BRIDGES ON SONDE BLOWN UP BEHIND ENEMY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16926, 12 August 1918, Page 5

BRIDGES ON SONDE BLOWN UP BEHIND ENEMY.

BRILLIANT SUCCESS RIVALS MESSINES BATTLE. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, Aug. 9. French troops north-west of Montdidier advanced four miles. The British and French advance has reached a maximum depth of 11 miles, while British cavalry is within a mile of Chaulnes. The majority of the 14,000 prisoners taken by the British were captured by the Australians and the Canadians. It is reported that the Canadian cavalry has surrounded a large force of Germans. The Australians are fighting north of the Somme. The British casualties on the first day were only 9000. The Germans on the Amiens front are blowing up ammunition dumps. Allied airmen have blown up bridges over the Somme behind the enemy's line. French military opinion is satisfied that the Germans must evacuate Montdidier. The German position on the River Aisne is not affected by the advance, but the enemy can hardly stand on the Montdidier front, which undoubtedly will be evacuated. Correspondents declare that even the Messines battle did not equal yesterday's brilliant £<" jess. A German officer's captured diary frankly and bitterly admits the allied air supremacy, the airmen dropping bombs past all counting day and night with clockwork regularity, from a height well beyond anti-aircraft guns. The Germans recaptured Chipilly, on the north bank of the Somme, three miles south-east of Morlancourt, after fierce fighting in a strong counter-attack. The United Press states that tho advance continues amid growing enemy confusion. British cavalry has taken further villages, and the troops are approaching Chaulnes. The British were unable to retain the summit of Chipilly, and fighting there continues heavy. Progress was made elsewhere unhampered. The French and British cavalry are.. cutting up retreating columns. The bridges at Peronne and Brie have been destroyed. " T -, 1 . :' J;'. 1 -' 4>