FRENCH CAPTURE ROYE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12408, 28 August 1918, Page 5

FRENCH CAPTURE ROYE.

JBj Telegraph—Pres* Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received August 28, 9.15 a.m.) LONDON, August 27. At three o’clock this morning the Canadians, Scottish and Londoners attacked on both sides of the Scarpe, from Croisilles to the neighbourhood of Gavrelle. On the south bank the Canadians attacked gallantly, passed through the enemy’s foremost defences, and captured Orange Hill in their first rush. Despite rain storms they soon reached Wancourt and Monchy-le-Preus, capturing both, and progressing beyond them. North of the Scarpe the Scots captured the first German defences south of Gavrelle, and reached the outskirts of Rceux. .They also captured chemical works north of Rceiix. The Scots and Londoners completed the capture of the high' ground between Croisilles and- Heninel, taking many prisoners. ; Southward our advance continued on both hanks of the Somme. The 'Australians took Gappy and progressed eastward. Northward of the Somme River they captured Suzanne, and further north the English advanced in the direction of Montauhan. The Welsh captured Bazentin-le-Grand. Cur pressure everywhere has been maintained, and the line advanced in certain sectors. . Sir Douglas Haig’s aviation report states; — Uur low-fliers continued to harass the enemy by bombs and machine-gun fire. We dropped thirty-two tons of bombs on railway jixnctions, including Cambrai and Valenciennes dumps, and the Bruges dock|. We also successfully bombed an aerodrome.