STERN WORK AHEAD OF THE BRITISH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16039, 4 October 1915, Page 5

STERN WORK AHEAD OF THE BRITISH.

FORMIDABLE DEFENCES TO BE OVERCOME.

FRENCH FACED BY THE VIMY PLATEAU.

Time? and Sydney Sun Services.

Lokbox, October 1.

The military correspondent of the London Times. Colonel Re.pington, writes :-" There is every reason to hope that the allies' advance in the west will be continued in due time with the same admirable forethought and resolution as distinguished the preliminary, operations. Sir John French's attack on Lens and La Bassee was satisfactory, but we must remember that the fortified agglomerations of La Bassee, are now flanking our new line. It cannot be ignored that on the northern flank of the new line, Haisnes, two miles south of La Bassee, on the La Basjsee-Lens Road, is still in German occupation. On the right flank, by capturing Hill 70 and the western outskirts of Hulluch, we are across the Lens-La Bassee Road, but remain a little in the rear, because the French have not yet become masters of the Givenchy-Vimy plateau, which, with its formidable defences, is still ahead. "We must bring into action all the means at our command. It is certain our leaders are not wasting an hour, but the attack on the third line requires special care, because the German general reserves are now up, and a severe struggle may be expected. We will be able to help our allies on the right. When they have turned the Germans off the Vimy plateau we will be able to advance shoulder to shoulder with the French. If the Germans think we have shot our bolt they will soon be undeceived. It is only the overture, and many Germans dread what is coming. There are signs that their r - local reserves are used up. We have succeeded-in our first 5 efforts -beyond expectation. The German headquarters are displaying their weakness by the failure to hold the ground on which they expected an attack, and also in foolishly concealing the truth" from the German people. We must expect the offensive to be attended by heavy loss." '

Hill 70 is a mile and a-half north of Lena. HaUuch is three miles BOuth of La Bassee, and, therefore, a mile south of TT^Tn^ Vimy is five miles north-east of Arras, and Givenchy lies north-west of Vimy, * m the direction of Souchea, which the French recently cantered.