FRESH GAINS IN THE WEST

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2870, 7 September 1916, Page 5

FRESH GAINS IN THE WEST

SPLENDID RESULTS OF LATEST THRUST THE FLANkING MOVE ON THIEPVAL The High Commissioner reports:- g The Britisli official report says: "Our gains at Guillernont were increased durin"- the, night, despite desperate resistance by the enemy. For 1500 yards to the eastward wo have obtained a footing in Lauzo Wood. Southwards, the whole of the enemy's strong system of defence on, a front of 1000 yards at Fallemont is ours. The whole of the enemy's remaining second lino of defence from Mouquet Farm to the point of our junction with tho French is also ours." SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S REPORT. (By Telegraph—Press Association—<>r.yright). Australian-New Zealand Oablo Association. (Rec. September 6, 6.50 p.m.) London, September 6. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "Wo continue to advauce, and are in full possession of all the ground between Fallemont Farm and Lonzo Wood, and between the latter and tlie outskirt of Ginchy.' In Tuesday's fighting wo Further strengthened our position in Lensie Wood, the greater part «f which we hold." .FRENCH OFFICIAL -COMMUNIQUE. London, September ( o. A French official communique states: "There is continued bad weather. , Wo; are organising the ground gained. A strong counter-attack between Comblcs and Le Forest broke down, and attacks elsewhere were repulsed." • (Rec. Septomber 6, 0.10 p.m.) , : ■---_' ' Paris, September 6. 'A French official communique states: "We have made important progress eastward of Le Forest, and north-eastward of Clery, and have.also captured tho village of Ommiscourt, thus picking up positions north and south of the Sonimc.' We repulsed repeated massed attacks on the Barleux and Santerre sectors, inflicting sanguinary losses. We havo taken prisoner'■ 55 officers and 3902 men southward of the Sonime since Tuesday. The total ■number of prisoners who have been captured siqce September 3 north and south of tho Sonime is 6650, and 36 guns, of wh.ich 38. were heavy guns." (Rec. September-6, 9.40 p.m.) .Paris, September 6. A French official communique states':—"There was a series of brilliant combats northwards of the Sonime on Tuesday. Our troops, showing irresistible dash, seized, north-eastward, of Ciery the extremity of the hill which is traversed by. the Bouchavesnes-Cleiy Road. Wo 'have captured since September 3, in the northern sector, 24 heavy and eight light guns, a large depot of shells, a captive balloon, and many machine-guns. The battle southward of tho Somme has been waged with extreme violence. Despite the enemy's repeated onslaught, wo maintained all our positions, carried a line of trenches . eastward of Soyccourt, and reached the outskirts of Denieconrt Park. There is a strong cannonade in the Fleury-Ohenois sectors." HIGH COMMISSIONER'S .REPORT. . ' „ ■ ■ : • London, September 5, 2.55 p.m. The French official report states:'"Had weather continues on tho Somme. A German couuter-attack on Anderlu Wood failed, with heavy los«es to the enemy. South of the Somme the Germans' attempt to regain a point on our front east of Belloy-en-Santerre was repelled. We took 100 prisoners." GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. London, Septenibor 5. A German official communique states: "Hot lighting occurred between Lc Forest and the Somme. The storming attacks' on a twenty-kilo-metre .front from Barleux to Chilly were resisted. Wo have lost Chilly'. Wo repulsed the French at Souvillo, and east of Fletiry." RESULTS OF THE BATTLE REVIEWED MOST BRILLIANT ADVANCE SINCE JULY 1. ' (Rec. September "fi, 5.30 p.m.) ! London, September 5. The Anglo-French military exports regard tho battle of. Sunday and Monday as tlio most brilliant since July 1. Seven thousand prisonors wore captured. Even von Hindenburg, who had just completed an inspection of the Somme front, describes the' battle as being on a great scale, and of great violence. Von Hindenburg's frenzied reception on tho Somme put a new spirit into the defenders, but they were unable to cope with the doggedness of tlio Britisli and the dash of the French. Unlike the battle on July 1, there was no element of surprise. Owing to the- enforced lull, duo to tho bid weather, von Gallwitss was able to bring up considerable reinforcements of troops and material. The Germans l even attempted to forestall the Allies' attack, hut wero ignominious!}' defeated. The weather twice forced I lie Anglo-French commanders to postpone operations. The advance commenced upou a front of 18i miles as the crow Hies, but actually 29i miles as the trenches run. The British attacked at dawn, and the French at midday, five hourß later. Every objective was gained. The capture of' Guillemont meant the taking of the greatest German stronghold on the Somme, which, with Thiepval is tho«key to the positions on the German line. The Fifth Brandenburg Division, which made a name for itself at Dniiaimiont, defended the Giiillfimont sector foot by foot'. One detachment hold out in a small fort on the Cqmbles Road until its ammunition had been exhausted. 'Dm British forced the fort, ten of tho defenders being alivo. Tho ' Germans' desperate efforts to recover the lost positions, and six counter-attacks, wore brokon by.tfie Allied innchino-guns. The situation is still mora satisfactory on the French front.

• The problem at Thiepval. 'Die greatest difficulties were encountered in the Thiepval'region, where the German communiques continue to record full-blooded infantry attacks. ! These are untrue. Since the failure of the attack north of the Ancro early in July, Sir Douglas Haig has refrained from frontal attacks on Thiepval, grudging the loss of life, and has been content with a flank advance, which will eventually force tlio Germans at Thiepval to surrender. Tho recent British operations were aimed at turning the enemy's position at Beaumont rlaniel, and accordingly tlioy advanced on the road running west along the edge of Thiepval. Tins advance is still blocked by German field works near Mouquct Farm, and until these have been taken the Germans will hold Thiepval. Sir Douglas Haig is of opinion that nothing will be gained by extending the bulgo at High Wood, until the rest of. the line has advanced, but the capturo of Guillemont was essential. It is the most conspicuous success since the capture of Pozieres by tho Anzaes. A particularly brilliant opisode was the capture of Fallemont Farm, which stands on a spur overlooking and commanding Combles. The seizure of this position greatly strengthens the French position, while tho capture of Clory paveß the way to the crossing of tho Sommc towards Peronne.