THE LATEST-PRESSING THE ENEMY HARD

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 289, 26 August 1918, Page 5

THE LATEST-PRESSING THE ENEMY HARD

SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S TRIBUTE TO NEW ZEALANDERS

AND AUSTRALIANS

(Kec August 26, 0.25 a.m.)

London, August 25, 1.20 a.m. Sir Douglas Haig roports--"Thero has been onteinuous fighting on the battlefront north of the Sommo since early in the morning. We aro pressing the enemy hard everywhere, and allowing him no rosriilc- Wo have made progress on the whole front on which wo aro atiacifiuji; in spite of the arrival of considerable hostile reinforcements. Numbers of prisoners .Mid quantities of material of every description have fallen into our hands. The Australians shortly after midnight, attacking along tho north bank of tho Somnie, captured Bray-sur-Suinme, securing a number of prisoners, and continuing their advance with great ekill and initiative, carried tho enemy's positions in this neighbourhood. On their left the London and East County troops made further progress at night along the high ground south-east, of Albert, taking several hundred prisoners. On 'the right centre tho Welsh and North Country troops advanced over the old Sommo 1916 battlefield about La Boissalle, Orvillers, . Mouquot Farm, Thicpval, and Grandcourt. AVe captured all these strongly-defended localities in faco of determined resistance, taking over a thousand prisoners. Our troops aro again astride the Thior-val Ridge, advancing eastwards. On the left centre tho East Lancashirss were heavily engaged nil day long about Miraumont, where the enemy held out with great stubbornness until t!io village was gradually outflanked l:y our advancing columns. The New Zealand Attack. "Northwards of tlie village tho New Zealand Division in tho centre of the attack struck in the direction of Bapaume, and advancing with irresistiblo dash and determination, carried the defences of Loupart Wood. Pressing forward with great gallantry, they captured Grevillers and Biefvillcrs, and reached Avcsnes-les-Bapaume, on the outskirts of Biipaume. On the flank of this attack the English took possession of Irles, in tho direction of Sapiegnies, overcoming strong resistance at Irles and eastward of Bilmcourt. On the left of tho battlefront the English and Scottish divisions and the Guards p.re fighting on tho Mory-Croisellcs-Neuville. Vitasse 'front, and have captured Saint Leger, Heninsur, Cojeul, and a hill to the eastward. The letter's captures hare not yet been estimated. On the remainder of the British front successful local actions occurred. North of the Scarpe we captured a section of tho German front line north-east of Fampoux. North or tho La 13assee Canal we captured the old British lino east and north-east of Givenchy, and made progress into the German positions, and secured all objectives.' Our patrols occupied No.uf Berquin at night-time, whero a number of German dead were found. We advanced our line during tho morning a mile on the front northward of Bailleul. Our artillery crushed an enemy counter-at-tack."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Reuter. THE WAR IN THE AIR GOOD WORK IN THE GREAT BATTLE. ~. . London, August 23. Sir Douglas Haig's special aviation report states: "The thick mist prevented the aeroplanes taking part in the early stage of tho attack north of the Ancro on Thursday, but when the weather cleared their participation became active. The airmen attacked hostile troops and transput from low altitudes with bombs and machine-guns, and scattered ammunition wagous and marching columns. In soveral cases they silenced guns which were hring on our tanks by means of bombs and machine-gun firo from the air. Wo dropped twelve tons of bombs during tho day, and destroyed twenty-one aeroplanes. Eight British machines arc missing. Our night-bomber's dropped 25} tons on different targets. Tho Cambrni and Marcoing stations wore heavily attacked, also a number of railway bridges and lines, aorodro.mes and billets. Wo broke down the Aubigny bridge on tho Douai-Cambrai Boad."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Asßii.-lleutor. "A BUSY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY." (Roc. August 25, 5.5 p.m.) London, August. 24. ' Sir Douglas Haig's aviation report states: "We had a busy mid successful day on August 2!>. Our airmen constantly harassed the euoaiy. , Wβ droppod twenty-five tons of bombs, and attacked the Gomlecourt aerodrome with good effect, as well as many dumps, stations, bridges, and the Bruges clocks. AVo destroyed twenty aeroplanes and drove down four out of coutrol. ThreeBritish 'planes are missing. Our night bombers dropped nineteen ions on selected targets, including tho railway junctions at Valenciounos. Souain, Douai, and Cambrai. All our machines returned."