WESTERN CAMPAIGN

Nelson Evening Mail, 21 July 1916, Page 5

WESTERN CAMPAIGN

BRITISH FRONT LINE PUSHED FORWARD. (Australian, and N-Z. Cable Association.) (Rec. Julv 21. 11.40 a.m.) " LONDON, July 20. Sir Douglas Haig reports that we regained a little ground in Delville Wood and at Longueval. The struggle continues. We also pushed forward our line north or Longueval and Bazentin and east of Leipsic Redoubt. Out bombing parties made a substantial advance in the night east of sic Redoubt. Elsewhere the main battle is chiefly artillery fire, and there are no alterations in the positions. BRITISH SURPRISED TROOPS GRADUALLY ASSUME MASTERY. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Rec- Jnlv 21. 12.10 p.m.) PARIS. July 20The Germans are attacking at Longueval and Deville, They launched several regiments in mass formation on a narrow front. The British who were organising new positions were surprised. Tliev fought heroically against fourfold odds and gradually assumed the mastery. IMPORTANT RAIDS AUSTRALIANS TAKE PART. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Rec. July 21. 11.40 a.m.) LONDON, July 20. We carried--out yesterday evening, south of Armentieries some important raids on a front of two miles in which the Australians took part. .-■'•' BAVARIAN LOSSES (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Rec. Julv. 21. 11-40 a.m.) * LONDON, July -20. The diarv of a German commanding officer shows that on Ist July the Sixth Bavarian* Reg : ment. fighting at Moniaubau, lost 5000 out of 36C0. A battalion of the 190 th Regiment lost 980 'men out -of 1200; two other battalions of the 190 th. lost over half -their effective strength. , FURTHER FRfcNCH PROGRESS ENEMY LINE PENETRATED. FIERCE FIGHTING TN VERDUNREGION. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Rec. Julv 21, 9.10 a.m.) " PARIS, July 20. A communisue says we ' captured trenches from Hardecourt Knoll to the river and carried the line east of Hardecourt an appreciable distance along the railway from Gambles to Clergy. Infantry south of the Somme captured thei whole enemy's first- line. We jtenetrated a German trench, north-east of Auberives and brought ■back prisoners. The Germans continually bombarded Avocoirrt and Chattaucourt. . A grenade struggle is progressing on the north-eastern- slopes of Hill 404. V\ e anade some progress to the light md west of Thiaumont work and assaulted and captured a fortified work strongly held/ south or Fleury. THE SOMMERGHTING ENEMY TRENCHES TAKEN. Tibe High •Commissioner rerorts : London, 20th-.. July, 10 p.m. On both sides of the Somme -the French infantry this morning attacked German positions, realising marked advances. i Northwards of the Somme we U"''" enemy trenches from Mamelon '"i-'ij decourt to the river, carrying the French Kne eastward of Hardecourt along tne Combles—Cierv railway. In that- part of the battlefield we "took nearly 400 prisoners. South of the Somme, between BarA leux and Soyecourt, all the enemy first line trenches were taken. In Champagne the French penetrated a trench north-east of Aubr-ieive bringing (back prisoners. In Argonne the Germans attempted a coup de main on o: •' small posts at the Boland -salient., After lively grenade fighting the enemy was repulsed. Left of the Mense the bombardment of Avoucourt and ■Ohattan court tinuesThere has been, grenade .ficrht-ing on the north east slopes of Hill 304. On the richt bank we progressed wes;waTds of Thiaumont work. Southwards of Fleury a strongly fortified enemy work was taken by us and prisoners to the number of 150. RUSSIANS IN FRANCE % ANOTHER CONTINGENT ARRIVES I NFRANCE. (Reuter's Telegrams.) (Rec July 21. 2.30 p.m.) ' PARIS, July 20. A fre3 hcontingent of Russians hpve landed at Brest. It goes into an instruction camp, and thence to the front.

NEW ZEALANDtRS RAIJS WITH VARYING SUCCESS. (Special Despatch frjom the New Zealand Corresooudent. Mir Malcolm Ross.) July 17. With varying success the New Zenlanders continue their raids on the esaor my's trenches in the v.einity of Arm entieres. A Gennan counter-raid caused several casualties, mainly during tho enemy's (preliminary bombardment. One machine-gun crew was casualtied, and buried with the gun. but the gun was dug out and brought into action again. A recent attempted raid by the Maoris unsuccessful, but they cleverly outwitted a nue by the enemy to entrap them, and returned -without casualties? The Germans concerned were caught in the open by our cruris and rifle firei and thrown into confusion, suffering loss. A party from the R.'fie- Brigade successfully raided the German front trench inflicting casualties. Our bombardment wrecked their trenches, and their dead were bady .shattered. Our casualties were slight. The Otago .Regiment was less lucky, •be.'ng caught by the enemy's fire in No-Man's-Land, but the splendid bravery of the officers and men made amends. Captain Jolly was wounded, and refused to go on a stretcher while his men were needing attention. With .great gallantry he earned on, and was subsequently kiiLed. His body ■was located -it lawn, near our parapet, and brought in under daiknesß nest, night. A .prrvaie, -who was raider a suspended Bantenoe oi five years' penal servitude, behaved wstih: groat heroism. He ■ves beme. boldly standing up- under a heavy fire, repeatedly liibrng wounded smart aver -the pßi*aipet-. His sentence twis nerraitbed. ENEMY CONCENTRATION DISPERSED. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) "LONDON. July 20. Sir Douglas Ha.ig reports that we <i;spersed large enemy forces massing for an attack at Waterlot Farm from, the direction of Guillemont. PROGRESS SOUTH OF ESTREES. (Australian a~d N.Z. Cable Association.) PARIS, July 20. A communique states^ that a small operation enabled us to capture tome trenches south, of Estrees. There is intense artillery activity in the Fleury sac tor. CHANGES IN GERMAN. COMMANDS BERNE. July 20. Two more German generals. Brockhaus and von "Zitzewitz, holding commands on the West front. ljave been suspended.