THE BRITISH FRONT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12407, 27 August 1918, Page 5

THE BRITISH FRONT.

< SIR DOUGLAS HAIG’S ■■ REPORT.

A STEADY ADVANCE.

A. »nd N.Z, Cfcble Amoci&tion and Renter.

(Received August 27, 10.15 a.ra.) 1 LONDON, August 26.

Sir Douglas Haig reports;—

Hostile opposition increased to-day with the arrival of German reinforcements. Many German counter-attacks broke down with loss under our fire. Our troops, despite counter-attacks, fought their way forward with great gallantry, and, overcoming resistance, made further progress, taking many prisoners. On the northern bank of the Somme the Australians, by a successful attack early in the morning, carried the enemy’s position on .the high ground eastward of Bray, while on their left the London and east county divisions continued to advance in the direction of Carnoy and have taken Mnmetz. The Welsh captured Mametz Wood. In the centre of our attack wo crossed the Albert-Bapaume road along its whole length southward of Bapaume, and captured Martinpuich, Lo Sars and lo Barque Northward of Bapaume severe fighting occurred at T'avreuil and about Mory and Croisilles.

We progressed eastward of Behngnies and in Neuvill Vitasse. A- counter-attack against our Givenchy sector was repulsed.

STILL PROGRESSING.

i FAVREUIL CAPTURED. I

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received August 27, 10.5’ a.m.) LONDON, August 25

Sir Douglas Haig reports;— Our troops at three o’clock this morning attacked in the Scarpe sector. Good progress is reported on the southern battlefront. Wo slightly advanced our line astride the Somme, and by a successful operation, carried out on Sunday, progressed in the direction of Maricourt. The enemy, on Sunday evening, launched strong counter-attacks southward and northward of Bapaume, also in tho neighbourhoods ot Eancourt, I’Abbaye and Favreuil. The attacks were repulsed. Northward ot Favreuil we met tho enemy with the bayonet, inflicting heavy casualties and taking prisoners. Another counter-attack, later in tho evening, in the neighbourhood of Favreuil, was also unsuccessful. Favreuil is in our hands, and we have made progress beyond the village. Wo improved our -position south-eastward ofMory and westward of Croissilles/ Heavy rain is now falling along the battlefront. CASUALTIES AND PRISONERS. NEA|I|NG'^LON CU EVAL., Ve&i ” : -V; Australian- b®kN.Z. CablovASaooiation. (Received August 27, 8,40 a.m.) ; ' _ NEW YORK, August 26. ' The British casualties in the Third and Fourth Armies from August 21 to August 25 are estimated at-"23,000. German prisoners exceed 2(),U(K). The British on Sunday captured 1500 prisoners. Tho British are near Longueval. THE AUSTRALIAN# CAPTURES. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association, (Received August 27, 9.10 a.m.) LONDON, August ,26. Tho Australians have captured:!2,ooo Bermans since August 8--a larger number than the, Australian casualtiesLATEST CAPTURES. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. . (Received August' 27, 12.25 p:m.) NEW YORK,"August 26. The British have captured Suzanne And Gappy, and‘have reached tho outskirts of Thillof.

Tba-fcabla news in this issue accredited to N Tho Times" baa appeared in that journal, but only where expressly stated is such news the editorial opinion of The Times." Other cable messages, unless stated to the contrary, ha?o been received through Iho AualraUw imd New Zealand Cable Association.