BRITISH SHOW IRRESISTIBLE DASH.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 864, 16 November 1916, Page 7

BRITISH SHOW IRRESISTIBLE DASH.

DESPERATE FIGHTING ON THE ANCRE. VILLAGES CLEARED AT BAYONET'S POINT. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received November 16, 11.30 a.m.) PARIS, November 15. The "Petit Parisien" says that Bcaumont-llainel and Beaucourt constituted formidable Germans bastions for many months. The number of prisoners taken is 6000, and the total enemy losses are estimated at 15,000. The British penetrated Beaumont on Monday morning. A terrific struggle ensued, but gradually the enemy retired until the occupation of the village was complete. The configuration of the ground favoured the enemy, who regained a foothold in the village, and opened a withering fire. Furious hand-to-hand fighting forced the British to yield ground, but they soon returned to the charge, swept through the village, and took prisoner every German who had not been killed. The British were further engaged in brisk fighting on the Beaumont Road, but the enemy line soon cracked up, the British gaining the road and linking up Beaumont and Beaucourt. The British entered Beaucourt after 36 hours' violent struggle, the advance here amounting to a mile and a-quarter in depth. The British fire dominates Grandcourt and Miraumont, which are the outposts of Bapaume.