PAUSE IN THE CONFLICT

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLII, Issue 11615, 14 August 1918, Page 5

PAUSE IN THE CONFLICT

WAITING FOR BIG GUNS GATHERING NEW STRENGTH London, Aug. 12. litis premature to regard the r pause on tbs Western Front as closing the offensive. Time is needed to oriug up artillery and reorganise, prior to a further push. Renter’s correspondent at the British headquarters, on the evening of the 33th inst., says: Stiff fighting is in progress to-day, the main feature of which Is the greatly increased enemy artillery and machineguuning, proving the rapid swelling of reinforcements. Our long range 60-poundsrs have some bridges on the Somme uuder steady fire, so enemy communications must be difficult —‘sometimes deadly. In tliß;meiglibourhood of Hulhu, ground was retaken by a counter attack after we were forced tc fall back therefrom.

Reuter’s correspondent at the French headquarters, writing on the afternoon of the 12th, says: The period of arrest in the development of the battle continues. This morning some villages behind our front were heavily bombarded by the enemy, hoping to disperse troops’ concentrations. A pause while we are gathering strength for a further pash on the new line is probable.