BRITISH SUCCESS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3167, 18 August 1917, Page 7

BRITISH SUCCESS

SPLENDID ATTACK BY THE CANADIANS : • CAPTURE OF LANGEMARCK MR. LLOYD GEORGE ON THE OUTLOOK AMAZING EFFORT BY THE SHIPBUILDERS 1917 TONNAGE WILL REACH 1,900,000 The new British attack in Flanders has developed and extended north and south of Ypres. The Canadians have captured Laugeinarck. Mr. Lloyd George, in a. statement in Parliament, says that this latest attack will not partake of the nature of a prolonged operation. Further French successes are also reported in the dispatches to-dny. On the Russo-Ruman-ian front, the Rumanians have effected a strategical retirement to a new defenco line. The enemy's offensive in the direction of Foesani has been resumed. A Turkish offensive, with the co-operation of the Kurds, has been initiated in the Caucasus, but the first y ad-rance has been checked, except at one point. In the House of Commons Mr. Lloyd George has delivered an encouraging speech, on the general situation. The most interesting points of the speec hare those which relate to our food supply and ship construction. The present condition and prospects of the food supply pint to a substantial margin over tho danger-limit. In the matter of ship construction tho.achievement has been remarkable. No fewer than 1,900,000 tons of now shipping is tho certain prospect for the 1017 effort. This, together with the American programme, says Mr. Lloyd George, removes the worst bogey of the submarine war, the losses from which, he points out, indicate a diminishing rate per month.

NEW THRUST BY THE BRITISH ON THE YPRES FRONT CAPTURE OF LANGEMARCK (Bj Telegraph—Presi Awooi&tion—Copyright). i London, August 16. Si." I/.iuglas Haig i-eports: "The Allies at 4.45 this morning again attacked on a. wide front east and north of Ypres. Heavy fighting resulted, and we are making progress at all points in spite of the enemy's stubborn resistance. AVe repulsed three more counter-attacks last night against our new positions ou the Lens battlefront. Our artillery broke up a concentration near Cite St. Auguste."—AuSiN.Z. Cable Assu.-Eeiiter. LATEST REPORT ON THE BATTLE (Rec. August 18, 0.45 a.m.)

London, August 1". Sir Douglas Haig reports: "Tho Allied attack on a. front of nine miles northward of 'the Ypres-Menin Road continued all day long, in tho face of strong resistance. The French, on the left, advanced astride tho Zuygschootc-Dijcruude Koad, cleared a tongueof land between,the Yeer Canal and Mart Jennnrt, and captured the bridgehead at Driegraschten. Tho British centre rapidly captured its first objectives. It carried Langomarck after heavy fighting, and advanced half a mile beyond, establishing itself in tho German trench system, the day's final objective There was fierce and continuous fighting on the right for tho high ground northward of tho Menin lioad. The enemy repeatedly and heavily coun-ter-attacked, and pressed us back from part of tho ground which we had won earlier in the day. Our artillery in the evening broke 'the enemy's counterattacks in this neighbourhood. Eighteen hundred prisoners, taken in. this attack, have already kfcen brought in.

"We have mado fresh progress eastward of Loos. Wβ havo taken S?6 prisoners since yesterday on. this front. Our aeroplanes effectively co-operated in yesterday's battle, using their machine-guns on counter-attackers. We. brought down twelve of the enemy's machines, and drove down four. Three of ours are missing. Excellent aeroplane work was done to-day."—Ams.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Beuter.

DETAILS OF THE OPERATIONS A PRUSSIAN GUARDS DIVISION ANNIHILATED. London, August 16. t The new British blow in, the Ypre.g region extends from the Polygon Wood to the junction of the British and French on. a front of oix miles. The French attacked simultaneously, and brilliantly supported Sir Douglas Haig's left. The French right had already crossed the Steenbek Stream, and was still advancing, and their left gained all its objectives. Prisoners are coming in, and the British advance continues. The Irish are performing wonders, men of Ulster fighting side by side with South of Ireland soldiers. Sir Douglas Haig keeps Prince Buppreoht guessing, by shifting iike a master lioxer in Hie ring. The enemy is desperately holding out in Lens, where there was heavy fighting all day. The Canadians last night crushed the Germans like flies, and had bloodily repulsed ten counter-attacks by 9 o'clock, when the enemy broke off the fight. The Fourth (Guards) Division was practically annihilated as it marched into Lens, into which only a narrow nock leads across open country, which is swept by the British artillery and machine-guns.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Afsn. THE CAPTURE OF HILL 70 GERMANS HUNTED LIKE RABBITS. (Kec. August 17, 5.5 p.m.) London, 'August 16. The "Petit ParisienV correspondent, describing the capture of Hill 70, writes: "Driven back by; bayonets and grenades, the Bodies scattered among the miners' dwellings, mine shafts, and cellars, tho openings of which bristled with machine-guns. The Canadians' dash was irresistible. In half an hour three groups of dwellings had been stormed, a.nd those who wore not killed fled. Another village, whero machine-guns were massed, was the scene of fierce fighting. The enemy launched a series of powerful counter-attacks. The Canadians' success was the more meritorious because they attacked the enemy's newlyarrived and Tested troops. Tie Germa.ns are forced to realise that the British are now strong onough to attack wherever, whenever, and however they wish." —United Service. FRENCH SUCCESSES IN FLANDERS AND ON THE AISNE MARKED PROGRESS ON BRITISH LEFT. London, August 1C A French' ofccwl '-ommunique states: After violent artillery preparation, we attacked at dawn in conjunction with the British on our right. The infantry, with superb clan, assaulted the enemy positions rn both sides of the Slcen'straato-Dixmude road, carrying all their objectives. They ■ crossed tho Steenbek River, jnnking progress on the right bank in contact with tho vigorous attack of the British. "South of Ailles we carried a solid enemy trench system en a front of 1000 yards. . Four .enemy counterattacks- were onsily repulsed. —Aus.-N.Z. ."Vble Assn.Eeuter. . i (Eec. August 18, 0.45 a.m.) A French official communique stafes:_"i n Belgium our itfTiV w« S eJrpsq fully continued. Our infantry broke tho. enemy's riietanwUWstonbira progressing in conjunction with the British, captured all tho enemy's positions. Considerable material was captured. Ino artillery on both sides i« active in the regions of Laffaux and Hurtebise. The Germans set fire to St. Quentin .dihedral, which has been burning for several hours."-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-lieuter. FRENCH COMMENT ON THE BATTLE "FALL OF LENS IMMINENT." Paris, 'August 18. The "Matin ' .states that, the impetuous assault of the British was the most violent witnessed for ten months past. The merciless violence- of the fight and its swiftness explain the small number of men oaptured. The few prisoners takon were completely exhausted and depressed. They belong to old cla«6es, and many of them had been invalided early in the war. the "Petit Journal" says: ; "lf the British attacks north of Lens are continued the fall of Lens is imminent."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aebß.