DESPERATE STRUGGLE FOR GROSSING OF THE ANCRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16936, 23 August 1918, Page 5

DESPERATE STRUGGLE FOR GROSSING OF THE ANCRE.

RIVER AM) RAILWAY LINE A FORMIDABLE BARRIER.

MIRAUMONT FORMING A PRONOUNCED 'SALIENT-

Australian and N.Z.

> (Received 6.15 p.m.)

LONDON, 'Aug. 31.

.', The headquarters correspondent ,of the United Press writes: The Germans fought desperately before permitting a crossing to made of the Ancro and the, railway near Beaucourt-sur-Ancre, the southern limit of' the British attack. .The : combination of ,' railway • and river made this gain more costly than the taking of the town itself, where the casualties were said to be only three, though we took nearly 1 DO prisoners. '■■■ Some of the greatest difficulties were overcome by the afternoon. Logeast Wood has apparently yielded, but Miraumont is still holding out, the defences about it forming a marked salient in the British line.

The immediate rear of the fighting line affords odd contrasts. The soldiers are harvesting in the wheatfields, while • the zone of women farmers ends about a mile further back. Meanwhile fresh troops, headed by cheerful brass bands swing past on their way to the front.