FRENCH ACCOUNT OF THE NEW BRITISH ADVANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16283, 17 July 1916, Page 5

FRENCH ACCOUNT OF THE NEW BRITISH ADVANCE.

LOCALE THE PIVOT OF THE GERMAN BATTLE-FRONT.

ENEMY'S ENTIRE LINE NOW HIGHLY VULNERABLE.

RETIREMENT OF THE GERMANS CONSIDERED PROBABLE.

Australian and N.Z. Cable. (Received 7 p.m.)

PSRIS. July 15.

The British offensive against the German second line is regarded by the French as a magnificent effort to glorify France's national fete day. The battle is still raging along an extended front, but the successes attached to it already make July 14 one of the most brilliant days of the war.

Owing to the rapidity of their advance, the British quickly penetrated a front of nearly four miles, carrying a network of formidable defences, which had taken months to construct. They also cleared Trones Wood. The locale of the present attacks is the pivot of the German battle-front, and the most strongly defended point. General von Einem threw in strong reinforcements, but Sir Douglas Haig outgeneralled him. The new German troops failed to arrest the British advance- The ever-increasing bulge on the German front, between Hardecourt and Thiepval, makes the whole enemy line highly vulnerable. The capture of Longueval brings the British advanced forces in line with the French at Hardecourt. It is increasingly probable that von Einem will be forced to retire to new positions. The weather is cool and favourable to British operations.

Bazentin-le-Grand is one mile west of Longueval, and midway between that place and Contalmaison. Bazentin-le-Petit is one mile north-west of Bazentin-le-Grand.

From the fact that there have been comparatively few German officers among the prisoners since July 1, it is inferred that the officers organising the plans of resistance- instruct the men what to do and then retire to rear positions.

The importance of Pozieres is due to its position athwart the main road from Albert to Bapaume, which is Sir Douglas Haig's objective.