The French Advance.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, Issue 261, 20 October 1916, Page 5

The French Advance.

Importance of Sailly Saillisel. Last Natural Stronghold Before Cambrai [PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.] '.Received 20, 9.5 a.m.) London, October 19. Saiiiy Saillisel is the key to the position on the crest of the ridge dominating St. Pierre Vaast. Heaviest fighting for the village has been continuous since Sunday evening. Sailly Saillisel is the last natural stronghold on the edge of the plain north-east to Cambrai, east of Bapaume. Everypossible had been done to elaborate the defence of the The Germans crowded as much of the garrison as the ruined buildings and cellars would hold. [austhaijan and new Zealand cable association.] Paris, October 19. A communique states: —We captured the whole of Sailly Saillisel (2i miles north-east of Combles), and expelled the enemy from the crest north-westward and north-eastward of the village. We carried with a rush the first German line along the whole Maisonette-Biaches front southward of the Somme. [HIGH COMMISSIONER'S MESSAGE.] (Received 20, 11.20 a m.) London, October 19. A French official report says: —At Sailly Saillisel our position was cons boated. The enemy counter-attack was broken by barrage fire, and our gains were maintained. South of the Somme, progress has been made between La Maisonette and Biaches. BRITISH EXTEND THEIR CAINS. SUCCESSFUL AIR RAIDS. London, October 19. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—This morning’s attack extended our front northward of Gueudecourt (3I miles south of Bapaume) and towards Butte-Warlencourt. Our aircraft on Tuesday made many reconnaissances and three bombing raids. Railway stock and station buildings were damaged. A train was hit and derailed. Four enemy machines were driven down and damaged, and a fifth fell into Four of ours have not returned. THE MAORIS AT FLERB. London, October 19. New Zealand soldiers who participated in the capture of Flers speak with enthusiasm of the magnificent work of the Maori pioneer battalion in constructing saps in the newly captured ground. GERMAN WAR MATERIAL. IMPOSSIBLE TO INCREASE THE OUTPUT. ..Received 20, 9.55 a.m.) London, October 19. The “ Daily Chronicle’s ” Paris correspondent states that two more captured German army orders emphasise the importance of economy of material. General von Gallwitz, on August Ist, complained of the fearful number of accidental explosions of gun tubes, and said:— ** Unless this bungling ceases, there will soon be a sensible diminution of artillery power ” General von Bulow, on August gth, made a similar complaint, especially of the field guns, and concluded by saying:— " The replacement of cannon put out of action now gravely compromises us,” adding, ” The War Minister states that it is no longer possible to increase the supply of cannon tubes.”