THE GREAT ADVANCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11806, 18 September 1916, Page 1

THE GREAT ADVANCE.

UNDAU..TED BRITISH FURY. GERMANS BREAK IN DESPAIR. KOW C:URCELET;E WAS TAKEN Australian and N.iJ. Cable Association. (Received September 13, 8.55 a.m.) LONDON, September 1?. The "Daily Chronicle's" Paris corstates that the British advance was moat rapid in the direction of Flers. The new armoured cars, starting trom Delville Wood, rained iron on the defenders, and new units were ceaselessly throwjn into the fight along tho whole front. After taking the first lines, the British found themselves in front of new defences, well armoured and strongly manned, and it was only when the enemy were disheartened by their terrible losses and the arrival of tre-h troops on the ground that they .abandoned them in a state of panic. The capture of Courceletto was one of the most brilliant feats. Tho contest was proceeding since the morning, and the result was still uncertain, i>s the enemy were receiving strong reinforcerae*ts by tho Albert-Bapaume lload. British columns nttaekorl the village early in the afternoon, and ?iriiUh and Bavarians fought in tho .streets with revolvers, knives and fist^. The garrison, unable to further rout their assailants' fury, surrendered in despair. The fighting at Martinpuic'n was very lard, aud tho commander of a surrendering battalion confessed that it was impossible to withstand the irresistible British push.