THE NEW SITUATION.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 14150, 29 July 1916, Page 5

THE NEW SITUATION.

WAR CORRESPONDENT'S VIEWS

MOST ELABORATE DEFENCES

PASSED

ENEMY

MASSING GREAT FORCES

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association)'

(Received July 28, .7:10 p.m'i) London, July 28

A correspondent writes: —

The capture of Pozieres distinctly improves the position on the Somme.l It is believed -that we. are through the Germans' most elaborate defences. The Germans are doubtless feverishly working for miles behind, but they have no tjrue to create anything like what has been passed.

I am well informed in saying that we- are not afraid of anything they can create, but they have enormous masses of infantry, which is now our most serious problem.

The "Westminster, Gazette,'s" mili-| tary correspondent says the capture of Pozieres may prove decisive. Pozieres and Longueval command the main roads converging upon Bapaume, whilst Foureaux Wood commands., the cross road running between them. The capture enables our attack to gather weight and momentum in falling into - the open agricultural country, requiring masses to resist it. - ■ C The capture of Pozieres decides the, crux of the battle in our favour. The "Daily Mail's" correspondent at Amsterdam says that two divisions of infantry and 4000 Uhlans have left the Ghent district, going southwards. There is a continuous stream of men and guns en route to the Somme: One hundred and fifty heavy guns and two divisions traversed Ghent by. railway in two days. V "The Germans have siispended pas- • senger communication between Belgium and Holland, and most stringent restrictions are imposed tipon. the inhabitants of Flanders and North France. It is believed that the majority of the Belgian garrisons have been sent to the firing line. Correspondents at- British headquarters detail the capture of scouting positions at Pozieres. The Territorials co-operating with the Anzacs had to work under great difficulty, and showed . the utmost dash and staunchness in clearing the Germans'out of the west of ' the village, whilst the Anzacs were attacking in the south-east. The ground is grid-ironed with enemy trenches and dptted with strongly fortified" machine gun posts. - In addition to the ground commanded from the-trenches before Pozieres and high'ground above Thiepval, the Territorials made a lot of smwr^ <*n the first night. Afterwards they continually forged ahead, rushing bits cf trench, and attacking machine gun posts till they functioned with! thf> Anzacs at the top of the village -or Tuesday even- ' ing- ■ * • , "

The British are now well established in ,the line to which the second main push begun on the~l£th was directed. Evidence accumulating showsthatthe enemy have concentrated great quantities of guns and; troops to oppose the next British move. .