SIR D. HAIG'S NEW TACTICS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16785, 29 August 1916, Page 5

SIR D. HAIG'S NEW TACTICS.

TERRIFIC BOMBARDMENTS. SPIRITS OF THE ARMIES. The Times. LONDON, August 27. (Received Aug. 28, at 7.5 p.m.) The Times correspondent at headquarters writes: "An ever-increasing ferocity and localisation in bombardment illustrate a new form of strategy developed by Sir Douglas Haig. The formula comprises a sudden attack succeeding terrific artillery work. No bombardments in the war are comparable with the indescribable punishment inflicted upon the German positions by our successive advances upon Thiepval. The horror of these hurricane bombardments is increased by their suddenness. They come without warning as if the sky had been suddenly darkened, the earth e\ploded, and the heavens opened for a hailstorm, of which every stone is a thunderbolt." The correspondent pays a tribute to the armies' spirits. The men are full of jesting and laughter. There is no sign of staleness or failing confidence. The greatly increased proportion of officers captured in recent actions suggests the likelihood of a new German regulation that officers must not save their own lives, but remain and hold the men from surrendering. Another possibility is that the intensity of the artillery bombardment makes escape impossible. ARTILLERY ACTIVITY. ENEMY BOMB STORES EXPLODED. Australian and N.Z. Cable Associatioa LONDON, August 28. (Received Aug. 28, at 8.45 p.m.) Sir Douglas Haig reports : Bad weather hampered our operations. Wc gained ground west of Gumchy. There was artillery activity on both sides. We blew up some Bomb stores and exploded mines between Neuve Ghapelle and Armentieres. ANTWERP GARRISON. GOING TO THE FRONT, v AMSTERDAM, August 27. (Received Aug. 28, at 8.5 p.m.) The Echo de Beige learns that there are constant night movements of German trains, conveying troops from the Antwerp garrison to the front. DEPORTATION OF BELGIANS. A START MADE. AMSTERDAM, August 27. (Received Aug. 28, at 8.5 p.m.) It is rumoured that the Germans intend to deport Belgians similarly to the inhabitants of Northern France. It is repoited that 1200 have already left Ghent. GERMANY'S HOPES. TO EXHAUST THE ALLIES. PARIS, Auugst 28. (Received Aug. 23, at 8.45 p.m.) According to Amsterdam news, the Germans are said to be abandoning further important action on the west front and continuing purely defensive action, hoping to prolong the war until the enemy is exhausted.