CONTINUOUS FIGHTING IN THE WEST

North Otago Times, Volume CIV, Issue 13723, 14 November 1916, Page 5

CONTINUOUS FIGHTING IN THE WEST

V "BATTLE. OF THE SOMME PRACTICALLY CEASES." ENGLISH JOURNAL ON PRESENT OUTLOOK, (Australian and New Zealand Calilo Association,) LONDON, November 12, The London' Observer states? that the battle of the Somme ' practically ceased a few weeks back. The Allies slowed down ■ ■ in marked manner, and there must be a new battle witli a new; character before 'qny important change develops. There caw be no break through of the German lines this year. This forces the presumption that the war will last far into 1918. 3.U:PR* GLOWING TRIBUTE* TO NEW ZEALAND TROOPS. TOWIER OF STRENGTH TO BRITISH FIGHTERS. j . ("The Times" Service:) LONDON, November 12, • The Times correspondent with British Headquarters states tjiatone of the effects of the-war on the Empire will be a closer ' bond' of brotherhood. Since the Somme offensive began the oversea troops have, place, fighting continu- ,■ (illy and sharing Operations involving the whole front, invariably ; ; justifying jthe deposed in them; The New Zealandei's had fought, finely throughout, and any list of the . foremost •' fighting regiments will" be incomplete which does not include, them, so magnificent was their share in the capture of Flers. and . the fighting north-west of that town,'when they were a tower ' ' of strength to the British troops on each side of them. , •

" HOLD SAILLISEL AT ALL COSTS." , / GERMAN DIVISIONAL ORDER, ; FIERY DASH OF FRENCH CRUMBLES UP BAVARIANS. (Hauler's Telegrams.) Received November 13,10.15 p,m, N PARIS, Novemboi* 13. The battle of Sailliscl was resumed on Saturday afternoon, after artillery preparations, which swept away the enemy's, now works. The French detachments' assaulted the ruins of the , village and desperate fighting ensued, the enemy offering, most ; vigorous resistance. Nevertheless the fiery dash of the French crumpled up two Bavarian battalions and retook the greater part of the village. The houses were carried one by one, each ; harbouring one or more machine guns. By four o'clock the. whole of tno central part of the village was in the hands of the' French. > The battle continued the whole' evening and for the greater part of the night. A document found on a staff officer showed.that the Germancommand had ordered that "Saillisel must be held at all costs." FRENCH CAPTURE OF FORT DOUAUMONT. ' BRILLIANTLY FORESTALL GERMAN DEFENDERS. (Renter's Telegrams.) LONDON, November 12. Renter's correspondent with the French Headquarters, after a visit to Fort Douaumont, says: Owing to the big explosion of a magazine, the Germans abandoned the fort hurriedly. They undoubtedly intended to return, but the French forestalled them. German stories of the destruction of the fort are inventions. Excepting a large hole in the roof, the fort is undamaged., Besides much stores, two 75's and a heavy gun, which were left when the. French evacuated the fort, remain. The sixteen-inch howitzers which'set fire to Fort Douaumont, with four shells, representing a hundredweight of melinite, and also drove out the Germans from Fort Vanxj occupied a year in construction. ,

ANGLO-FRENCH MAINTAIN PRESSURE. 11 . \ IMPORTANT CAPTURE OF SNIPING HOT-BED. __ ''. (Australian and New Zealand Cable Association and Renter).'. LONDON, November 12, A French communique says: North of the Somme we made progress north of Saillisel and in the eastern portions of the village. The enemy violently bombarded the. whole'district.south .of the iSomme.,l An .attack sQiith:.east of Berny' was broken. We captured a trench opposite Armancourt. LONDON, November 12. Sir Douglas Haig reports: Last night we successfully released gas, southward of Ypres. (Australian and New Zealand Cable Association.) Eeceived November 13,5.5 p.m. LONDON, November 12. Mr Pereival Gibbon, writing to The Daily Chronicle, says: The capture of Regina Trench was a minor operation, but was necessary for various reasons, particularly because it. was a regular "hot-bed" of snipers, and had been taking'unceasing toll on our positions. One 'staff-officer declares: The barrage preceding the attack was the best we ever put over. The precision with which- the fire kept ahead of the infantry was wonderful. Artillery officers speak of the barrage in delighted tones. The task of the infantry was heavy but might have been worse. The remnants of the garrison surrendered in true "Hun fashion," the moment our bombers commenced to drive trench-wise. A noteworthy feature of the enemy defence was the variety of machine guns, including Russian maxims, and Austrian guns captured by the Russians and retaken by the Germans. The High Commissioner reports ■— ) LONDON, November 12 (11.40 p.m.) North of the Somme, our troops, by achieving the conquest of Saillisel, reduced with grenades some isolated positions in a part of the village where German fractions still resisted. All the village is now ours. The German losses in this, combat have been very high, judging by. the numerous, bodies in the conquered ground.