THE CAMPAIGNS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17250, 18 August 1916, Page 6

THE CAMPAIGNS.

The resumption of the offensive north and south of the Sonnne has como as a very emphatic proof that the pause in the operations in this region wa., not due to exhaustion. We are told in a German communique that the British have been active again on the Poziexes sector, and a French newspaper states that Moniquet Farm, a strong work east of Thiepval, is in British hands. But the main attack has been delivered by the French north of the Somme, and the results are eminently satisfactory. There is no change in Maurepas village, but to the north and south the Allies have advanced appreciably, the progress north of Clery being particularly important. The Allies are now within striking distance of fortified villages at interval-: along the whole front from Thiep-. val to the Somme, and it need come as no surprise if a general offensive is opened during the next week or so, with the object of carrying the next line of enemy positions by a combined effort. The Allies are certainly working themselves forward to. ground from which such a movement could be undertaken with every prospect of ttaccess, for the positional lighting of the last week or two must have broken down the essential elements of the German defensive system on the higher country north of Pozieres and north and south of Maurepas. South of the river a useful advance has been made on the Belloy-Barlcux front, against defences that are said to have been very strongly organised. Elsewhere in the western theatre the position is unchanged. From Petrograd the only news of consequence reports a vigorous Austrian resistance west’of the Zlota Li pa, where, as we showed, the Russians were developing a movement almost as formidable as chat to the south ot the Dniester. Von Roth mors anxiety is perhaps to prevent the Russians from deploying on a wide front between the Zlota Lipa and the Gnila Lipa. but as the Russians hold tho essential crossings it seems likely that the battle will increase in magnitude and intensity. In the meantime, although we have no report to guide us, we can fairly assume that Leshitsky is rapidly massing men and artillery for the assault on Halicz, and that if he finds the enemy concentration t-oo solid at that point he will attempt to break ’through further south, leaving a sufficient force at Halicz to mask the fortified bridgehead and to meet any attempt to attack Ins flank and his lines of communication. On the Italian front there has been much heavy fighting against fortified positions on the heights east of tlm Tsonzo, but the Austrian front is still insecure o:i the Carso, where the possibility of another Italian success is to be remarked.