WESTERN THEATRE

Southland Times, Issue 17966, 6 March 1917, Page 5

WESTERN THEATRE

the OEsauir retreat. AIDED BY THICK FOGS. PLANS CAREFULLY LAID. MOVEMENT PULL OP DANGER. (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright) (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) March 5. Received March 5, 10.15 p.m. Mr Philip Gibbs reports that the weather still favours the German withdrawal. In the thick fogs the airmen are helpless and the gunners are handicapped at a time when direct observation would be most valuable. It is doubtful if there will be anything sensational in the few days left. The only sensational thing yet has been the withdrawal Itself. The truth is very simple. The enemy decided to withdraw, and made plans carefully in order to frustrate any British plana to deal a knock-out. The retirement also saves men by shortening the line. The movement was timed remarkably well, and the enemy utilised the hard frost over which the guns and materials were moved. The last men were removed when the ground was a quagmire. The German scheme undoubtedly is to delay our advance to the utmost. He hopes to Impede our progress by belts of barbed wire, and well placed strong bodies of picked troops, and machine guns. There are also masses of heavy guns oast of B&paume, holding Bapaume as a pivot while the troops swing back.

Yet the enemy’s hopes are not certainties, and the position is fall of danger if any part of the scheme fails.

BBITISH BEPOBT ENEMY STm BE TREATING (Australian & N.Z. Cable Assn & Reuter) LONDON, March 5. Received March 5, 9.30 p.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports: We attacked and captured the enemy’s front and support lines eastwards of Bouchavesnes along a 1200 yard frontage. We heavily repulsed several counterattacks. The enemy continues to yield ground eastward of Gommecourt, where we advanced to a depth of 1200 yards on a frontage of two miles. EBENCH OPERATIONS GERMAN ATTACK BE PULSED PARIS, March 5. Received March 5, 9.30 p.m. Communique: There has been violent artillery activity east of the Meuse. A German attack on Courieres Wood, after an intense bombardment, reached our first line, but was completely ejected by our fire and counter-attacks. Our line was maintained. The French effectively bombarded enemy batteries in the region of Malancourt. EXTENSION OP BRITISH PRONT INCLUDES WHOLE OP SOMME OFFENSIVE LONDON, March 5. Received March 6, 12.45 a.m. The British front was known to have been recently extended south of the Somme. A French communique of Sth k’ebruary, still mentioned Beniecourt, north of Ablalncourt. Sir D. Haig first mentioned Ablaincourt on Thursday. It was then the southmost point hitherto mentioned In British communiques. The British line now covers the whole attacking front of the Somme offensive. The Anglo-French junction, when the offensive opened, was near Maricourt.