THE GREAT BATTLE.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VIII, Issue 217, 15 August 1918, Page 5

THE GREAT BATTLE.

Hard Battle for Lassigny. T __ __ Progress Delayed by Machine Guns. British Also Face Stubborn Resistance. Crawa amocuiiom—oorraisMt.l (Received 15, 12.35 p.m.) ’ London, August 14. Paris newspapers draw attention to the fact that the 28,000 prisoners and 600 guns mentioned by Sir Douglas Haig include only captures by the armies of Generals Rawlinson and Debeney. To these should be added General Humbert’s 10,000 prisoners and 400 guns.—(Reuter.) (Received 15, 9.30 a.m.) London, August 14. General Rawlinson’s army is meeting with desperate resistance east of Chaulnes. The “ Pall Mall Gazette ” understands that Lassigny has been captured.—(A. & N.Z.) (Received 15, 11.10 a.m.) New York, York 14. The Australians have captured all the enemy positions on the western outskirts of Bray, and now hold Oatcaux Wood.—(A. & N.Z.) (Received 15, 9.30 a.m.) London, August 14. On the Lys front, the British gained ground east and south of Meteren.—(A. & N.Z.) THE BATTLE OF LASSIGNY. GENERAL HUMBERT GAINS~IMPORTANT POINTS ON MASSIF. (Received 15, 9.15 a.m.) London, August 14. With the resumption of the French advance on Lassigny massif, interest attaches to General Humbert’s methods of attack. , The French infantry have a-particularly difficult task in reducing the enemy resistance, which the land formation strongly assists. The surface of the massif consists of a jumble of ravines affording excellent shelted for machine-guns. Artillery is practically useless, but the capture of the massif is so important, and may lead to such far-reaching results, that this difficult task is well worth the attempt. General Humbert decided against frontal attacks against the machineguns, therefore each obstacle is being outflanked methodically on two sides, forcing a withdrawal. Hitherto the plan has w'orked well. It demands great courage, as well as perseverance, but the French are displaying both these qualities. —(A. & N.Z.) (Received 15, 11.50 a.m.) London, August 14. Reuter’s correspondent at French headquarters states: General Humbert, whose front, as the result of the nrogress his armv has made, now faces the east instead of the north, r“-atta<~ked Lassignv and Thiescourt massif positions to-dn.v. His left was heavily counter-attacked end remained on the defensive, but the right pushed forward all round th*’ western and southern edoes of Little Switzerland, a-M Prossiere de Roye (? Plessis de Rove) Park and the village of Humbert’s s ;, me prirv s*-o”ned v z 'n Hutier’s rush last March after one of the bloodiest fights of the year. To-day's battle raged till evening, when the French held St. Claude Farm and L’Ecouvillon, two of the most important points on the massif. The fighting is difficult. The enemy is holding the front thinly, wdth almost as many machine-guns as men, and their whereabouts are difficult to locate. The enemv is filling the valleys, passes and woods with mustard gas. The French are fighting their way with rifles and grenades, advancing over the broken country by infiltration. The enemy’s tactics indicate that he is retiring to a not distant defensive line.—(Reuter.) THE AMERICANS. THIRTY-ONE DIVISIONS IN FRANCE. (Received 15, 11.45 a.m.) Washington, August 14. General March states: The Picardy salient is now reduced to a depth of 15 miles upon a 53-mile front. One United States regiment is engaged in the fighting around Chipilly. The United States has now 3 1 divisions in France.—A. & N.Z. New York, August 14. The “ New York Times ” learns of the formation of an American field army in France. This is understood in military circles to mean that a portion of the front is completely under the control of the American army, with American supply lines, railway's, bases and debarkation ports.—(A. & N.Z.) FIVE GALLANT CANADIANS. (Received 15, 11.10a.n1.: Ottawa. August 14. A Canadian official report states: Five Canadians captured a hundred Germans and an entire trench during the recent advance.