LIE DIRECT TO GERMAN COMMUNIQUES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2490, 17 June 1915, Page 5

LIE DIRECT TO GERMAN COMMUNIQUES

FRENCH SUCCESSES IN THE WEST ATTACKS BY BRIGADES AND DIVISIONS London, June 16, 3.30 p.m. The High Commissioner reports: — ■Official.—A French communication, referring to the German communiques of Saturday and Sunday, says that uo German counter-attack succeeded in the 'Labyrinth,' near Hebuterne, or Quennevieras. "Our attacks," says the communique, "have made continued progress ill the neighbourhoods of Soucliez, the 'Labyrinth,' and near Hebuterne. For more than a month north and south of Arras, and between tho Oise and Aisne, we have made continuous success, and all our attacks have succeeded brilliantly. "It is not a case of guerilla warfare, but of attacks extending over a front covered by brigades or divisions, meaning for tho Germans the loss of two or three thousand men killed in a single day." "In the direction of (Juennevierc's farm, after all-day artillery duels, a German attack, directed during the night against trenches which the French had won on June 8, was completely routed. - " London, June 16, 2.20 a.m. "On Monday night there were infantry actions at Lorette, Neuville-St. Vaast. and Toutveut. All the German counter-attacks were repulsed, and | the French gains maintained. North of Neuville-St. Vaast some of the enemy's observation points were captured."

_ ' FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. (By Telegraph—Press Aesn.—Copyright.) (Rec. June 16, $.5 p.m.) Paris, June 16. Official.—"Our batteries heavily cannonaded the German trenches in tho Lorotte and Neuville-St. Vaast sectors. "The enemy's attacks at Quennevieres were led by eight battalions. Prisoners state that their losses were heavy." \ FRENCH OFFENSIVE IN LORRAINE TESTING THE STRENCTH OF THE GERMANS AT METZ. Paris, June 15. Much importance is attached to the fresh French offensive in Lorraine. Hie objective is supposed to be Arricourfc. Well-informed circles believs that General Joffre is .testing the strength of tho German forces defending the outer works of Metz. EFFECT OF THE'FRENCH BLOWJ3 BEING FELT ENEMY FORCED TO DRAW FORCES FROM OTHER FRONTS. . (Bee. June 16, 6.50 p.m.) London, June IS. Reports from Paris state that the continued French pressure north of Arras, although resulting in slow progress, has had tho valuable effect of attracting German reserves of men and artillery from different points, and it is believed the bringing up of fresh troops from North Belgium. The French are rlailv capturing fresh portions and defences around Lens, and their continued successes are deeply impressing the Germans. Numerous'statements by German prisoners show how intolerable these refloated French hammerings 'at this point are becoming, and how deeply they feel the superiority of the French lighting power. Renewed and energetic French m tacks, on an extended front, are expected with clearer weather.—("Times'' and Sydney "Sun Services.) GREAT BATTLE IN FLANDERS BETWEEN THE COAST AND.STEENSTHAATE. (Hue. June 16, 11.30 p.m.) Rotterdam, June IG. French forces, with nnnicnius guns supporting Ihoni, strongly attacked the Herman positions near Dismudo, a"d gained some ground, uolwithstauQlnz thp strona resistance offered by fresh German trooo».

•I Teat battle is : n progress between the coast and Steenstraate. The Germans liavo replaced the -runs on the coast by bigger guns ol the newest, patterns. ENEMY ADMITS LOST GROUND NEAR SOISSONS. (Rec. June 16. S.uo p.m.) Amsterdam, June 16. 'A Gorman official message admits t.liat. the Germans have not yet recaptured tho ground lost north-west of Soissons.