COUNTER-ATTACK IN THE WEST

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3008, 20 February 1917, Page 5

COUNTER-ATTACK IN THE WEST

SLAUGHTERING REPULSE BY THE BRITISH

NIGHT RAIDS ALONG THE LINE

I)j Telcgraph-FreES AEsociation--Copyri?lit (Rcc. February 19, 8.20 p.m.) Uontion, February 18. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "We took 733 prisoners on . tbo Ancre on Saturday. In the morning three waves of German infantry, accompanied by supporting troops, attacked onr new positions at Baillescourt Farm, They came -under our concentrated artillery tire, and were driven back with heavy losses before reaching our lines. AVo entered the enemy's positions at night south-west and north-west of Arrasj (south- of Manquissart, and north of Ypres, and inflicted many casualties. AVo repulsed Gorman raiders south of Ypres."—Aais.-N.Z. Cable Assn.—Eeutcr.

THE BRITISH ATTACK ON THE TWO MIRAUMONTS , (Roc. February 19, 10.30 p.m.) London, Februaiy 19. Mr. Philip Gibbs -writes: 1 Imday's and Saturday's successes liorth-onst of- Grandcourt give the British important new ground on both sides of the Aiicro, on the high rising slopes dominating tho ruined villages of Miraumont and Petit Miraumont. This steady progress is a precise repetition of the •attacks wliicli resulted in the enemy's evacuation of Grandcourt, which was tlien in'a similar position to that now occupied at Miraumont. Prior to Saturday's attack tho Germans strengthened all their 'garrisons in tho neighbourhood, sending ui> Prussians and largo supplies of artillery and ammunition. They .know that if tho high ground' south of tho Ancro wore lost, tho two Miraumonts must surrender. The German commandors ordered tho 'high, ground to bo held at all costs, yot, as the result of two days' fighting and hoavy counter-attacks, the Germans lost all the high slopes, and hold only a hillock guarding the entry to Miraumont, which consists of a stronglydefended knoll on -which tho Prussians still resist, but tho British outposts have dug. in close below, -while shell-fire is demolishing tho earthworks."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE BRITISH AIR RAID ON BRUGES. - i .. . Amsterdam, February 18. Seventy people were killed or injured in Friday's air raid on Bruges, including ihany German soldiers —Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. THE CROWN PRINCE'S ATTACK IN THE CHAMPAGNE NATURE OF THE MOVE DOUBTFUL. - Amstcrdamj February 18. The Kaiser has congratulated the Crown Prince 011 his success in the Champagne. It is doubtful whether this attack presages an attempt to forestall the Allies' offensive, or is merely a, local effort.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. MORE ABOUT THE BATTLE. (Rcc. February '19, 5.20 p.m.) • • Paris, February IS. A French correspondent at Headquarters throws a light on tho German attack on February 16 in the neighbourhood of Maison-de-Champagne, which was to have been a coup de main on a largo scale with the object of improving the Germans' local position. "Tho sector selected was that immediately oast of the salient left in tho German line between Tahuro and the Butte-de-Mesnil by tho French offensive of September, 1915, when the latter's assault swept past this tremendously poworful position, leaving a largish peninsula in conquered territory. The latest attack was preceded by an extremely lieavy artillery bombardment, and also by exploding mines under the front line and demolishing tho defences. The enemy charged 1 amid tho ensuing confusion. Tho operation was no moro than ono single successful rush." —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. . FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. • London, February IS. A Frenclf communique states: "Thero have been patrol encounters, especially in the sectors of Troyon, west of Les Chambrettes, and north-west of Badonvillers. A detachment penetrated an enemy trench in Le Pretve Wood, and destroyed works and dug-outs."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aesn.-Renter. (Rcc. February 19, 8.20 p.m.) London, February IS. A French official communique states: "Thero is lively artillery firing on both banks of the Meiise, especially in tho region of Bezonvaux and' Hill 301.''-—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Router. I * GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. February 18. A wireless Carman official message states: "We repulsed strona; Eng&fi detachments north of Armentieros, south-west of Lille, and nortli of La Bassce Canal, near Ransart. Tho enemy renewed his attack astride tho Ancre, .with varying results. Wo repulsed a violent English. attack southward of Pys. Ono airship bombed at night the town, and harbour of Boulo«tio'—Aug i N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reufcer. WESTERN ACTIVITY. CAUSES EXCITEMENT IN GERMANY. (Rec. February 10, 5.5 p.m.) Amsterdam, February IS. I Tho German papers are csci ted over tho activity on tho Western front, and forecast a great battle in the near future. —The "Times." NEW WAR TAXES/ London, February 18. Au explanatory Kote regarding tho Imperial Budget for 1917, issuer! at Berlin, announces that new war taxes are necessary to cover the deficit of tho ordinary Budget of £62,500,000. It is intended to impose aat ad valorem tax on coal and a tax on passengers and goods £ont by railways and domestic shipping. An increase will be made upon the excess profits tas. —floater.