FRANCO-BRITISH OFFENSIVE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16787, 31 August 1916, Page 5

FRANCO-BRITISH OFFENSIVE

THE BRITISH FRONT. CONSOLIDATING GAINS. Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association. LONDON, August 29. Sir Douglas Haig reports minor enterprises only. We are gradually consolidating our gams between the western Oi tskirts of Guillemont and Guinchy. We made progress south-east of Thiepval. We bombarded Neuve Chapelle and Bois Gienier. THE THSEPVAL FIGHT. A DRAMATIC STORY. SHEER LUCK AND GOOD GUNNERY. LONDON, August 29. (Received Aug 30, at 5.45, p.m.) Mr Philip Gibbs, writing in the Daily Chronicle, tells a dramatic story o! the repulse of the Prussian Guards a i Thiepval: The Wiltshires and Worcesters discovered that the Prussians w ere gathering for a counter-attack, and it was necessary to send ru..ners to the rear and warn the commanders. Several tried to take the message, and all were killed. Finally one, by sheer luck, lost his direction and staggered amidst the shell smoke and craters until he found himself on the edge of the (ier= man trenches, which were crowded with Prussians with fixed bayonets. He turned back, survived the German barrage, reached the rear line unscathed, and delivered his message at the heavy batteries, which, in an offi= cer's words, were " smashing the German lines. In three shakes the Prus« sians were caught in a storm of shell, and the trench was filled, with mangled bodies. Counterattacks thereafter had no chance."

CAPTURES BY BRITISH. LONDON, August 30. (Received Aug. 30, at 7.25 p.m.) Sir Douglas Haig reports : Since July 1 we have taken prisoner 266 officers and 15,203 men, and have captured 86 guns <md 150 machine guns. FABRICATING SUCCESSFUL OPERATIONS. LATEST HUN DODGE. LONDON, August 29. (Received Aug. 30, at 7.25 p.m.) It is noteworthy that German communiques dated August 27 and 28 pretend that violent Franco-British attacks were made and repulsed north of the Somme. It is authoritatively stated that there have been no operations on the Somme front for the pa&t three days except by details, all of which succeeded. It is evident that the German General S-talf is anxious to sustain the morale of the people by recounting imaginary victories, and also to explain why they are unalile to aid their allies. ONLY ARTILLERY WORK. INTENDED GERMAN ATTACK DISPERSED. LONDON, August 30. (Received Aug. 30, at 8.5 p.m.) Sir Douglas Haig reports : Apart from bombing encounters the only infantry engagement was a. small German attack on the Pozieres windmill, which our fire quickly dispersed. Heavy thunderstorms hampered observation, but the Germans heavily shelled Delville Wood, Pozieres, Authuille, and Thiepval Woods. There are artillery duels at Guinchy, Givenchy, and Ypres. IMAGINARY ENGAGEMENTS. GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT. LONDOjN, August 30. (Received Aug 30, at 8.5 p m.) A Herman communique states : The British lepcatedly attacked in considerable force between Thiepval and Pozieres, buL failed with sanguinary losses. Violent hand-to-hand fighting continue* noithward of Ovillei'S. \\ e repulsed grenade attacks at Dohillo Wood and south ea-st of Guillemont. Waves of Fiench attackers between the Thiaumont work and Fleury broke under our artillery, machine gun, and rifle fire. ['I Ins is the report which is officially desMibed, according to another cable mw-viRC, as being of purely imaginary encounters.] THE FRENCH FRONT. SUBSTANTIAL GAINS. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. PARIS, Augus-t 29 A communique states . Our brr-k cnonuig operation south-t'eut ot the Thiaumoiit woik lc-'ulted in sub-iantial gains of ground. Geima.ii attacks between Fleuiv and Vaux Fort failed, u ith heavy enemy losses