Haig's Brilliant Victory

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VIII, Issue 213, 10 August 1918, Page 5

Haig's Brilliant Victory

On the Somme Front.

Deepest Penetration Eleven Miles

Twenty Thousand Prisoners Taken.

Captured Guns too Numerous to Tally.

Huns Retreating in Flanders.

British Advance One Mile on Eleven-mile Front.

[r>M amoclatiom —cornien.l (Received io, g a.m.) New York, August 9. A London message states that the Germans are retreating on the Flanders front and evacuating positions in the Lys Valley (YpresBethune front). The British have taken 14,000 prisoners, the majority of whom e were captured by the Australians and Canadians. The British have reached the Frames-Vauvillers-Lihons line. The French have taken Fresnoy. The Allies have taken 200 guns, and it is reported that a German divisional general has been captured. The Germans on the Amiens front are blowing up ammunition dumps. The British casualties are only 9000. Allied airmen have blown up bridges over the Somme. French troops north-west of Montdidier advanced four miles and captured 3000 prisoners. The Anglo-French advance has reached a maximum depth of 11 miles. British cavalry are within a mile of Chaulnes. Canadian cavalry surrounded a large force of Germans.—A.&N.Z. (Received io, 10.45 a.m.) London, August 9. The Australians are fighting north of the Somme. The Canadians captured Beaufort, four miles east of Fresnoy.— (A. & N.Z.) (Received io, 11.5 a.m.) London, August 9. The advance.is still progressing. Late yesterday afternoon our cavalry, armoured cars, and tanks reached Framerville and Lihons. Thjs means an advance of eleven miles. The greatest depth of the infantry advance is seven miles, or an average of five or six miles over the whole front. Between nine and ten thousand have- been taken prisoner. The Germans are now driven beyond gun range of Amiens. They will be unable to stay on the Avre, whereir their line is completely outflanked on the north. The German position on the Aisne is not affected by the advance, but the enemy can hardly stand on the Montdidier front, which undoubtedly will be evacuated. The Germans continue to retire in the Lys salient, and have withdrawn approximately 2000 yards on a front of six miles. Correspondents declare that even the Messines battle did not equal yesterday’s brilliant success. A German officer’s captured diary frankly but bitterly admits the Allies’ air supremacy. Their dropping of bombs is past all counting. They fall day and night with clockwork regularity from a height well beyond the reach of the anti-aircraft guns.—(A. & N.Z.) (Received 10, 12.55 p m.) London, Aujgust Q._ The United Press states that the advance continues amid growing enemy confusion. The British cavalry have taken further villages, and the troops are approaching Chaulnes. The prisoners now number probably over 20,000. The British were unable to retain the summit of the hill at Chipilly (on the Somme river, south of Morlancourt). Fighting there continues heavy. The progress made elsewhere ts unhampered. The Franco-British cavalry are cutting up retreating columns. The bridges atPeronne and Bray have been destroyed.—A. & N.Z. (Received 10, 12 noon.) London, August 9. The Germans recaptured Chipilly by a strong counter-attack. — (A. & N.Z.) MAJOR-GENERAL MAURICE’S COMMENT. (Received 10, 9.20 a.m.) London, August 9. Major-General Maurice pays a tribute to the newest tanks’ work southward of the Somme, where recently they had a dress rehearsal.

The enemv was alert northward of the Somme and in the neighbourhood of Moreuil. Consequently our progress is less there than in the centre, but the centre progress is most important. The enemy at Montdidier is already in a pronounced salient. Our advance eastward of Villers Brotonneux has made his position very uncomfortable. Already Amiens is out of range of all except the longestrange guns. More important still, we are giving him no respite and keeping him on the defensive, while we are getting up heavies on the Vesle. It is premature to say definitely that we have won back the initiative, but we shall be able to say it if the battle develops as it promises. Sir Douglas Haig’s success is due to surprise, consisting of secret concentration, a short intense bombardment, and the launching of a formidable tank attack. <A. & N.Z.)

THE BATTLE DESCRIBED.

EASIER VICTORY THAN MESSINES OR THE SOMME. (Received io, 12 noon.) New York, August 9. Mr Percival Phillips writes: Thanks to the almost ceaseless Allied artillerving, the enemv for the most part has been unable to develop any formidable system of defence such as we had to overcome on the Somme in 1916 and m Flanders in 191®. Tne Germans’ consciousness of this weakness is probably responsible for the recent withdraw als. Our preliminarv bombardment consisted of three minutes of whirlwind fire on'the front positions. then the field-guns and trench mortars began to lengthen out the creeping barrage, whilst the heavies continued to pound away spots likely to prove troublesome. Hundreds of tanks advanced with the infantry wave-?. ni..;n crossing the Avre with gratifying ease. A large number of low-flying aeroplanes participated when the light broadened sufficiently, shedding a terrible hail >.t bombs and maehjne-gun fire. It was so hazy when the advance began that the gun flashes were often invisible fifty yards distant It was just the weather for a surprise.

