ANGLO-FRENCH OFFENSIVE.

North Otago Times, Volume CIV, Issue 13665, 6 September 1916, Page 3

ANGLO-FRENCH OFFENSIVE.

ANGLO-FRENCH ATTACKS 'MAINTAINED. ' THRUSTS ON WIDE/FRONT. IMPORTANT POINTS WON. FRENCH FIGHTING VALIANTLY. "(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) Received September 5,11.50 p.m. " PARIS, September S. An official communifpie says: The battle in which the Franco-British'are engaged on both sides of the Somme, continued all day with extreme fury. We made substantial progress eastward of Le Forest and passed Hospital farm. W!o occupied the hill westward of AlaiTiorou Wood. Violent cotmtcr-at-taekij on our new positions, southward of Combles, were shattered by machine guns and a curtain of lire, with very heavy enemy losses. All the conquered ground was retained,. l

SMASH THROUGH TO GUILLBMONT. ENEMY'S PIERCE COUNTERATTACKS. BRITISH GIVE GROUND ■ SLIGHTLY. ' COMBANTANTS' REPORTS." The High Commissioner reports:— LONDON, Sept. 4 (2.55 p.m.) A French ollicial reports that North of the Soininc the enemy did not attempt by night to recapture the positions conquered. Fourteen cannon were' captured here. A British ollicial report says: The fighting yesterday between the Soinine and the Ancro was severe, and the ground was stubbornly contested. The enemy made repeated counter-attacks, which were defeated with heavy losses. Wo captured the enemy defences over a HOOO yards front to'a depth of 8(10 yards, including the strongly-fortified Guilleinont-Ginchy position, the whole of which we first captured, but we were compelled to give ground, retaining a hold on part of the position, despite heavy counter-attacks by night. The High Commissioner reports:— LONDON, Sept 4, (2.d0 p.m.)

■ The French, troops attacked the enemy organisations on a twenty kilometre front between Barleux aim southward of Ghaulnes, on the Barleux-D'on'icourt front. We captured the first line of trenches and occupied the- approaches to Beniy, and the outskirts northward of Deuicourt. A brilliant assault northward and south-eastward of Soyecourt enabled us to capture Atenitrety. Further south, between Vermandovillers mid Chilly (south of Chaulnes), after a violent struggle our infantry carried four kilometres of the first position of tho former German front, comprising several strongly organised lines of defence, The whole of the village of Chilly was captured. We occupied Hill 86, eastward, also the western outskirts of Chaulnes Woods. We hold a portion of Vermandovillers and surround it on the north and south,

The gains at Floury were maintained, ami the enemy attempts at Vaux and Chapitre Wood failed, the enemy loss being heavy.

PARIS, September 4. Our lire repelled all attempts at Vaux and Chapitre Wood.

(Austrnliim mid N.is. Cable Association) 'LONDON, September 4

The enemy fiercely resisted and determinedly counter-attacked, suffering heavy losses, but were unable to shake our hold on the ground won, including Guillemont. They compelled us to give up part of Gincliy. PARIS, September 4.

A communique says: The Germans have not attempted to retake the 'ground lost north ward of the Somine, where'we are actively organising. Bad weather hinders-operations, LONDON, September 4.

We added another hundred yards to Sunday's gain eastward of Floury. The onemy'g power attack on our positions at Chingis Wood carried a. small fort on the Yaux Road and the trenches to the westward. A brilliant counter-attack enabled ns to re-occupy the whole of the ground. Upwards of MO nnwoundtd were taken prisoner in the Fleury district on Sunday and Monday,

The German communique says: The, Anglo-French attacks on the Sommc led to the most extensive and most bitter battle. Notwithstanding oft-repeated attacks we retained the mastery of all the positions-and recaptured temporar-ily-lost ground near Moiiquet Farm. Fighting belween Ginchy and; the Somine continued late at night, our I loops heroically defending the completely destroyed first position, in which the enemy obtained a foothold, In the second line, the defence stemmed the attacks. Guillemonl. and Le Foret. are in the enemy's hands. The French attack near Barleux was sanguinarily repulsed, An attempted attack at Thinuniont work and south-east of Fleury failed. A French salient in the Souvilfe defile has been cleared.

SMASHING THE PRUSSIAN GUARD,

'ANZACS' BRILLIANT DASH. '

(Australian and N,H, Cable. AssnciMion.) . Received September 5, at 7.H0 p.m. • , ' LONDON, September fi. The Morning Post's correspondent at 'Headquarters says: .The first, battalion of the Prussian Guard defended Mouqutft Farm in Sunday's battle, The Anzacs, 'by irresistible dash, despite the inferno of fire surrounded the farm and fully attained their objective. Mr Philip Gibk writing'to the Daily Chronicle confirms the report that the Australians at Moiiquet Farm defeated the German's best troops, namely the First Prussian Guards and reserves. General Sir Douglas Ilaig reports: The enemy counter-attack north-west-ward of Mouqnet Farm was easily repulsed, We gained further ground northward of Falleiiinonf Farm, Heavy, fighting in this section continue:!. Received September 5, at 8.5 p.m. LONDON, September 5. The Morning Post's Headquarters correspondent says: All the prisoners bolh wounded and imwonuded of the First Prussian Guard, in Sunday's battle were the Anzacs 1 captures. Prior to the An/ne advance the British artillery iorriiiicnlly bombarded Hie enemy position. The Germans responded wiih great vigour.. Tim Anzacs lefr. (heir parapets at dawn, and faced, not only shell fire, hut cross (ire from machine guns.

BURIED TREASURE,

ARTILLERYMAN'S GOOD ' FORTUNE,

Yet. with irresistible dash they gained

the, enemy's lines, although as :i woundeil Anznc said, "an inferno of machine guns seemed nil round ns, nevertheless by using bombs, machine guns, and rifle fire we lulled n largo iiunilier of Bodies, Tiie Anzacs were soon in and beyond Mouquof Farm, which is merely n jumliled heap of rubble and charred wood. The Anzacs are now all round the farm. Many Prussians fled rnllier than face a stand-up light at close quarters.

FURTHER IMPORTANT GAINS,

BIG DAG OP" PRISONERS.

(Australian find O. Cnhle Association.) Received September 5, at S.fi p.m. PARTS, September;»,

A communique reports further important gains. We captured i!;l(l(l prisoners on Sunday and Monday norllnvnrd of the Snmine and on Monday upwards of fiOd in flie Pleurv district.

GERMANY'S IDOL. YON HINDENBURG ON THE SOMME FRONT. (Australian and N.B. Cable Association,) PARIS, September 4, Marshal von Hindenburg is inspecting the Somine front, where General von Gallwitz is in command.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association). PARIS, September 4. . A young artilleryman digging a shelter on the I'icardy front, unearthed an iron box, inside of which he found securities worth a million francs. Tlie will enclosed bequeathed 1(1(1,000 francs In the discoverer of Ibo treasure, and the balance to a named beneficiary,