THE BIG PUSH.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, Issue 273, 3 November 1916, Page 3

THE BIG PUSH.

THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME, ” AT THE PRINCESS, HASTINGS. By the last Loudon mail there arrived what is claimed to be the most realistic representation of the present, hostilities in France that has ever been seen in the Dominion. “The Battle of the Somme,’’ the opening assault of the great offensive commented by the Allies on the morning of July Ist, commenced with a sustained bombardment for five days, at the culmination of which a simultaneous advance was made along the entire front under heavy fire. The attack on the village of Alametz is pictured in a remarkable series of scenes that could only have been secured at great personal risk to the man with the camera. These films were taken by the British War Office and the Secretary for War, Air. LToyd George, instructed as follows: —“See that the picture which is in itself an epic of self-sacrifice and gallantry, reaches everyone.” Many hundreds of copies of Hie ii.m were immediately shown all over England, and over forty of London’s largest cinemas, screened them simultaneously to crowded audiences. It is said that nothing so comprehensive as these pictures has been previously in the metropolis. A most awe-inspiring sight is the explosion of a subterranean mine under the enemies lines. Later, when our troops swarm over the ground searching out the few remaining Germans in hiding, it. is seen that the explosion left a crater forty feet deep, and must have buried many of the enemy. A wonderful sight is the sustained bombardment by the monster Howitzers in the rear. For mile upon mi.e great masses of earth and smoke can be seen erupting along the Huns’ front trenches like a hundred Waimangu geysers placed in line. There will be a specially selected supporting programme. The picture is to be screened at the Princess to-morrow afternoon and evening and Monday evening with special school matinee at 3 o’clock on Monday. Prices 1/6, 1/and 6d. Matinee prices 1/-, 6d and 3d."‘