WESTERN FRONT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLI, Issue 11700, 21 October 1916, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

THE COMMANDER SUMS

UP.

SUSTAINED SUCCESSFUL OFFENSIVE.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF BRITISH SUPERIORITY.

London, Oct. 20.

Sir Douglas Haig, summing up operations since the last summary, says: In the area between Thiepval and Le Sara we gradually won a series of strong positions. Fighting was heavy and prolonged. The enemy' resisted stubbornly until we surrounded one place after another and large numbers were pnsonered. We bad to repel repeated counter attacks. Generally these were stopped by artillery and machine guns, but where tbe enemy traversed the barrage and reached our lines, they were thrown back by infantry rifle fire with heavy losses. Once or twice they gained a foothold in a trench. Then they were promptly driven out with the bayonel. The prisoners taken since the beginning of July number 28,91 8. One of our divisions, which had previously had many days’ hard fighing, took prisoner in action on October 7tb, eight officers and 474 men. A captured document from German headquarters, acknowledging the superiority of British airmen, suggests methods of reorganisation whereby it is hoped to be possible, at least for some hours, to contest the enemy’s supremacy of tbe air. Assisted by aeroplanes, our artillery has established and maintained clear superiority over the enemy. It supported tbe infantry, disorganised arrangements behind the enemy’s front lines and also hindered the arrival of reserves and supplies. It allows no rest, and materially assists in wearing down the morale, which is vital-to success in battle. The enemy infantry has shown that it wanted endurance and devotion. Captured documents bear clear testimony of the effect of our continuous artillery fire, dash, discipline, infantry attacks and quality of the men.