GENERAL WAR NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 17789, 19 July 1916, Page 2

GENERAL WAR NEWS

EARLIER CABLES ZMTO&TANT BBZTZSK SUCCESSES * (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright) (Australian & N.lo. Cable Association.) LONDON, July 17. Sir Douglas Haig reports: Further important successes have widened the gap in the German second lino. We captured 1500 yards of trenches northwest of Bazemln-le-Petit and Waterlot farm, east of Longucval. The High Commissioner reports. London, July 17: — On the British front further important successes have been gained. North and west of Bazentln-le-Petlt Wood we stormed and captured the German second line of positions on a front of 1500 yards. The large number of German dead In this sector bears evidence of the very heavy casualties which the enemy have suffered since our advance. East of Longueval we have still further widened the gap in the German second line by capturing the strongly-defended position of Waterlot farm. On our left flang at Ovillers and Lu Boiselle, where there has been continuous hand-to-hand fighting since July 7. we captured the remaining enemy strongholds, with two officers and 124 Guardsmen, who formed the remnants of their brave garrison. The whole village is now captured. THE BRITISH ASTAITCE PARIS, July 17. To-day's review describes the British advance. The whole of the German positions have beep broken on a front of 6J miles, besides a dent in the third line at Eroureak Wood. It is officially announced that the staff of the hospitals within the Somme battle area conferred Iron Crosses on the wounded. A OAXXAHT TEAT OT ASM! OLOBT TOE THE WEST KENTS LONDON. July 17. An eye-witness of the West Kents' historic stand In Trones Wood describes it as one of the.finest exploits of the war. Intense German artillery fire, followed up desperate attacks with fresh infantry, had forced back the British ■ troops on both flanks of the Kentishmen early on the second day, and retreat was impossible. A wounded Kent man reached tbe main British lines with a message that the defenders were hard pressed on all sides, but would hold out longer if It were essential to do so. Messages were sent that relief was coming. Meanwhile the Kents were fighting in a blazing furnace. The trenches were pounded to dust by the high explosives, and flame Jets and gas were turned on at intervals. There was also constant bomb attacks. A band of picked Germans once penetrated the trenches, but their triumph was short-lived. The Kents staggered the Germans with tbeir bayonet charge, and took a number of prisoners and drove out the rest. There was fighting at close quarters of the deadliest character. “COICE aNd TAXE nr' When the Kentish line was broken the Huns were so sure of victory that they dashed forward calling on them to surrender. “Come and take us,” was the scornful reply. Many German shells fell short, and exploded among the attackers, until the disordered column disappeared in utter rout. , As the second day wore on, the Kents heard the shouts of their comrades fighting their way to the beleaguered lines. This stirred up the enemy to a final effort. A column of Infantry renewed the attack, but the Kents only rolled up their sleeves and settled down to the last round. The Kents had an immense reception from the British line after they were relieved. Their stand was a particularly brilliant one, as many of the lads were under fire for the first time. THE TKEJfCH LINE 6ZNKAN TRENCH RAZZ) The High Commissioner reports, London, July 17: — A Paris communique states: Between the Oise and the Alsne a strong enemy reconnaissance was dispersed by the French fire near Moulin sous Touvent. In the Champagne a German coup de main on a trench in the "Sector Russe” was repulsed by a Russian counter-at-tack, with heavy enemy losses. On the Verdun front the night was relatively calm, except at Hill 304, where the fusillade was lively. West of the Fleury elements the French troops made some progress, capturing three mitrailleuses. On the Lorraine front, after a bombardment, the enemy twice attacked positions in the region Han, eastward of Nomeny, both of which were repulsed, the French taking some prisoners. 7HEHOX RB7BL ATTACKS TOTAL 07 NEARLT 13JMQ PRISONERS PARIS. July 17. A communique states: A strong enemy reconnaissance was dispersed in the neighbourhood of Moulin-Touvent, A coup de main directed against a trench in the Russian sector in Champagne was repulsed with heavy losses. West of Fleury some elements of our troops progressed. Two enemy attacks south-east of Nomeny-Lorralne were repulsed and some prisoners taken. Semi-official: From July 1 to 13 the French captured 235 officers and 12,741 men. Many guns and war material are still burled iu the wrecked trenches.

THE TBEBTHrO AUSTRIANS’ REARGUARD EIGHT The High Commissioner reports, London, July 17:—In the X T pper Posina Valley the enemy tried to stop an Italian advance, delivering heavy attacks, supported by concentrated artillery, between Col Santo and Monte Toearo. The Italians counter-attacked, and after severe hand-to-hand fighting, repulsed the enemy along the whole front. In the Toho' Valley, Posina sector, an attempt to surround the Italians north-west of Mount Seluggio wos frustrated by the Italian lire. ARMENIAN MASSACRES PARIS, July 17. The special correspondent of Le Journal in Armenia gives details of tin; horrible massacres at Kharpoett. The Turks arrested the Armenian intellectuals, bound them, and shot them in groups of 50. The last hatch revolted the evening before their martyrdom and set tire to their prison, preferring to he burnt to death to being massacred. The Turkish authorities therefore summoned the pupils of the Central School and of the French Armenian Colleges, a.nd assembled them in the square at night, where they were massacred. The dead and wounded were flung together into an immense ditch which they had previously been compelled to dig. SUBMARINE CAMPAIGN LONDON, July IT. Tlie steamers Alto, Ecolesta, Antigua, and Silverton were sunk off the east coast of Britain. Their crews have landed. PREPARING POR POSSZBIIdTXES AMSTERDAM. July IT. The Telegraaf states ’ that the Gormans are removing all books and documents from Oslend and other places, as they arc no longer considered safe. Flanders is full of soldiers, including hoys of 18 years old, who entered service only two months ago. ANNEXATION OP RKJ3GXUM NEW TORE, July 17. A United Press despatch says that the Berlin Press are divided as to the wisdom of the Chancellor’ opposition to the annexation of Belgium. The Cologne Gazette defends the Chancellor, asserting that it will b« a mistake to swap linrieps in Ih<’ middle of the stream. This

paper also acknowledges that the British have huge reserves in Flanders, enabling them to make continuous attacks with fresh troops. Count Reventlow considers that the Chancellor’s pplicy is unwise, as the Allies will Interpret it as a sign of Germany's weakening. The newspapers are discussing the possibility of peace following the Allies’ offensive. The Tageblatt opines that the Allies will now endeavour to induce Greece and Koumania to participate in the war. ZTAUUUT MOVEMENTS HOME, July 17. A communique, states that the enemy in the Upper Posina Valley tried to stop our advance and attacked heavily supported by concentrated artillery. We counter-attacked between 00l Santo and Monte Toraro. The enemy were repulsed along the whole front. The Germans in Turkey have organised eight new divisions under German officers, which will be sent to one of the European fronts. BBITAUTS EXXTOT3JITX7BE AMSTBRDAMj.TuIy 17. Delegates representing 150,000 organised workmen resolved urging the Government to supply and distribute foodstuffs. The German steamers Bussard, Edward and Martini, escaped from Rotterdam, where they have been since the outbreak of the war. The Edward returned, fearing capture. CB3KZSTXAHS 07 LEBANON LONDON. July 17. A Mussulman, writing to the Journal de Geneve, protests against the cruelties of the Young Turks to the Christians Of Lebanon. He states that 80,000 have already died from starvation since the beginning of the war, and that many thousand persons of the highest Syrian society have been deported.