ADVANCING ALL ALONG THE LINE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 14235, 1 March 1917, Page 3

ADVANCING ALL ALONG THE LINE.

BRITISH NEARING BAPAUME

< GERMANS ENDEAVORING TO DX-

LAY THE BRITISH

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.:

(Received March 1 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 28. Mr Philip Gibbs, telegraphing on the 27th, states : — The troops still advance all along the line to positions whence the enemy is withdrawing, meeting resistance- here and vhere. Bodies of men are left behind with machine-guns m order ,to delay pursuit. There was outpost fighting m the neighborhood of Vuux Wood, Ross.ignol Wood, and East Gomraecourt. The enemy & guns put over a shrapnel barrage, but did not succeed iv checking our men long.

We captured ground m Northern PuisieuXi Thus far Puisieus has nut been hea-vily bombarded. Many rained houses still stand, forming good cover for the enemy's machine guns. They are apparently determined to sell the place as dearly as possible. Early on the 27th a. party of Britishers established themselves securely m a cornei- of the village, and are now routing a. hornets' nest at Puisieux. Thence our line thrust out far beyond Miraumont, lieauregard, and Dovecot. The enemy, before retiring, built many obstacles ami wire entanglements. In some places .they were thick and unbroken, particularly :n th« trenches.

South of Loupart Wood m one ease the outposts found belts of wire twelve feet thick. German gunners were hidden on the other side.

Heavy explosion* have been heard m the direction of Jiapaume, where great destruction is taking place to hamper our entry.