LATE WAR NEWS

Waipa Post, Volume VIII, Issue 347, 8 September 1914, Page 1 (Supplement)

LATE WAR NEWS

Received this day —11 15

RECENT FIGHTING,

The War Office issues the following statement -of operations of the British during last week. No new main trial of strength has taken place. There have been battles at various parts over an immense front, which in other wars would have been considered as operations of first magnitude, but this war they are merely incidents of strategic value amounting to withdrawals and contraction of Allied force, which have been necessitated by the initial shock on frontiers, and by the enormous strength which the Germans have thrown into the Western theatre of war. While suffering heavily through weakness, the eastern British army has conformed to the general movement, and the French forces have acted with the strategic conception of its general staff.

Since the battle at Cambrai on August 26th, where the British successfully guarded the left flank of the whole line of the French armies from a deadly turning attack. Supported by enormous forces, the seventh French army has come into operation on our left. This, in conjunction with the fifth army on our right, has greatly taken off the strain and pressure on our men. The fifth French army, particularly on 29th August, advancedfrom a line near the Oise river to meet and counter attack the German forward movement, and a considerable battle developed to south of the Oise. In this the Fifth French Army gained marked success, and succeeded in driving the enemy back with heavy loss and disorder three German army corps and the 10th Guards Reserves corps. It is believed that the commander of the latter was killed. The German armies are seeking persistently to out-manceuvre and trap British troops. On September Ist, a victorious effort was made by the Germans who brought about a sharp actioni'near to Compiegne.

The action was fought principally by the British cavalry brigade, and the result was entirely satisfactory to the British. Much slaughter was inflicted and ten German guns were captured. The brunt of the attack was borne by our Guards Brigade, who lost, killed ond wounded 300 men. After this our troops were no longer molested. September 2nd was the first quiet day since the battle at Mons.

BRITISH CASUALTIES

The British casualties, according to the latest estimates, amount to about 15,000, but a very considerable number of those included in total will rejoin the colours. Our losses do not amount to one-third of the losses inflicted by the British on the enemy,

THE MARCH ON PARIS

The enemy is neglecting Paris, and is marching in a southeasterly direction, and towards left and centre of French lines. Whether this change by the Germans is voluntary or forced by stragetic situation and on account of the great strength of the Allies in their front will be revealed later.

THE GERMAN SHOOTING POOR.

The British have established personal sacredness over the Germans. The shooting of the German infantry is poor, while British rifle fire has devastated every column attack. The British have proved superior in training and in intelligence, and this'has enabled the British to use open formation with effect to cope with the vast numbers of the enemy. The British cavalry has definitely established its superiority. General French reports upon the state of the marked superiority of the British in every arm of service over the Germans. Our cavalry, he says, do as they like with the enemy until confronted with thrice their num-

bers. The German patrols fly before our horsemen, and the Germans will not face our infantry fire. Our artillery has never been opposed by less than three or four times their number.

IN FRANCE.

Received to-day, 11.45 a.m.

The military situation in France is practically unchanged. The Germans are carrying out wide converging movements, leaving Paris on the right and south.

The eastern march continues, and the Germans are evacuating the region of Campiegne and Senlis. The bonbardment of Maubeuge continues. The residents of the town are well. On the French left the Germans attempted an out-flanking movement, and got close to La Forte-Soua-Jonarre. They have passed Rheims and are proceeding westward. The Argonne Ridge movement did not achive the object desired and about 40,000 Germans continued the movement to the north and north-west of Brussels for the purpose of cutting Antwerp communications with Ostend and other coast towns. Stern fighting occurred between Malines and Fermiode. ,

The Belgians cut the dykes flooding the district, and the Germans were left waist deep in water endeavouring to pull out their guns, they at the time being under heavy fire from the outermost Antwerp forts. The Germans lost heavily.

RUSSIA STILL PRESSING,

Fierce fighting continues between the Russians and Austrians. The latter are hastily fortifying Crodek, which is twenty miles south-west of Lemburg, where the swampy country is easily defended. It is reported that the Russian left assaulted a strongly fortified position on the banks of the Dneister, near Ginlalipa, 60 miles south-east of Lemberg. 5,000 Austrians have been left dead on the battlefield. The Russians have captured another Austrian general, 32 cannon, and many prisoners.