WESTERN THEATRE

Southland Times, Issue 17967, 7 March 1917, Page 5

WESTERN THEATRE

THE GERMAN RETREAT INEVITABLE EFFECT ON ENEMY'S MORALE. BEGINNING OP THE SECOND PHASE (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright) (The Times.) LONDON, March 5. received March 6, 8.25 p.m. Mr Beach Thomas, who has returned to the Somme front after a lengthy absence, states that the main change is that the British are fighting better and the Germans worse. During trench war the British have certainly Inflicted heavier losses. A battalion at Loos claims that snipers accounted for thirty-eight Germans in a week, while there were no’ British casualties. The Germans on the Ancre have been promised an impregnable line of concrete dugouts, with cast-iron invisible emplacements, while the British will grovel in water-logged earthworks. Nevertheless the retreat is depressing the German morale. The first phase finished when the Germans reached the line of high ground north of Gommecourt to le Transloy. Already the British guns are bombarding it, and fires behind the lines Indicate that the second phase is coming. IMPREGNABLE NO LONGER THE ATTACK ON ST. PIERRE VAAST WOOD LONDON. March 5. Received March 6, 8.25 p.m. The Germans boasted that St. Pierre Vaast Wood, which is more than 1M miles square, was impregnable. Despite bitter opposition the British are already far along the south, storming and cap- . Turing trenches. BRITISH REPORT STRENGTHENING NEW POSITIONS CEASELESS RAIDS ON THE ENEMY (Australian & N.Z. Cable Assn & Reuter) LONDON, March 6. Received March 6, 10.5 p.m. Sir D. Haig reports: The enemy’s attack, eastward of Bouchavenes, was repulsed. We strengthened our positions eastward of Gommecourt, and carried out raids near Arras, the enemy suffering many casualties. We entered trenches southward of Guinchy, and took many prisoners. In air fights six German aeroplanes were brought down, and eight were damaged. Two of ours were brought down and five are missing. FRENCH OPERATIONS SUCCESSFUL COUNTER-ATTACK LONDON, March 6. Received March 6, 10.5 p.m. French communique; On the right of the Meuse a vigorous counter - attack ejected the e,nemy from the part of the line he occupied yesterday north of Courieres Wood.

An enemy attempt north of Fleury completely failed.

Our fire wrecked works at Hezang Wood. Three enemy aeroplanes were brought down.