ON THE EVE OF GREAT THINGS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 10471, 8 September 1916, Page 5

ON THE EVE OF GREAT THINGS.

42,000 PRISONERS SINCE JULY. Australian-New Zealand Gable Association, Received September 8. 8.55 a.m. PARTS. Sept,. 7.. Each dav the Somme struggle grows in promise of achievement, and the moment seems near when local fighting will give results of more than local importance. Already the Allies imminently threaten the extremely useful road running parallel to the front between Bapanme, Pennine and Rove. The British are under two miles from the road, and the latest French advance brings them within a few hundred yards of it. .The French artillery sweeps the PcrormeBapanme sector, and it is difficult to see how the enemy’s heavy guns on Mount St. Quentin (just north of Pcrorme) are going to got supplies. 'The capture of a portion of Amlerlu wood is valuable, a? the wood is stated to have sheltered the side of the ravine which the Germans were in the habit of utilising as an assembling point for counter-attacks. Though Hindenburg has infused more violence into the counter-attacks (he result, has only been to increase (he German losses. They are fighting with plenty of spirit, but the French artillery shows an equal increase in duality and quantity. The growing number of prisoners is a. pleasing portent. The total taken bv the French on the Somme since Ist July is 42,000. The capture of Ommieeoiirt was a fine achievement. The colonial division, with, splendid dash, took (he village in forty minutes, cutting off half a, battalion whoseretreat was barred by the railway level crossing. All surrendered.