—(A. & N.Z.) SIR DOUGLAS HAIG’S DESPATCHES, London, August 13. Sir Douglas Haig reports: The battle front has been comparatively quiet, except for increased hostile artillerying. We took prisoners at several different points. Raiding patrol activity is reported south of the Scarpe, northeast of Robecq and in the neighbourhood of Vieux Berquin. Since the Sth instant the French First Army and the British Fourth Army' have captured over 28,000 prisoners, including--800 officers, of whom eight are regimental commanders. We also took 600 guns, including many heavies, several thousand machine-guns, and numerous trench mortars, also three complete trains, with vast stocks of stores. There has been much air fighting. We brought down thirty hostile machines, and drove down seven uncontrollable. We dropped 45 tons of bombs during the day on Peronne and Cambrai stations. We were heavily assailed. Twche British machines are missing.— (A. & N.Z. and Reuter.) Received 15, 11.10a.m.) London, August 14. Sir Douglas Haig reports: Hostile artillery was active during the night along the battle-front, bur there was no infantrv action. We repulsed local attacks on the Dickebusch sector at midday on Tuesday. There was considerable hostile artillerving in this neighbourhood at night, and also north-westward of Kemmel. We made a successful raid m the neighbourhood of Avette. Our natrols progressed on the Vieux Bercviin sector. a ; -,d established our line eastward of the village. We took a number of prisoners. Our line has been advanced slightly eastward of Meteren.

OFFICIAL FRENCH REPORTS. . London, August 13. A trench communique states: During the day we renewed attacks between the Matz and the Oise, and despite strong resistance we made some progress north-east of Gurv. We gained a footing in Plessies-de-Roye Park, and reached Belval. Further east we carried our lines to two kilometres north of the village of Cambronne. GENERAL REVIEW OF THE OPERATIONS UP TO TUESDAY NIGHT. . . . London, August 13. It is authoritative!}' stated that the Crown Prince as well as Prince Rupprecht is now contributing men to the Ancre-Oise front, hoping to check the Allied advance. It is anticipated that the French heavy guns will shortly bombard Noyon and cut off the enemy’s main supply roads. The French captured L’Ecouvillon, also ground north of St. Claude Farm, putting them almost on the crest of Lassigny Ridge. The enemy,holds the ridges on the highest point at the extreme northern corner. It will take several days before the French are able to work down the slopes of the Tar side, also to get artillery on the crest, when the enemy’s communications at Roye will be under observed fire. The Germans are expected to counter-attack in considerable strength in this sector. The capture of Les Loges by the French is also important, as they are now pressing close to Roye from the west and south, and apparently hold all the high ground there. The Germans are evacuating trenches in the bed of the Oise river west of Badly. Later. On the Soissons-Reims front, heavy local fighting occurred on the Vcsle at Fismctte, north of Fismes. The Allies held positions on the north bank, but a heavy counter-attack compelled them to retire to the south bank. Subsequently they regained the ground. The enemy is exhausting his reserves and drawing troops from the lines and extending divisions on the flanks. This process cannot be continued long. 5 - On the Montdidier-Noyon front, the French now occupy the whole crest of the Lassigny massif. It is considered inevitable that the German line northward of the ridge must fall back and Roye become untenable. Its evacuation is expected within forty-eight hours. Our guns were brought more quickly than anticipated, and Novon will be under fire immediately. Chaulnes may be held a dav or two longer, but its evacuation cannot long be postponed. The battle contimms violently on the whole forty-mile front between the Oise and the Ancre. The maximum depth to which infantry penetrated is thirteen miles, and the average depth from nine to ten miles. The Crown Prince and Prince Rupprecht are draining their lines elsewhere in order to obtain reinforcements. The British have captured 400 guns and the French 250. The British have taken 20,000 prisoners and the French 10,500. Later. The French repulsed a counter-attack on the massif after stubborn fighting. Although the French hold the crest, the Germans still hold out on the north-eastern spur. There is no news to-day concerning the French counterattack on Les Loges Wood, from which they were driven last night. AlthoughHhe