THE WAR IN THE WESTERN THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2478, 3 June 1915, Page 5

THE WAR IN THE WESTERN THEATRE

PIERCE FIGHTING AROUND SOUCHEZ Paris, June 1. A communique savs:—On Monday night we penetrated to Tricku, east of tlio Aix-N'oulette-Souchez road, where it violent hand-to-hand fight resulted to our advantage. A very violent combat is in course of development around the sugar factory at Souchez, where wc have captured sixty prisoners. We repulsed two companies at La Fontenelle, north of Saint Die, in the Vosges, with heavy loss. ALLIES CAPTURE THE SUGAR REFINERY. The High' Commissioner reports: — London, June 2 1.40 p.m. In tie sections north of Arras the Allies have made v further progress. The enemy has been unable to dislodge the Allies from the 'trendies which were taken in the wood adjoining the Aix-Souchez road. "Our gains north-east of Chapel Lorette have also been maintained. "The Allies have captured the refinery at Souchez, and retain it despite counter-attacks. The enemy's losses were great. "In the .'Labyrinth,' south-east of Neuville, more German works were taken. "The enemy regained portions of the trenches on the outskirts of the forest of La Petre, after a violent bombardment-." MOST TERRIFIC CANNONADE OF THE WAR THE FRENCH ADVANCE NORTH OF ARRAS. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) London, Juno 1. The correspondent of "The Times" in North France says:—"The operations of the French north of Arras were n complete success. An artillery officer gives a vivid impression of the principal.engagement* in Artois. lie says: 'Our cannonade was the most formidable of the war. The infantry attack 'was prepared for by guns of all calibre firing on the enemy's lines for four hours. The violence of the fire increased hour by hour, then mines wore driven under the enemy's trenches and exploded. "Tho scene was terrible. Hidden by impenetrable Binoke, in which hundreds of shells exploded simultaneously, thousands of bayonets' flashed, the infantry sprang from tho trenches and advanced, marching calmly they carried the first lino, and then advanced on the second as though parading, It was an unforgettable picture, the soldiers were truly incomparable. They marched with a lino of officers some paces in front." SUCCESS OF THE FRENCH OFFENSIVE ATTACK AN ALMOST IMPREGNABLE POSITION. Glee. Juno 2, 6.45 p.m.) London, June 1. The "Times" correspondent in North France, referring to the heavy fighting at Meuville, St. Vaast, and Souchez, says:—'These places constituted tho two strongest points on tho Gorman line. The French are attacking strongly, and heading their way through impregnable positions. The Zouaves covered themselves with glory in three successive charges, and, thourfi suffering heqvy losses, finally carried a powerful German redoubt, cutting its defenders to pieces. The French offensive had been long prepared, and is now proceeding with glowing success, despite huge difficulties Tile positions already captured are the villages of Carency, La fergaile, and Ablain, which were uioro strongly . fortified than any other parts of the German front. THE FRENCH VICTORY AT. ABLAIN. (Rec. June 2, 11.30 p.m.) Parlß, June 2. The final assault leading to the capture of.Ablain cost the French two hundred killed and wounded. Five hundred dead' Germans were found in the ruins, and five hundred were taken prisoners. Fourteen mitrailleuses were captured.