THE ATTACK ON THE ANCRE

Nelson Evening Mail, 15 November 1916, Page 5

THE ATTACK ON THE ANCRE

A FIVE-MILE FRONT. " OVER. 3300 PRISONERS TAKEN. (Australian and N.Z. 'Cable Association and Reuter.) LONDON, Nov. 14. 1 Sir Douglas Haig reports 'that, attacking astride the Ant-re. we, penetrated- the 1 defences on. a front- of five miles. I -We captured Ills strong fortified village o£ St. Pierre Dlvon. j The attack was delivered before dayj light and in a thick mist. The enemy's losses were severe. Already 3300 iprisoners have been -counted, and more are coming an. The fighfring continues. Tli'e Gerf-Tuui line captured at JLoos was ; exceptionally strong. A BRILLIANT -SUCCESS. OF GREAT STRATEGIC' EUPORTAN'CE. 'Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Rec. Nov. jls. 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 14. The niew advance was a brilliant success ot: great strategic importance, accomplishing the second portion of the work begun in July, when we smashed the lines south-east ol the Ancre and failed to penetrate- in the north-west. Subsequent south-easterly successes enabled yesterday's completion of a magnificent victory under most unfavourable conditions in a- woodless morass of treacherous mudholes. The success is a striking tribute to Sir Douglas Haig and his glorious army. They captured villages, including the strongest- points in an elaborate system oi fortifications, more powerful than the most- famous of the former fortresses, bringing nearer Germany's -final defeat. Yesterday's victory strategically wipes out the Beaucourt salient, and enables us to. continue the operations on a fa-ir-•lv wide , front. . OVER. 40C0 PRISONERS. (Australian aud N.Z. Cable Association f and Reuter.) i (Rec. Nov. 15, 12.25 p.m.) 'LONDON. Nov. 14.

Sir Douglas iHaig reports : —We stormed Beaumoiit-Hamel and reached the outskirts of Beaucourt-sur-Ancre. .Ve have taken over 4000 prisoners. The .fighting 1 continues. BRITISH] TRIBUTE TO GERMAN 1 AIRCVIA'N'. (.Renter's- Telegrams.) fß.ec. Nov. 15, 12.20 p.m.) _ AMSTERDAM, Nov. 14. A German -com'muniquo states that enemy airmen dropped' a "wreath behind our lines addressed to the 'Officers' Flying Corps in memory of Boelcke. "a brave and chivalrous enemy." , adding 1 that they regretted the lateness of the tribute, "which was due to the weather, lit also stated: "We mourn with liis relatives'and friends. 7 ' The ■wreath and letter were sent to Boelcke's parents. ENEMY ATTACK REPULSED". (Australian and N.Z. CaWe Association.) (JR.ec. Nov. 15, ,12.20 p.m.) PARTS, Nov. 14. A communique says: There is lively artillerying at Pressoire. Ail enemy attach west of Auberive, in the Champagne, was repulsed. There is calm elsewhere.