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.Reuter. J ' AIRMEN AND TANKS IN CO-OPEBATION. (E«c. August 26, 0.20 a.m.) ! P . t, , . , London, August 24. oil' Douglas Hwg s aviation report states: "Our low-flycrs constantly machine-gunned and bombed tho German infantry, wagons, stud guns, throwing them into confusion. Also in co-operation with tho tanks, they silenced the enemy's batteries, which were impeding ouv advance. Wo raided' tho aerodrome- at Ca.ntin, and set on fire several hiuigars, also using our mach-ine-guns. Wo shot down an enemy machine. All ours returned. A total of twenty-fivo tons of bombs was dropped during tho day. Wβ destroyed fourteen machines, and drove down three- others out of control. Four of ours aro missing. Wo dropped five tons of bombs at night-time. During the last fortnight, 82S German aeroplanes have beeu "Drought down, 134 driven down out of control, 31 bnllpons onvo been shot down, and 594 tons of bombs dropped."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. WITH THE FRENCH BOMBING SQUADRONS London, August '3. A I'rench official report states: "AVo dropped thirtyifour tons of bombs during the day in tho regio.i of Chauiiy, Margival, Vauxaillon. and Anizy-le-Cliatean, and during the night dropped twenty-eight tons on the railway stations at Thionville, Conflaiis, and Meziores, aud also in the battle zone .Numerous bursts on objectives were observed, and fires wero caused at the stations of Conlliiius, Hani, Griscard, Chauny, Thionville, Tliiancoiirt aud Pontavert. The Germans bombed Dunkirk last night with shells of groat calibre and seven civilians were killed and one injured.—Aus.-N.Z. Cabh AssnRenter. IMPORTANT ATTACK BY BIG SQUADRON. (Eec. August 25, 5.5 p.m.) ~.,,_., , , ; London, August 24. A Irench official report states: "There was much aeroplaning yesterday owing to the favourable weather. Numerous reconnaissances were made far into the enemy's lines. AVe Drought down fourteen aeroplanes. Our bombers during the daytime dropped eighteen tons of bombs on tho enemy's troops aud convoys. Our activity was not relaxed at night, when twenty-live tons of bombs wore dropped on tho stations at Laon' and Ham, causing fires. "Ah expedition of groat force attacked the important cerodroine at Mars-10-Tour. The first of the bombs caused firee in the hangars and huts and, aided by tho light of tho flames, the romaining aeroplanes bombed other hangars and huts, as well as the personnel of numerous machines on tho ground. Altogether forty-threo tons of explosives wero , employed yes-terday."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Heirf-er. i BRITISH ATTACKS ON GERMAN TOWNS ™ r,r . . . ~T . , London, August ,23. _ Hie Air Ministry reports: "In spite of the enemy's determined protective efforts, exercised by large numbers of aeroplanes and an increased number of anti-aircraft guns, wo heavily attacked five important German towns and five aerodromes. Wβ attacked Frankfort, and Cologne on Wednesday night with very good results. Bombs landed all around the stations and barracks. AVe also .successfully attacked tho Treves railway junction. AVo heavily bombed four aerodromes, and hit many hangars. AVe attacked tho chemical factories at Mannheim on Thursday morning, and successfully bombed our objective. The fiercest fighting occurred on the return journey as tli3 result of which five British machines are missing."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-lleuter. FURTHER EXCURSIONS BY THE INDEPENDENT AIR FORCE (Rec. August 26, 0.20 a.m.) Ti r ir'i v ,™ , ', ~ London, August 24. file Air Ministry reports,: "AVo dropped eight tons of bombs on Thursday night on the aerodrome at Folsporsweiler, setting on fire several large sheds and hangars. AVe attacked the chemical works at Saaralbe (?), with excellent results. lures aud explosions wero caused. AVe bombed on Friday the aerodrome at liuhl, and the railway junction at Treves. Several bursts wero observed at the station and on the railway. All our machines returned in spite ot thunderstorms. Last night we raided an aerodrome and the railway junction at Ehrange, causing a fire and considerable damage to tho latter"-' Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Rcuter. , . " ■ HEAVY DAMAGE AT FRANKFORT. (Rec. August 25, 11 p.m.) „,. , . ; , Copenhagen, August 24. Berlin reports states that no people were killed in the Frankfort air raid, but material damage is heavy. Fivo wero killed at Cologuo and a number of private buildings destroyed.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. COMMENT ON THE SITUATION ENEMY'S SOUTHERN FLANK THREATENED.