The advance was uniformly rapid everywhere except at Morlancourt, where the enemy’s positions were well fortified. The fighting there was continuous throughout the morning. Below the Somme men literally vanished into the fog of war. It is difficult to piece together anything like a connected narrative because the fighting rolls away over a wide sweep of country and becomes impossible to follow, but prisoners are coming in in shoals. The trim condition of many of them indicated that they had been over-run and that they'surrendered without a fight.

One general, referring to the capture pf the guns, laughingly said that it would take days to count them. The swift surprise of the drive on such a length of front and of such a depth gives the enemy no time to get his batteries away or even destroy them.

Our infantry in many places over-ran our artillery’s support, but this did not matter, because, firstly, they had advanced beyond where any German guns were posted; and secondly, because we had plenty of German guns to swing round and serve. Our own batteries advanced with wonderful smartness. In one instance a whole field brigade got beyond the original front line and were in action twenty minutes after.

We were successful in getting two companies of tanks across the Luce river under cover of the darkness. They did invaluable work, clearing what was feared would prove a difficult situation owing to the strong German positions in Dodo Wood and on the neighbouring high ground. Such casualties as the tanks suffered were inflicted by gunfire from the south bank of the Somme. We therefore directed a converging attack against Bois Gressaire and Chipilly, securing large hauls of prisoners and field-guns at both places. Our men speak of the wonderful effectiveness of our barrage. The enemy machine-guns fire was less intense than was anticipated. doubtless owing to the smothering of observation bv the mist.

The prisoners are a good type of soldier, but thev are depressed on account of thenews of the Marne defeat.—A. & N.Z.

KAISER’S LAST DITCHERS.

TO DEFEND THE RHINE

(Received 10, 9.50 a.m.) New York, August 9. A correspondent on the American front reports: Information has reached the Allies that a “last-stand army” of 500,000 picked troops is being formed by the Kaiser’s orders solely to defend the Rhine.

French military opinion is satisfied that the Germans must evacuate Montdidier. —(A. & N.Z.)

ALLIES CONTROL THE INITIATIVE.

AMERICAN OFFICERS CONFIDENT.

(Received 10, 9.50 a.m.) Washington, August 9.

United States army officers rejoice in Sir Douglas Haig’s blow. They declare that it completes the evidence that the Allies control the initiative. General Foch has no intention of allowing General von Ludendorff a respite wherein to organise new offensives.—(A. & N.Z.)

GENERAL HAIC’S DESPATCHES.

London, August 9.

Sir Douglas Haig reports: Operations were begun this morning on the Amiens front by the French First Army under General de Beny, and the British Fourth Army under General Rawlinson, and are proceeding satisfactorily. The Allied troops were assembled under ccver of night unnoticed bv the enemv.

At the hour of assault the French, Canadian, English and Australian divisions, assisted by a large number of tanks, stormed a front of over 20 miles, from the Avre at Braches to the neighbourhood of Morlancourt.

The enemy was surprised, and we rapidly progressed at all points. At an early hour our first objective was readied on the whole front.

During the morning the infantry’s advance continued, actively assisted by British cavalry, light tanks and motor machinegun batteries.—(A. & N.Z. and Reuter.) The German resistance was overcome at certain points after sharp fighting. * The French gallantly attacked and crossed the Avre, despite opposition, and carried the hostile defences. The greater part of our final objectives northward of the Somme were gained before noon, but in the neighbourhood of Chipilly and southward of Morlancourt the enemy carried out a prolonged resistance, until he was finally broken by ear troops, who gained their objectives gallantly. The Allied infantry southward of the Somme gained during the afternoon their final objectives on the whole front, assisted by light tanks and armoured cars.

Our cavalry passed through the infantry and beyond their objectives, riding down German transport limbers 111 retreat. They surrounded the captured villages, taking many prisoners. We have reached the general line of Plessier-Rozainvillers-Beaucourt-Caix-Framerville-Chipnly to eastward of Mcrlancourt.

It is impossible to estimate the prisoners or guns and material taken, but several thousand prisoners and many guns were captured. We dropped over seventeen tons of bombs in the day-time on the / th inst. with good effect.

Fifteen hostile machines were brought down, and seven driven down’uncontrollable. Two British machines are missing.

