FURTHER GAINS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16308, 4 September 1918, Page 7

FURTHER GAINS.

SEVERAL ADDITIONAL VILLAGES TAKEN

PROGRESS WELL MAINTAINED.

FIFTH YEAR—35th DAY.

THE ALLIED ADVANCE.

CANADIANS BREAK HINDENBURG LINE. LARGE NUMBER OP PRISONERS TAKEN. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) i LONDON, September 2. The Canadians to-day broke through the Droeourt-Queant line, and are now in Dury (south-east of Eterpigny). The Drocourt-Queant switch line has been definitely smashed in two along a six-mile front. There was a heavy haul of prisoners. Le Transloy and St. Pierre Vaast Wood were captured. We reached Moislains and Allines on the Tortille. We have captured Noreuil (southwest of Queant) and Villers-au-Flos (north-east of Le Transloy). FRENCH OFFICIAL REPORTS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Beuter'a Telegrams.) LONDON, September 2. A French communique states:— "Wo gained a footing in the woods west of Coucy-le-Chateau and captured Crecy-au-Mort." "In the region of the Canal du Nord there was violent artillerying. He repulsed two counter-attacks against the village of Campagne. "In the region of the Ailette we made fresh progress in the woods west of Coucy-le-Chateau and east of Pont St. Hard."' (Received September 4th, 1.20 a.m.) LONDON, September 2. A French communique states:— "The troops who orossed the Canal du Nord yesterday near Nesle, advanced east of the canal and gained a footing on the western slopes of Hill 72. "Between the Ailette and the Aisne we continued on the plateau east of Crecy-ati-Mont and Juvigny. We captured Leuilly, Terny, and Sorny, despite furious resistance. We also advanced north of Oourcy." SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S REPORTS. LONDON, September 2, Sir Douglas Haig reports:— "The Welsh and East County troops on Sunday evening captured Sailly-Sail-lisel and Saillisel (north-east of Combles). . "After heavy fighting English troops have drawn nearer Le Transloy (south of Bapaume) and Noreuil (nortn-east" of Bapaume), where they took a number of prisoners. "The English and Scottish at nighttime captured Riencourt-lez-Cagnirourt (east of Croisilles) and positions to the southward, with hundreds of prisoners. "In the sector southward of the Scarpe the Canadians' and English attacked at 5 a.m., and ore reported to be making good progress. "In the Lys sector we reached the Lys river eastward of Estaires and captured Neuve Eglise." (Received September 4th, 12.20 a.m.) LONDON, September 2. Sir Douglas Haig imports: — "English and Canadians, accompanied by tanks, attacked astride the ArrasCambrai road, and carried on a wide front that portion of the powerful Dro-court-Queant line which lies southward of the Scarpe. The enemy strongly held the trenches, and determinedly resisted our advance.. This resistance was broken on the whole front with great enemy loss. . The Canadians captured Dury, Villera-les-Cagnicourt, and Cagnicourt; progressing beyond those places. "On the Canadian left the English fought their way forward north-east of Eterpigny. English and Scottish on the right advanced beyond Rein-court-les-Cagnicourt. "In the direction of Queant we captared many strongly fortified positions, including Noreuil. "Southwards we progressed, and early in the afternoon we repulsed heavy counter-attacks launched in great strength. *'Eastward of Vaulac Vraucourt the English reached the outskirts of Beugny, and captured Villers-au-Flos. "All day long there was sharp fighting in the neighbourhood of Le Transloy, where we repulsed counter-attacks and the English captured the village. "Between Saillisel and Peronne the English and Australians drove the enemy from St. Pierre-Yoast Wood. We captured Allaines and Haute Allaines. The Australians beat off the enemy with heavy losses in repeated counter-attacks east and south-east of Peronne. We took several thousand prisoners. "During the day our patrols progressed in the western outskirts of Lens. We continue to gain ground, keeping in close contact with the enemy on the Lys front." AMERICAN OFFICIAL REPORT. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Renter's Telegrams.) (Received September 4th, 1.20 a.m.) LONDON, beptember 3. An American communique states:— "We advanced rorthward of the Aisne despite strong resistance, and took the heights of Terny and Sorny.' GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Router's Telegrams.) Admiralty per Wirelew Press. (Received September 3rd, 7.20 p.m.) LONDON, September 2 (8 p.m.). A German official message states:—; "The enemy, northward of Hendecourt, after gaining ground in the direction of Lagnicourt, was driven back to Hendecourt. Wo repulsed an attack south-eastward of Bapaume, mainly directed against Villers-au-Flos. We pulled up the enemy on the linej