London, August 22. Tho .Australian Proas Association's correspondent state?: "Our forces on tlio Ancro sector havo now advanced practically to tho lino of tho AlbertArras railway, and t.lio enemy's right Hank on the Anere-Thiepval l{idgo is already threatened. Tho enemy's retirement may Lα tho preliminary to a withdrawn! on n morn extended sealo,\snoh as ho undertook early in 1017 to tho Hindenburg line, tl is noteworthy that the attacks of tho Tenth French Army on the, O'iso-Aisno front and tho Third British Army south of Arras completely surprised the enemy, which says much for the efficiency of our present tactical methods. The harmonious working of a French army under Sir Douglas Haig's orders is a tribute, to tho value of the unified command and the confidence tho French placo in liaig. It is too early yet to say what effect the advance between tho Aisno and tlio Oiso will have upon the situation, but it evidently constitutes a serious throat to the enemy positions north of tlio Aisno, and :'f continued further will outflank tho whole German lino on tho Aisno ami the Vcsle, and nlso threaten his line west of Hie Oisc. The total prisoner; t.iltou between the Oiso and tho Aisno from Sunday to Tuesday is over ton thousand, while ihe French losses aro reported to bo small."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

— _l CO-ORDINATION VINDICATED. ! rm. . . London, August 23. ; The newspapers, reviewing the we>k's fighting, comment on the porfeot ! \s un armles uuder Genoral Fooh.—Aus-N.Z. Cable j OPINION IN AMERICA I ' I •is w ■<- , ~m- „ New Y«l*i August 23. ' .10 \ork "Times," commenting on llio British offensive, says: i '..cneral Haig s new offensive is plainly the counterpart of his late brilliant ' Mr.vo further south Tho new drive was begun in fog. What has been accora- i j.Mcisa is not yet fullv reported. General Dyng is moving with cliaraotcrißi.io Kjx-ad in ,\m direction of Hnpnumo. General Foch's plan is evidently to ; keep■ t.'io Or-niwns moving, iind not to allow them to select winto- quarters." • I Iho Mv \onc "Iribunte" says: "General Byng Las had a chance to j coino back at the Germans. He was unable to repeat his first day's success at 1 Umbrai but nevertheless ho shook tho German lino at a critical point, mak- > ing more than over likely a German retreat."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. • ■ "THE HUN IS DESPERATELY ENGAGED" .... ■; OLEAN, SWIFT BLOWS BY THE BRITISH. ' (B'ec. August 25, 5.5 p.m.) ' j nr t> ■i ™ •«• • London, August 24. I . Mr. Percival Phillips writes: "Tlio swaying front extends for more than ; thirty miles between Arras and Chaulnos, across two rivers, with scarred i lillsidos on their flanks. The Hun is desperately ongaged, and is losing tho ' last battle of the boinmo scries. Our clean, swift blows have shaken two Ger- i man armies. I hey were well-planned blows, aimed at vulnerable parts of the j Oernian machino, not a sudden thirty-mile wide thrust, requiring the utmost ! energy, but a calm, unhurried thriisthero, and thrust there, with economy i of man-power, and gradually increasing pressure extending to its limit until it embraces more than the old Somme battlefield. The enemy is fighting blindlv i mid desperately, losing blood at every blow, and hoping that each attack will ! bo tho chinas of the British counter-offensive."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. ; "An Air of Incipient.Demoralisation." i "There is'marked confusion in tho forward organisation of both the Ger- ; man armies. Troops have been flung in without definite orders or obiec- ' tives, battalions split into fragments by shell fire drifted in different di- ' rections, hindering instead of holping the broken units they had been'sent to i relieve. They have- already lost an unusually largo proportion of officers, and ! are still losing guns. Altogether an air of incipient demoralisation pervades ' the enemy."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. • i ENEMY OUTFLANKED ON THE AISNE AND THE VESLE ! MANGO'S ARMY ON THE OHEMIN-DES-DAMES. j (Roc. August 25, 5.5 p.m.) i ■ „ i » • •,. , Parl9 i August 24. : Ueneral Mangin continues to make important progress.' Eastward of tho ' Oise we outflanked the enemy's positions on tho Aisno and the Veslo General ■ Maugm s army is now posted on tho Ohomin-des-Danies ridge. Tlie enemy is : carrying out a general retreat. Gonoral do Beney, in an order of the day to the ' I'rench First Army, says: "The battle is won. Side by side with the British 1 wo have broken tlio enemy's front, and liberated to a depth of 15} miles this : sacred and beloved French soil, bc-aten sixteen German divisions, taken ten j thousand prisoners, and captured 220 giuis and an enormous quantity of < material."