BRITISH ARMIES' CONTINUED ADVANCE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVII, Issue 16620, 27 August 1918, Page 5

BRITISH ARMIES' CONTINUED ADVANCE.

SIGNS OF GERMAN DEMORALISATION HOPEFUL MOVEMENTS IN KUSSIA. GEJJMAN DELATIONS WITH SPAIN. Press Association—By Tel.—Copyright

(High Commissioner's Cable.) "LONDON, Aiigust 25 4-20 priii.).Sir Douglas Hriig 'reports':—Tlxe hostile opposition increased witli tlie- -arrival of German renforcemeiits, but we progressed nevertheless, taking many prisoners. North of the Sonimo the Australians carried a position on the high ground. East of Bray Mametz lias been captured. In tlie centre we crossed the Albert-Bnpaume road' along tho whole length south of Bapaume, talcing MartinpuicTi, Le Sars, Warlencourt, Sapignies, Le Barque and Benarnies. The Third and Fourth Armies havecaptured 17,000 prisoners since 31st 'August. BRITISH ENTER BAPAUME. Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn. Received 5.30 p.m.. August 26th. NEW YOTSK, August 26. . Reports from the West Front state that the British are Entering Bapaume. BIG BAG FOR THREE DAYS, Received 9.25 p.m., August 26th. LONDON, August 26. Tho Fourth Army, including Australians, between the 18tli and the 21st captured over thirty thousand prisoners and nearly five hundred guns. BRITISH OUTPOST ADVANCE. Reuter's Telegrams. It is reported that tho British outposts have reached the fringe of;BuUecourt and have captured High Wood. AMERICANS TO MAKE BIG DRIVEL .' . WASHINGTON, August 24. Military circles arc elated at- the latest Allied success. A big drive by tho American Armv is expected in southern sectors of the West front. Mr James, a correspondent with the American Army, says:—The Germans launched three violent attacks in the Vesje sector. They were broken 'oy American trooDS. In one instance three German battalions attacked one. American, which held its ground. The fighting continued all the afternoon and night. AMERICANS IN FRANCE. General March says that the United States army overseas totals a million and a half. The American loss in recent attacks was not unreasonably heavy. One American division captured sixty-eight German guns recently, and' 3500 prisoner" 'General Pershing as yet has not organised the first American field army. American, aviators liombed Conflans. not losing a single machine. Minor fighting occurred along ihe Aisne. PRISONERS INTERVIEWED. United Service. Received 1.20 a.m.. August 27th. LONDON, August 26. A tour of tho cages on Sunday revealed that the Fortieth and Twentythird Saxon divisions had been added tn .the forces in the northern part of tho battlefield. tin? Savons being brought from Belgium. The prisoners included a large number of tli? Third Mnrines. who were caught eastward of Miramnont. whom thev were reinforcing Bavarians when Miraumont was pinched on Saturdav. Alsatian prisoners stated that the Germans were scattering in groups nil through the army. The.y declarer! that punishiMrn+ for desertion was visitcl on thrir families. In some cn<=es sisters were sent work in the front. Thi= is t"'o'.}■'' 'ly responsible for stories that the Her'none using women to fight on the battle, line.

"ENEMY SEEMS TO <• BE CRACKING."

Received 2.5 a.m., August- 27th. -U Ac Vinson states that Friday night and Saturday morning formed one of the -turning points in the present Somme campaign, perhaps of the whole war. -V high officer, who speaks with knowledge and caution, says: "The enemv seems to .be cracking." M r Nevinson adds: J?ire months ago wo thought we were cracking, therefore it is unsafe to prophesy; but there is no doubt that and f"™ 305 °PP°si»g our Third and Fourth Armies are disconcerted.

ENEMY'S RESERVES MIXED TJ! > . DEFENCE NEARLY BREAKING DOWN. A United Press correspondent states that oht of scanty reserves, badly needed elsewhere. ITindenburg anct I.udendorfE arc throwing in Prussians, Saxons. Bavarians and Marines, in an effort to check tho British progress on the Soimnc field. They arc tin-own in by regiments, not divisions. Some elements of the same divisions are now found as far apart as Biefvillers and Mamcitz. but notwithstanding attempts to repair holes in the line as fast as tliey develop the Germans continue retreating. only holdnig desperately some points like Bapaume. iu order to prevent a complete broking down of the defence, and turning a forced withdrawal into a riotous retreat. As it is. the disorganisation in some places is so great that British armoured cars are enabled to harass the traffic.