BRITISH THRUST.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 7749, 15 July 1916, Page 3

BRITISH THRUST.

ON A FOUR MILE FRONT. MANY PRISONERS TAKEN. ITALIAN ADVANCE. AN IMPORTANT CAPTURE. The British forces have made another forward move, and seized the enemy’s second lino on a four-mile front. Several important positions have been captured, and many prisoners taken. News from the Italian front indicates an important success by the Italians as the result of the explosion of a huge mine.

United Press Association. —By BRITISH SUCCESSES. GAINED AT SMALL COST. TROOPS IN HIGH SPIRITS. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received This Day, Noon). LONDON, July 14. An important afternoon despatch from the war correspondents’ headquarters stutes: — Later reports tend to confirm the first accounts of the success of the British attack, which carried the second German line with small losses. Prisoners are surrendering freely, and include a regiment, the commander, lii» stall, three artillery officers, and 150 infantry officers. The men reached camp by nine in the morning. We stormed and captured Bazenlin and Lapesite. Fighting is also proceeding around Ovillers. We have taken practically the whole village. Several German counter-attacks against Hie new positions were successfully repulsed. We are now consolidating our gains. The troops are in high spirits at their successes. A BRITIBH TraST. FIERCE FIGHTING. CAPTURE OF ENEMY HOWITZERS. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received This Day, 9 a.m.) PARIS, July 14. The “Petit Parisien” states that after a bombardment of great intensity on Thursday the British infantry assailed the German second position along almost the entire line. The fighting was most fierce on both sides. The British seized trenches at several points. The capture of howitzers indicates that the fightipg was over a good depth, inasmuch as howitzers are not found in the first lines of trenches. LONDON, July 14. The British forces attacked and broke into a four-mile front of the enemy. FRIGHTFUL HAVOC. GROWN STREWN WITH CORPSES HEAVY CASUALTIES. LONDON, July 14. Though the British and French communiques studiously refrain from details, il is unofficially known that a stern battle is proceeding. The Allies’ gains north of the Somme have been steadily extended in the last three days. The German situation at Pozieres is serious, as the British successes thereabouts have enabled the French to extend their lines in the Hardecourt direction to Maurepas. The Crown Prince in the last two days launched 50,000 men in the direction of Nouville Fort. Some ground was gained at a terrible sacrifice. Hundreds of machine guns lined the slopes and wrought frightful havoc for days. The British casualty lists covering the first days of the offensive include 1800 officers, whereof 340 were killed. To-day’s list includes 101 New Zealand rank and file. A TOUHH JOP. BRITAIN’S DETERMINATION. United Service. (Received This Day 9 a.m.) LONDON, July 14. The “Vossische 'ZeitungV’ correspondent on the West front says:— The Germans are faced with the toughest job of the whole war against the British, who appear determined at any sacrifice to succeed. Attacks and counter-attacks are unceasing. The “Frankfurter Zeitung” estimates that the Allies fired three million shells in seven days during the bombardment preceding the Somme offensive. ITALIAN SUCCESS. GREAT MINE EXPLODED. IMPORTANT STRATEGIC POSITION CAPTURED. WELLINGTON, This day. The High Commissioner reports:— The Italians heat o*ii an enemy counter-attack at Mount Mail). On the Sette plateau there has been heavy fighting. On Tuesday, in the Tofana region, we exploded a powerful mine, entirely blowing up a position on the Castelhdto summit, eastward of Peak Coldeibois. This commands the road to the Dolomites, giving us entire possession of the whole country. The Austrian occupying force at the summit is buried in the wreckage. I Last night the enemy made an at--1 tempt to regain the lost position, ! which we had strongly fortified. The attempt completely broke down, the enemy losing heavily.