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Aesn. | A GERMAN COMMUNIQUE DISSECTED j BRITISH CASUALTIES LESS THAN GAPTUKES' OF' i PRISONERS. j t (Rcc. August 25, 5.5 p.m.) '■ London, August 23. ! llio Australian Press Association correspondent states: "There is little to report this morning, tho fluid nature of the fighting making it difficult to ; tell how the operations are proceeding. Late last night our fine in the Eoyo : soctqr showed certain slight advancos. Contrary to ycsterdayls German com- ! muuiques, the British Third Army's attack began on August 21, with com- \ ploto success, all the objectives being taken. Tho Germans, instead of defend- ■ ing their front positions, retired, losing three thousand in prisoners. • The j onemy's casualties in killed and wounded are far heavier still, whereas our : total casualties ai'o fewar than the number of Prisoners captured bv us."— ■ Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ; SIX THOUSAND PRISONERS IN THREE DAYS j t BITTER BATTLE FOR THE POSSESSION OF ALBERT, ■ ! ' v ßeo. August 26, 5.5 p.m.) : London, August 23. Tho United Press correspondent states: "Six thousand prisoners have been taken in three days during tho course of the British advance. This number includes upwards of a thousand prisoners who wero taken before noon to- ' day, and also a thousand on Thursday. Southward of the Sonime tho Germans were surprised at m.iny points. In the latter region Sir Douglas Haig \ quickly secured the high ground in the south, including the towns of Cruignes, -] Herleville, and Chuiguoles. The Germans elsewhere were only overpowered j after fierce fighting. The British lines now reach Boyelles, Hameliticourt, and ; Gomiecourt. Here maaiy were captured in the first rush. , ; Tho Fight for Albert. ; A bitter battlo preceded tho captureof filbert. Before victory was achior- j ed it was necessary to wipe out ;i-multitude of machine-gun emplacements ! which had been formed from the wreckage of the houses.. A famous church ; from which tho figures of the Madonna and child had liung suspended for a : long time is now a- striking monument of tho Huns' destructiveness. Tho sight : which greeted the Tommies when they were pouring in on Thursday was this ' rained church, levelled to the height of the other 'ruins round about. Tho • Germane tonacionsly clung io the position, which had cost them so much to \ attain, and it was only givou up after the dead littered the broken piles of ; brick and stone throughout tho city. We took 750 prisoners here, including a j battalion commander and his ttaff. The oity was attacked fron two sides. While the brief haze- of the morning lasted tho infantry crossed tho Ancre to i tho southward, and took up their position in roar of the oity. Then the forces j holding tho railway on the wostern edge poured out, striking the city in n frontal attack. Shortly after 10 o'clock the enomy's desperate resistance end- ; ed. Our divisions further south were nblo to use. their tanks advaatageously, [ working up the exposed vlopo to take tho measure of the eno'iiy, and after severe fighting pushing the Germans out of tho so-called 'Happy Valley. , Mean- j while the British had carried the new lino around to the northward of Bray,- ' taking 200 prisoners after hard fighting, and bringing up the' total for the I first ten hours to 1500. There was furious fighting elsewhere. Boauregard j Dovecote'changed hands five times."—Aus.-N.Z. Cnblo Assn. ___ I i HOW AMERICA HELPED IN THE VICTORY - : (Reo. August 25, 11 p.m.) . '. Ottawa, August 24. ' Sir Robert Borden (the Canadian Prime Minister), who is returning from the Imperial War Cabinet meeting, states thnt the arrival of the United ' States troops freed tho AUied commanders from the necessity of remaining ■ on the defensive The victory of the last few weeks would have been im- ' possible unless the American reserves had been available. Most effective and harmonious co-operation existed between the United States, Britain,' and ' France. Tho Canadians captured ten thousand prisoners in their recent advance, and one hundred and fifty cannon. The mastery of the air was rapidly passing to the Allies.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ; 1,500,000 AMERICANS OVERSEAS. . j (B«3. August 25, 5.5 p.m.) ' : Washington, August 24. i United States troops overseas now number a million and a holf.--Aus.- ! N.Z. Cable Assn. \ GERMANS ADMIT FACTS ABOUT AMERICAN STRENGTH AT '" THE FRONT Amsterdam, August 23. Gorman military authorities officially admit tho accuracy of Mr. N. D. | Baker's figures that" 1,200,000 Americans are in Franco; that 700.000 of those aro fighting troops, and 400,000 are already at tho front.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable ] Assn. : ;