Sailly-St. Pierre Vaast "Wood, and eastward of Bouchavesnes and Mont St. Quentin. The enemy has occupied Peronne." (Received September 4th, 1.20 a.m.) LONDON, September 2. A German official message states: — "This evening the .English gained ground south-east of Arras and north of Peronne. The French attacked this afternoon between the Oise and tho Aisne." FRENCH CAPTURES. (Router's Telegrams.) (Received September 3rd, 7.20 p.m.) PARIS, September 2. An official report states:— "Since July 18th the French have captured 73,900 prisoners and 700 guns." THE CAPTURE OF NEUVE EGLISE. (Australinn., and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received September 3rd, 7.20 p.m ) LONDON, September 2. The capture of Neuve Eglise was mainly due to the British working round from the north, compelling its evacuation and allowing the Germans no rest. THE FIGHTING ROUND PERONNE. (Received September 3rd, 7.20 p.m.) LONDON, September 2. In the region of Peronne part of the Fourth Army attacked to-day. The German counter-attacks on Sunday against Mont St. Quentin were intended to stave off the renewed rush. While the Australians brilliantly recaptured positions on both sides of the mountain, including Feuillaucourt, others forced their way across the river southwards of the city despite the marshes, and reached the high ground beyond Peronne. Another unit took Anvil Wood, pushed through Peronne and Flamicourt, and attacked Bacquets and Flisques Woods. Many Germans were taken prisoner. They also had an unusual death list. The desperate effort to check the avalanche till safe behind the Hindenburg lite, is shown by the identification of some 23 divisions which have been thrown into the Somme front since the battle began, totalling well over 30 divisions used. Ludendorff, in an order captured, throws light 'on the raggedness of the German gunning, which is noticeable. I Throughout the order he speaks of t.he startling results of British gunning, which destroyed 13 per cent, of the German guns. He orders increased counter-battery work. ATTACK SOUTH~OF THE SCARPE. THE FLANDERS LINE. j (Received September 3rd, 9.40 p.m.) LONDON, September 2. The English and Canadians, at 6 o'clock this morning, attacked on a 25-mile front south of the Scarpe. The Canadians, after breaking through the switch line, are still advancing. At 3 o'clock in the afternoon the enemy were heavily counter-attacking south of Queant. Router's correspondent learns that the line in Flanders runs from Voolmezeele immediately west to Wulverghem, through Neuvo jLglise and Steenwerck,. to the east of Eataires and Lacouture. The German retirement is continuing. We have penetrated from the western edge of Etaing to the western edge of Sagnicourt, thence approaching Queant. AUSTRALIANS AND NEW ZEALANDERS IN SWITZERLAND. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received September 3rd, 7.20 p.m.) LONDON, September 2. A correspondent at Interlaken says that most of the Australians and New Zealanders there have made excellent progress. Several are learning tradas, and others aro studying and improving their education. They have plenty of amusement, but desire more newspapers. Amongst those now well are Corporal Best and Private Crawford (Aucklanders). DROCOURT-QUEANT LINE BROKEN BY CANADIANS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, September 2. Early this morning the Canadians attacked on a five-mile front astride the Arras-Cambrai road. They broke through the strong Drocourt-Queant line, despite the most stubborn resistance. Tanks played an important part. The Canadians penetrated Dury, also the western edge of Cagnicourt. Heavy fighting is proceeding for the high ground between Dury and Etaing (north of Dury), and possibly the front is pierced for four miles. Large numbers of prisoners from seven divisions were taken at Noreuil and Villers-au-Flos. We are nearing Beugny, which is not yet captured. The capture of Sailly-Saillisel is most important, for it is on the highest ground near the Somme, and commands the Tortillo river. If we can retain it the German position in the Tortille Valley may be critical. General Debeney's army yesterday captured Hill 77, east of Nesle. The Germans counter-attacked strongly and drove the French from tho crest. The French are fighting hard to recapture the position. SOMME BATTLE WON. LONDON, September 2. The United Press correspondent states that the latest battle of the Somme is definitely won. There remains only a little pressure here and there until Hindenburg's divisions are again all behind the Hindenburg line. The German counter-attacks about Peronne merely show that the Germans object to tho pace which the Australians are setting/ for if they accepted that pace it woiud mean invohing losses of thoaI sands instead of hundreds. Nobody

