The Picardy Battle.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, Issue 260, 19 October 1916, Page 5

The Picardy Battle.

British Advance Towards Bapaume. French Hold all Their Gains. [PRESS ASSOCIATION COPYRIGHT.] [high oommissioner’b message.] (Received 19, 8.10 a m.) London, October 18. General Haig reports: Notwithstanding the rain, we progressed at a point between the Albert-Bapaume road aruf Lesboeufs, taking some prisoners. TRENCH RAIDS AND AERIAL ATTACKS. SEVEN BRITISH AEROPLANES MISSING. [AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION. ] London, October 18. Sir Douglas Haig reports: We bombarded the enemy in the neighbourhood of Neuville St. Vaast (north of Arras), Wytchhaete (south of Ypres), and north eastward of Ypres. Our aeroplanes bombed the enemy’s’ railway lines, stations, billets, factories and depots. Three enemy machines were destroyed and another driven down. Anti-aircraft guns brought down a British aeroplane. Six others have not returned. FRENCH BREAK VIOLENT COUNTER-ATTACKS. ALL GAINS MAINTAINED. [AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.] Paris, October 18. A communique states: —Two fresh attacks eastward of Belloy-en-Santerre were- completely repulsed with heavy enemy loss. [high commissioner’s message.] (Received 19, 10.5 a.m.) London, October 18. A Frefich official report says:—North of the Somme, yestereve, the enemy renewed attempts on Sailly Saillisel. Three attacks were broken successfully. The enemy suffered sensible losses- All our gains were maintained intact. South of the Somme, the Germans attacked this morning eastward of Berney-en-Santerre. Portions of our advanced - trenches were penetrated, but the enemy was immediately thrown back bv a counter-attack. The enemy retired in disorder, and was' caught by our barrage fire, many being killed. We penetrated trenches, taking prisoners at Fresnieres, south-east of Reims.