figures cabled represent the number of prisoners actually counted, the authorities do not regard the Par s estimates of 40,000 as over optimistic. The French captured over 1600 machine-guns, and the British an enormous number, but there lias been 110 opportunity of counting them. The enemy ns apparently making preparations for a further retirement, and is burning villages between Peronne and Chaulnes, but there arc no signs of confusion or congestion behind the lines. Since the beginning of July’ 75,000 prisoners have been taken on the Western front. THE CAVALRY IN BATTLE. HOW THEY' CAPTURED HARBONNIERES. ‘ (Received 15, 11.50 a.m.) Paris, August 14. The first detailed accounts of the cavalry’s participation in the early stages of the battle state that the capture of liarbonmercs was a notably dashing feat. The village was strongly defended by machine guns. A direct attack would have been useless. ihe cav alrv were ordered to make a wide detour v.ith a view to rem la >g \ auviL’cr.-., behind Harbonnieres. Ihe plan succeeded .dnc-i without casualties. Vanvillers was seized, with 700 p.-somr-, Harboimieres v.as thus easily captured.—(A. & N.Z.) WAR CORRESPONDENTS’ EARLIER REPORTS. INCREASED RESISTANCE PRODUCES INTENSE FIGHTING. London, August 13. Mr. Murdoch, correspondent at Australian headquarter:-, writing on the 11th inst., states: As fresh Hun troops arriw, including the Grenadier Guards, the rcimtancc stillk n.s, mid the battle begins to assume the normal character of dole, intense fighting. Ihe importance of our successes on our left flank is shown bv the great scale, almost frantic in nature, of the Germans’ hold on the ridge in front of Lihons. The German gunners were told to sacrifice their guns in order to. hamper the advance, and the infantry were told to die on the ridge. This ridge is the strongest position between Millers Bu t< neux and Roye. It dominates the plain, and is the bef 11 g of the old Somme battlefield, and the mazes of the old Ire ih now overgrown with grass, but serviceable, arc avails’ 1 t< 1 the defenders. Ihe Australians did some bitter fighting round the ridge, eventually outflanking the Germans and driving them back in fierce counter-attacks and capturing a number of guns. The Australian losses are under half the number of prisoners. Jhe booty’ continues to pile up. Rosieres dump alone is worth a million sterling.-—(Cnited Service.) ENEMY’S ANXIETY TO RETAIN ROYE. HUN CASUALTIES TOTAL ABOUT 360,000. London, August 13. Reuter’s correspondent at British headquarters, writing on the afternoon of the 13th inst., stales: The Allied drive from Montdidier to north of the Somme has reached a comparatively' quiet stage. Ihe enemy’ is still hurry’ing up reinforcements and employing gas to the utmost capacity'. His main concentration of reserves is around Roye, which he is manifestly anxious to retain, at least for the present. ihe Australians, who have been lighting m the region of Proyart and St. Germans Wood, met with strong rnaclnne-gun resistance at Madame Wood. The Carmdians also improved their position on the right of' their front. -An order, latch’ captured, signed by General ton Ludendorff, indicates the anixety of the higher command regarding their man power. The order is dated June 25 th. Another order practical!}’ admits the Allies’ supremacy m the air. bince August -Sth thirty divisions mu-t have been heavily engaged by the British, .American and Friurh. I'he total German casualties on the We 'via front since the beginning of General Fork's counter-offcr.-n e is about 560,000. The guns lost in the same time are about lacm. Prisoners state that in more than one place drafts lately -e-'t to reinforce the infantry are composed largely of artfllcr' -men. I lie enemy lias removed or destroyed a large number of aerodromes in the Somme area, which has somewhat disorganbl' i’i’ — I'-cUtcr y

