THE ALLIED MOVEMENT

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 302, 19 August 1916, Page 2

THE ALLIED MOVEMENT

BRITISH STAND FIRM

ENEMY INFANTRY ADVANCE SIX TIMES. REPULSED WITH HEAVY LOSSES [BY FM-CTIUO TUM-dUAI'II —COI'YIIIOnX.] [Australran-N.Z. Cablo Association.'] London, August 18. Sir Douglas Haig reports: Tho enemy made most determined counterattacks with large forces on a broad front last night. Six times the German infantry advanced and withdrew after suffering most heavy Josses, our guns doing great execution. '1 no enemy "in no case succeeded in entering our lines. An enemy counter-attack to-day from Martiiipuich was repulsed. North-eastward of Bazenten we captured 100 yards of trenches. THE FRENCH ADVANCE. IMPORTANT PROGRESS RE-

PORTED. [Published in the London Times.] London, August 18. The Times correspondent at Paris says that one object of Thursday's French operations was to cut through tho Guillemont-Maurepas road in order to enable the British to turn Gnillemont from the south and the French to encircle Maurepas from the north.

A preliminary bombardment was begun on Sunday, the Germans firecely replying. Tho French were equally successful south of Maurepas, and are steadily ncaring the village of Lo Forest, iv tho centre of tho Maurepas plauteau.

South of the Somme there are difficulties. South of IBelloy the plateau as far as 'Chanlnes is reticulated with defences. The main position is Villers Carbonnel, on the Paris-Be'thune road, protecting the trenches carried.

Paris, August 17. Tbe Petit Parisien says that the French successes on tho Somme on Wednesday were not a surprise to the Germans, who were fully aware that the attack* was imminent, after a two days' "bombardment, but the German artillery was no match for tbe French. The French losses were not heavy.

Tho Germans still hold Gnillemont and a portion of Maurepas, thanks to the proximity of Combles,' which is a veritable fortress.

FIGHTING IN FLANDERS SIX WEEKS' CONFLICT.

London, August 17

Mr. Gibbs says that while Picardy is absorbing attention, our northern line is not having a quiet time. During the last six weeks there has been hardly a single night without raiding affairs round Yprcs, Hohenzollern, Givencby, and Neuvo Chapelle. There were brief, bloody visits towards the enemy.

The artillery on both sides was accelerated at some parts, especially opposing the Kemmel district, held by Canadians. The enemy seems to have withdrawn his'heavy guns and replaced them by quick-firing mortars, which hammered our trenches with fiery rage, but our mortars were heavier and immediately retaliated. The enemy's long-range guns also shelled villages fa rbehind the lines, killing civilians. The enemy must have suffered heavily in this northern sector. Our artillery daily keeps a steady and continuous fire, smashing entanglements and laying parapets flat. It has been six weeks of bombardment, raids and poison gas attacks. The enemy had the worst, though it was pretty bad for us, too. The Australians and Canadians have shared in the raids with the Britishers. A QUESTION OF TIME. SUCCESS LEADS TO SUCCESS. (Received August 19, 8.50 a.m.) New York, August 18.

The Paris correspondent of the New York Times says that as a result of Wednesday's success, Guilleiuont and Mauropas are under the Allied fire from three sides, and their capture is merely a question of time.