BRITISH ATTACK ON THE WEST

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3001, 12 February 1917, Page 5

BRITISH ATTACK ON THE WEST

ENEMY'S ADMISSION OF DEFEAT London, February 9. A German official message states! "We repulsed an English attack near Serre, but lost ground near Bailescourt Farm. The English, attacked north of the SB.. Pierre Vaast Wood, and retained a small front. "During January we lost thirty-four, aeroplanes, and the English;- French, and Russians a total of ■ fifty-five."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. SUCCESSFUL RAIDS (Rec. February 10, 7.40 p.m.) London, February 9. Sir Douglas Haig reports: Wβ made successful raids east of Vermelles and south-oast of Yprcs, where many dugouts were destroyed. The enemy's attempt to approach! our lines south of Arniontieres was caught in a barrage and easily Tβ* pulsed. Our artillery caused two oxplosionff in the enemy's lines.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. " ■"'_ ' : " ENEMY ATTACKS REPULSED ' (Rec. February 11, 11.40 p.m.)' :.. London, February 11.Sir Douglas Haig reports: "Enemy attacks on our now positions east 06 Sailly Saillisel were everywhere unsuc cessful. We repulsed raids eoutli-east of Neuville St. Vaast, east of Vermellos, and southwards of : Neuvef Chapelle. Wo entered the enemy linos east of Nouvo Chapello and destroyed! emplacements. We siiccessfully raided! Givenchy."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assa.-i Router. FIGHTING ON THE WOEVRE London, February 9. A French, 'communique states: "Art onemy attack in the region east of thd Meuse completely failed. Violent artillery firo is in progress on the Woevre. "German aeroplanes bombed ths Dunkirk and Froitard regions, and! four persons were killed and four in* jured."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Router*' : FRENCH COUP DE MAIN (Rec. February 11, 5.5 p.jn.) London, February 10. 'A' French communique says: We mad 3 a coup de main east of Reims and effec-i ■ tivcly bombarded tho sector of Hill 304, also a coup do main west of Auberivei in the sectors of Be'aanges and Parroyv There was violent artillery work aij Vacherauville and tho Bois de' Cauresi front. German aeroplanes bombed Dunkirk , , Amiens, aiid Nancy. Two persons were killed.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter* A GERMAN REPORT (Rec. February 11, 5.5 p.m.) - London, February 10. A Berlin official message states: Wβ repulsed a. British detachment soutE of Sailly and checked a French, attack on Hill 304. Tho Frencli attack on. Poivre Hill failed. The Germans penotrated the Frencli lines near Vans and north of Saint. Mihiel and destroyed dug-outs and tho inmates. —Ans.-N.Z. Cable Assn.* Router. . ■ NUMEROUS AIR-FIGHTS (Rec. February 11, 11.40 p.m.)' London, February 11. French official.—"We made a success* iul coup de main west of Pont-a-Mous-son. There has been lively artillery fighting on both hanks of the Meuse, and numerous aeroplano bombardments and air fights."—Aus.-N.Z."" Cabl«f Assn.-Reutev. NAVAL AIR RAID (Rec. February 11, 5.5 p.m.) ' London, February 10.; The Admiralty-reports: Naval aero* planes attacked the aerodrome ail Ghistelles on Friday. Many bomb* reached their objective.—Aus.-N.Z, Cablo Assn.-Reuter. FALL OF GRANDCOURT BRITISH WALK IN UNOPPOSED (Rec. February 11.- 5.5 p.m.) , ; London. February 10. Mr. Philip Gibbs, the war corresa pondent, says:-The Gorman abandon* nient of Grandcourt, enabling us ta walk in practically unopposed; proves, that the German command prefers at , this stage to save' casualties "lathea than hold ground, regardless of cost, which is a new phase. A year ago hig prido would not let him do so. .Grandcourt, after the capture of Beaucourt and Beaumont HamoL/had become al place of misery for the Germans. Thel. position was still worse after Sunday, the result of a British, advance. Tha Germans probably then began, thein withdrawal to a stronger and higher! position south of Miraumont, where they, aro digging in with great industry. One trench, barred the way to Grand* court. The British, on Tuesday, trudged] steadily across snow and found a few Germans, much litter, and a number dfi dead. It was decided to push. on. Tha enemy's massed guns Tained explosives on the whole of the Contalmaison and Pozieres country, and none knew i£ Grandcourt was occupied, therefore oun artillery cut up a great barrage. The enemy's guns responded heavily, but failed to check' the advance. There waS no fighting. The village was.in.ruins; The British quietly took.possession ofi Graudcourt, which was honeycombed with deep dug-outs and filled with stores and rations. . . ' The seizure of Baillescourt Farm Jiap* pened on Wednesday night,: in the! bright light of a full moon. The Germans apparently had not anticipated an attack and were caught in the dug* outs and ruins aud offered no resisfri ance. It was chiefly a matter of dodsp injr shell-fire, and walking into the;, abandoned position. . N These captures aro important mi interesting, aud a significant hint of the new German methods whioh seem to consist of fallinc back here and there to the defences before Bapaume, whidj they havo been strengthening untmngljj since the Somme battles opened. Perhapi they are anxious to quit the ground before the thaw.— Cable Assn.