here believes in tlie invulnerability of the Hindonburg line. THE BRITISH FRONT. SEVERE FIGHTING. (Renter's Telcgranu.) LONDON, September 2. Renter's correspondent, writing on I Sunday evening from British Headquarters, stated: Yesterday saw fighting on the front of the British armies from north of Voormezcele (about three miles south of Ypres) to south of Peronne. On both flanks our troops advanced victoriously, while in the centre they bitterly contested a vast meshwork of defences guarding the Drocourt line. The battle round Bullecourt, though resulting only in slight territorial changes, has been particularly bitter. Early yesterday morning the attack here was resumed. A formidable station redoubt, which previously had been taken ant] lost, was recaptured, and the Londoners, advancing on a front of 2oooyds, supported by tanks, once ajpin brilliantly emphasised the long-accepted truth that, as a soldier, "Wie Cockney is second to none in the world. The Germans clearly anticipated the attack, for at dawn they opened tho heaviest barrage, of considerable depth. On the right another British division was fighting its way valiantly through the honeycombed defences of Eioust .and Longntte Loner nftrr the assaulting waves hid gained their objectives, the mopping-up parties unearthed machinegun burrows, many of which contained dismounted troopers of the Fifteenth Dragoons, which had been hurriedly thrown in to_ repine tho infantry. This is an indication of tho serious shortage of German reserves. THE AUSTRALIANS AT PERONNE. LONDON, September 2. The story of the .Australian success around Peronne is a splendid one. Between August 29th and 31st tho troops covered seven miles and a half on a front of three miles. The frontal crossing of tho river was abandoned, owing to the strength of the enemy and the marshy gronnd Tho Germans fully expected an attack upon Peronne from the river, and all dispositions were made with a view to a. frontal resistance. A cleverly executed turning movement surprised the Germans and threw them into confusion. 0"r casualties wore amazingly small, working out at. one-tenth tho number that wo took prisoner The tnited Press correspondent says ; that ten connter-attaeks pushed the Australians back on the Mont St. Quennanic, hut the summit was held, and the Australians recaptured tho flank positions and won further ground. DETER HfINFT) NEW ZEALANDERS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Associoit-on.) m. rr -, LONDON, September 2. United Press correspohdent says that the New Zealanders, after their marvellous advance to the edge of Bapaume refused to consider a proposition that they should be relieved before the city was actually taken. THE CAPTURE OF JTTVIGNY. LONDON, September 2. The Americans' capture of Juvigny was a remarkable exploit. The town lay on the further slope of a hill Two parties crawled along the shell-pits and over tho crest, and got near the town before they were observed. Thoy rushod tho town, in which there were 1000 Germans. Thero was fierce bayonet fighting The attack resulted in the capture of 250 prisoners. All tho rest were either killed or wounded. ("The Times.") "The Times" correspondent at the American Headquarters reports:— A picturesque feature of the fighting at Juvigny was the galloping up of a largo force of American artillery in the nick of time to prevent Germany from saving her heaviest guns. This was a fine example of rapid fighting, supplementing and pushing the advance by scores of inacnine-guns, which swept the fugitives with deadly effect. Tho artillery laid down a triple barrage, covering wide stretches of fields, woods, and well-wired trenches, on which the enemy specially rolied. Tho infantry, following the barrage, captured the guns and prisoners. The French tanks smartly assisted in cleaning up tho outlying machine-gun nests. The Germans have retreated beyond Terny, with the Americans at their heels. ALLIES' CAPTURES FOR SIX WEEKS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) PARIS, September 2. Between July 16th and August 31st the Allies captured:— 128,000 prisoners. 2089 guns. 1734 mine-throwers. 13,700 machine-guns. THE AUSTRALIANS' RECORD IN PRISONERS. LONDON, September 2. Mr Philip Gibbs statos that between ' August 26th and 31st the Australians took ten times more prisoners than the whole Australian casualties. This is a record for the present war. The Australians took 3600 prisoners at Peronne. GERMAN OFFICERS IN , DISGRACE. AMSTERDAM. September 2. One hundred and fifty senior German officers, ranging from generals to colonels, have been relieved of their commands on the Western front. The Crown Prince of Germany and Prince Rupprecfit of Bavaria, aro not likely to ' return to the Western front for a long ! time. Prince Rnpprecht is living in a chateau in Bavaria, and the Crown Prince Wilhelm is at Potsdam. ENEMY'S MAN-POWER LONDON, September 2. Facts ascertained regarding the enemy's man-power show that there are 196 divisions on the battlefront now,' compared with 204 when the offensive began. The enemy has been compelled to break up eight divisions for drafts to replace losses. He has also broken up several assault battalions, and has reduced battalions to three companies instead of four in at least eight divisons. Only two Austrian divisions are on the West front, and their fighting capabilities and quality are doubtful. Obviously the enemy's man-power situation is not good. It is significant that ho has made several changes in his High Command. Two army commanders have beon retired, and the Crown Prince has wisely been deprived of half his army corps, which have been transferred to von Boehm. r GERMANS CROPS HARVESTED. ("The Times.") LONDON, September 2. Mr Perry Robinson states that the Allied troops have garnered Gorman crops in the recaptured territories. ANOTHER FIENDISH INVENTION. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) NEW YORK, September 2. Mr Charles T. Crasty cables from Paris that he learns from a military source that the Germans have invented and are now using small quantities of gas, which completely destroys the eyesight.