FIERCEST FIGHTING CONTINUES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLI, Issue 9417, 2 August 1916, Page 5

FIERCEST FIGHTING CONTINUES

ANGLO-FRENCH OBJECTIVES

AIRMEN’S ACTIVITY

BRITISH SUPERIORITY IN MEN

By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright, (Received August 1, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 31. , Dutch reports show the cessation of big movements of German reinforcements westward, proving that her man-power' is now on the West tront, out sho is still rushing guns, hoping to counteract the British superiority m men. It is estimated that there are seven hundred German batteries on tne Botnnio frol1 The fiercest fighting continues. A spell of hot, clear weather is facilitating the air work, wherein the Anglo-French aviators maintain their superior*ty’ The immediate Anglo-French objectives are Ginchy, Gmllemont, and Maurepas, screening the township of Cojnhles, which the Cronnanfi inave transformed into a fortress. „ _ ~ ... ~ , Any French progress east of the Olery-Oombles line will threaten tne German position at Peronne, which is still the main object of the French attack. There is fierce fighting in the woods north of the main road to Gmcny The woods are strongly organised by the Brandenburgers, who had taken up a position in a wood after the defeat at Longueval and Delvule Wood. The Britishers have sworn to complete the rout or the Brandenburgers from their new position. ~ . ~ + A continuous supply of heavy shells is the governing factor is tne ngnxing. _ „ THE FIGHTING AT WATERLOT FARM HOW THE GALLANT SCOTS WENT FORWARD. Australian and New Zealand Cable Association. 1 (Received August 1, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 81. ' Mr Philip Gibhs, describing Sunday’s fighting in the vicinity of Waterlot Farm, states:—“Our artillery maintained a heavy bombardment to support the infantry’s advance over difficult ground. Many Germans surrendered in the early stages. The Germans’ work of digging new trenches east of tne Longueval-Guillemont road was upset by the Britishers. ■ , ■ . “‘The Scots initiated a forward movement from Waterlot Farm, winds was only a collection ol ruined buildings. Leaving at dawn, -hey'reaonetl the first German lines with few casualties, but they found the enemy holding a trench across the railway line strongly, with the next trenches east of the road, whence they enfiladed the attackers. The Scots hid in a senes of shell craters, where they were' attacked by a large force of German ma-nhine-Kuns. and forced to retire to their trenches, our machine-gunners covering the retreat, and mowing down many of the enemy. “Later, the Scots were reinforced, and they prac ically wiped out o strong force of enemy bombers and men carrying munition boxes. By this dme some of the gunners were sick of the business. A party emerged with their hands up, and the Soots went out to bring them m. . The enemy in the trenches beyond opened fire and killed a number of their own men and night, stretcher-bearers found a wounded Scot whom a German patrol left behind because .he gave them a drink. The Germans wished him good luck arid a safe return to his own lines.” NO INFANTRY FIGHTING ON BRITISH FRONT ALL ENEMY ATTACKS ON THE . FRENCH FAIL. The High Commissioner reports:- Ju]y 31> ' n , 55 p . m . There was no infantry fighting on the British front to-day, and no important incident occurred. The Royal Flying Corps effected several raids and dropped seven tons of bombs on the enemy’s communications and billets: A train was blown up. and an ammunition depot fired, also a hostile aeroplane, which was on the ground, was destroyed. Many aerial combats took place, and several enemy machines were brought down in a damaged condition. Three of our machines are missing. AT.T. ENEMY ATTACKS ON THE FRENCH FAILS. LONDON, August l\ 12.10 a.m. French official “North of the Somme, the Germans continued their attack on Hem Wood and Monaseu Farm. All attempts failed with serious enemy losses, we holding all the conquered positions. . "On the righl bank oi the Meuse, violent figntmg continues, in the sectors of Thiaumont work and Fleury. There was no event of importance on the rest of the front. , , , .... , , . , “On Sunday night, ore of our squadrons bombarded military factories at Thionville, stations at Conflans and Audun le Roman, also encampments in the region of Etain.” BRITISH ADVANCE AT SOME POINTS GERMAN ATTACKS REPULSED BY FRENCH. Australian and-New Zealand Cable Association. LONDON, July 31. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—We have advanced at some points on the plateau northward of.Bazentin le Petit. _ A Paris communique states:—Violent German counter-attacks at the Hem Wood and Monaseu Farm gained the enemy a footing. Our counteroffensive drove the Germans out. We have progressed south-east of Fleury. THE HIGH COMMISSIONER’S CONFIRMATION. The,High Commissioner reports:— b LONDON. July 31, 2.50 p.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—During the night we improved positions gained yesterday. . As the result of local encounters we advanced at some points on the pla--teau northward of Bazentin le Petit. LONDON, Julv 81, 3.5 p.m. A French official report says:—Northwards of the Somme last evening and during the night, the Germans multiplied their counter-attacks on positions at Hem Wood and Monaseu Farm. Fighting was particularly violent towards Monaseu Farm, where the enemy, for an instant, got a footing. A brilliant return offensive immediately enabled us to resume possession. At Hem Wood all adversary attacks were repulsed by our fire. In the course of these attacks our batteries to the left of the river enfiladed the Germans, inflicting heavy losses. GERMAN ACCOUNT OF THE SITUATION. Australian and New Zealand Cable Association. LONDON, July 31. A Berlin communique states:— The English operat.ons at Pozieres and Longueval heralded a great bombardment by the British and French on the whole front from Longueval to the Somme. ... The enemy employed at least six divisions in the attaok op Pozieres and Longueval, but was repulsed everywhere with frightful losses. The British did not gain a foot of Jeround. We captured 12 officers and 769 men.