Bad weather hampered operations at night-time. A ton of bombs was dropped. One of our night-fiicrs is missing. FRENCH OFFICIAL REPORTS. London, August 9. A French communique states: The attack we began southeast of Amiens in conjunction with the British continued under good conditions. In all 184 enemy aeroplanes were brought down in July, and 154 were seen to fall disabled behind the German lines. Our aeroplanes in July set fire to 49 enemy captive balloons. Our bombing planes in July dropped 194 tons of projectiles during the day-time and 356 during the night-time on Marne bridges and enemy troops south of the Aisne, and stations in the region of Laon, Hirson and Rethel.—A. .& N.Z. & Reuter. CAINS ON THE MARNE FRONT. (Received 10, 9.50 a.m.) Washington, August 9. The Allies on the Marne front have regained 1500 square kilometres of territory, and 200 tons and villages have been recovered. The Allied front is shortened by 33 miles. The Germans used 13 divisions to cross the Marne, and used 17 divisions while retreating therefrom. Additional reinforcements from Flanders have reached the Vesle.—(A. & N.Z.) MILITARY OPERATIONS REVIEWED. THE POSITION ON VARIOUS SECTORS ON THURSDAY. London, August 8. The Germans hold the Vesle line in considerable strength. Although it is reported they have withdrawn their heavy guns and some forces over the Aisne, no preparations for a general retirement are apparent. The Germans on the Franco-British front between Montdidier and the sea have retired at various points in varying depths. This is probably explainable by a desire to improve their defensive positions. His withdrawal on the Lys section ( Ypres-Hazebrouck-Bethune) is due to the marshy ground and the fact that our positions dominate him, but it is difficult to understand the slight retirement at Givenchy. It is probable that the Lys retirement may be preliminary to a general withdrawal. On the other hand, the enemy’s scheme may only be to strengthen the front between Bailfeul and the La Bassee Canal. The effect, however, reduces the probability or danger of a renewed offensive. The Franco-British between Moreuil and Morlancourt made a substantial advance to a depth of 4000 yards. It is reported that Moreuil, Demuin, Abancourt and Morlancourt are in our hands, also the heights west of Cerisy and south of Morlancourt.

General Rawlinson commands the British Fourth Army, and General Anthoine the French army. Our recent air raids forced the enemy to detach a large number of fighting machines from the front as a protection for German towns. During the raid on Saarbrucken our aviators encountered 40 enemy machines.

A review of the Marne offensive reveals General Foch’s remarkable patience and foresight. When the British received a severe reverse and when the position on the Western front was compromised. General Foch met one German blow after another, but refused to make a premature counter-offensive Until the psychological moment. When the Germans were exhausted at Reims, and after they had made a success on the Marne front, it required great firmness on General Foch’s part to disregard the danger of throwing the whole of his reserves into a great counter-thrust which has nroved successful.

Had it failed it would have been disastrous to the French, and the Germans would have gained the Marne without difficulty. The splendid response of America in throwing in troops which had been only partially trained and were unaccustomed to war conditions reflected the greatest credit on the nation. We are justified in saying that the situation is more favourable than at any time since 1914. We have overwhelming evidence of Germany’s declining man-power, and can say that the end is in sight because of our growing resources from America. Humanly speaking, if we hold fast we can achieve a crushing victory over Germany in the field, while the political and moral situation of the Central Powers may tend to hasten the end.—(A. & N.Z.>

OFFICIAL STATEMENT BY MR. BONAR LAW.

ALL OBJECTIVES GAINED BY 3 P.M.

London, August 9. In the House of Commons, Mr. Bonar Law said that by 3 in the afternoon all our objectives were taken, and 100 guns and 7000 prisoners were captured. The maximum advance was seven miles and the average five miles. The British Fourth Army comprised English, Australian and Canadian troops. We were attacking on a front of twenty kilometres from Morlancourt to Montdidier.

He had just been informed by telephone from headquarters that all the objectives which were sought when the attack began had been gained by 3in the afternoon. The ground gained was of obvious strategic importance. He had no desire to exaggerate the importance of the achievement. Possibly the Germans, owing to previous attacks, had intended to retire, but the attack was a complete surprise, upsetting whatever plans the Germans had formed.

The result can be said without exaggeration to indicate a complete change in the military position in the last few weeks. (A. &N.Z.)

WAR CORRESPONDENTS’ EARLIER REPORTS.

ENEMY RETREATS TOWARDS THE SOMME.

London, August 9. The United Press correspondent states: There is great confusion behind Prince Rupprecht’s front. Airmen report the rapid flight of transport towards the Somme. A number of high officers are already' among the prisoners. One German general was last seen running headlong chased by a tank, which was machine-gunning him.

We now directly threaten Montdidier. Our airmen are harassing traffic into and out of the salient, especially across the Somme bridges. < Our casualties were exceptionally light, especially at the beginning of the operations. Prince Rupprecht’s reply, whether by artillery, infantry or aeroplanes, so far has been feeble, but with the coming up of reinforcements the resistance will stiffen. A German official report states: Between the Ancre and the Avre the enemy forced his way into our positions.—(A. & N.Z. and Admiralty per Wireless.) HICH COMMANDS RETIRED. (Received 10, 1.5 p.m.) Berne, August 9. In addition to General von Planitz, two major-generals and sixteen high officers have been retired as punishment for the Marne defeat.—(A. & N.Z.)