NESTS OF MACHINE-CUNS BETWEEN CURY AND BOIS DES LOCES. London, August 13. Reuter’s correspondent at French headquarters, writing on the afternoon of the 13th, states: The enemy is desperately clinging to the western and southern edges of the Thiescourt hills between Lassigny and the Oise. The key to the whole position is St. Claude Farm, on a hill 600 feet High, just east of Alarcuil-Lamotte, and dominating the whole region. Further north, between Gary and Bois des Logos, the Germans hold the line of old entrenchments stuffed with machineguns. The capture of Bois des Logos in the morning of the 12th inst. was effected with magnificent dash. The Germans counter-attacking in the afternoon re-occupied part of the wood. Prior to the great aerial attack on Lassigny one of our air scouts noticed dense column's of men and transport pouring through the railage. The French sent 121 planes to attack them, and 27 tons of bombs were dropped on the Germans in the streets of Lassigny. Men and horses were killed, fires started, and the streets were blocked with the wreckage of waggons. The march of the German columns was retarded for hours. FLANK MANOEUVRES SUBSTITUTE FRONTAL ATTACK. New York, August 13. Mr. Duranty, the “ New York Times’ ” correspondent at the French front, emphasises the point that the character of the fighting is undergoing a change, and it is becoming an affair of manoeuvres rather than of the frontal warfare. These tactics caused the fall of Montdidier, and are now threatening Roye and Lassigny. Meanwhile the enemy is duplicating the retreat tactics of the Marne, desperately endeavouring to hold back the advance in order to permit the removal of guns and munitions. The wonderful bombing work of the British airmen is demoralising the convoys, which presented a hellish scene at a bottleneck road, where there was indescribable confusion of panicstricken men, stampeding horses and bomb-shattered vehicles. British airmen also flew low, overtaking trains and firing through the windows. FROM GERMAN SOURCES. London, August 13. A German official message states: Wo repulsed repeated attacks southward of Morris (on the Lys sector). We also repulsed a ttacks northward of the Amiens-Roye road and southward of the Avre.—(A. & N.Z. and Reuter, Admiralty per Wireless.)

AUSTRALIAN EXPLOITS. ENEMY TN A WHEAT FIELD. DUGOUTS TAKEN BY SURPRISE. FOUR MEN CAPTURE THIRTY SIX PRISONERS. (Official Correspondent witli A.1.F.) I London, .Anu. G. One of the recent little fights by 'Australian patrols, of wlvch details have only recently been learned, is 1 the following:— I An officer, a sergeant, and two ■men went cut in the middle of the morning from an Australian post in 1 the midst- of a wheat, field in order Io invi .'tig-'il e a neichboaring field 200 yards away, in wnich they knew (>pi trans rate pmt-’d. Tn mie corner of this field was a house. They drop’ped oik n m on the way in a .position .win t he could cover them. | The other three went <>n and for.nd [a h d_,o on one side of the field free lof Germans. They searched the I house, but no Germans were there. • They knew that Gerrans must be ; posted an ot-lier n.nrls of the field, so ithey took a. caret id look, and spotted [one dugout full of Germans, who had inot seen them. | They crept up from the side and i covered these Gormans with their • revolver’s, and the inmates : urrer.d--j cred. They went on similarly to two ■ other dugout®. and quietly captured th" inhabitants. | By this time they had so in any i prisoners tliat a sergeant had to be is: nt. bar k with flmm. Tic scut up i the other man so that the officer still : had two mon with him. I They went, on ns before, .and cap- • Hired two more due-mits, hint when i they reached the other end of the | field some Grmar.s in the dug-outs [there showed fight, and the AustraI Hans bad to fire several revolver i shots. I They knew this would arouse the inmates of tlie rema’nmg dug-outs, so they immediately threw bombs into the Germans positions, and took up a position where they could prev-■nt the Germans running away. The Germans knew that further bombs were ready, and trial' any resists nee would mean a further shower. They all surrendered. The patrol came in vitb prisoners, having captured 06. ahono’tbcr. j That same day at lon®t •> do7 n n similar incidents occurred n’oii" the front of the Ist Australian Division.’ The troops who carried out those en- ; terprises n”c not storm tmops. nor any sm’eia’lv I,ruined, but inM: ordinare Australian infant”y. ! Tn Um smith \o' I • ntiv Hrmans iwi'L'd the Ansi’'.' , l’ars alrer a henvv barrage. The raid consisted of three parties, with r>o in each. Some of tnese wore killed, but they man- ; need to get into the Australian post, near Denmrt, and cap!-iired a- few ■wounded Australians. 1