Blactric Telegraph.— Copyright. | GREAT ACTIVITFPRESSURE MAINTAINED. BRITISH ADVANCE. WELLINGTON, This day, The High Commissioner reports:— Artillery on both sides is active. As a result of sharp infantry fighting we have not only maintained the pressure on the enemy, but have appreciably advanced our line at various points of the front. On one sector wo captured some German howitzers and a quantity of ammunition, which will he 'used against the enemy when a suitable opportunity arises. General Haig at dawn attacked the second line of enemy defences and broke into positions on a front of four miles, capturing several strongly defended localities. Heavy fighting continues. The British captured Longueval and Bazcntin le Grand, and cleared Trones Wood. Northwards of the Aisne, in tile region southwards of Villeu-de-Bois, and on the plateau Vauclere, two German attempted attacks were immediately arrested by our machinegun fire. On tlie right bank of the Meuse artillery fighting is very active on the sector at Souville, and there have been some patrol engagements in Chenois Wood. CONTALMAIBON. WHAT IT COST THE ENEMY. Australian and N.Z. Ca’>l > Association. (Received This Day 10 a.m.) PARIS, July 14. The Gorman casualties at Contalmaison were 12,000, an indication of the importance attached to holding the position. AUSTRIAN DEBACLE. A HELTER-SKELTER RETREAT. PANIC-STRICKEN TROOPS. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received This Day, 10 a.m.) PARIS, July 14. M. Nadeau states that stirring details from the Chartoryslc-Rafalovka front, show that when the AustroGermans were hemmed in on three sides and decided to retreat, there remained only one loop-hole of escape, a a narrow passage eighteen versts in extent, into which they rushed. The Russians cannonaded them from north and south, while the cavalry harassed and sabred them mercilessly in the rear. The panic was so intense that the Russians occupied a valuable strategic position which had long seemed impregnable. THE DEUTSCHLAND. CONSUL ASKED FOR EXPLANATION. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received This Day, 9 a.m.) WASHINGTON, July 14. The American Consul at Bremen has been asked why he failed to confidentially advise the Government of the Deutschland’s departure. NEW YORK, July 14. There is intense interest in the Deutschland, which it is reported will make a night dash. Count Bernstorff inspected her and placed official letters aboard. The “New York World’s’’ Berlin correspondent states that the third German freight submersible is finished, and a fourth is nearing completion. The shipyards are working night and day on submarines. KITCHENER MEMORIAL FUND. FOR DISABLED OFFICERS AND MEN. Reuter’s Telegrams. (Received This Day, 9 a.m.) LONDON, July 14. The Lord Mayor opened the Kitchener National Memorial Fund, intended to provide for disabled oliicers and men of the navy and army. Queen Alexandra is president of tlie council and fund. DIRECT TRADE BETWEEN NEW ZEALAND AND HULL. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received This Day 9 a.m.) LONDON, July 14. Sir Thomas Mackenzie, with the view of keeping alive tlie pre-war arrangements for a direct trade between New Zealand and Hull, conferred : with Messrs Shaw and Wilson.

LOAN FOR FRANCE. BEING RAISED IN AMERICA. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received This Day, 9 a.m.) WASHINGTON, July 14. A statement issued by Messrs Morgan and Brown regarding the French loun states that an American corporation is being formed known ns tlie American Foreign Securities Company, to issue a loan of 95,000,000 dollars at 5 per cent interest, with a currency of three years. Its notes will be secured on a basis of 20 per cent margin, by the obligations of the governments of Argentina, Sweden, Norway,'Denmark, Switzerland, Holland, Uruguay, Brazil, Egypt, Spain, Province of Quebec, shares in the Suez Calan Company, and bonds and shares in American corporations. RETURNING HOME. UNFIT FOR FURTHER SERVICE. Australian and N.Z. Cubic Association. (Received This Day, 9 a.m.) LONDON, July 14. Sir Thomas Mackenzie farewelled New Zealanders unfit for further service returning to New Zealand. HEAT WAVE. NEW YORK PROSTRATED. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received This Day, 9 a.m.) WASHINGTON, July 14. A great heat wave is being experienced in New York. There have been eight deaths there and five at Boston. Many people are prostrated and great crowds are camping on the benches. Sharks are abundant at the watering places, and four bathers in various places have been devoured. It is stated that the death rate from infantile paralysis is one hourly.