STRENGTHENING THE NEW LINE ON THE ANCRE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3021, 7 March 1917, Page 5

STRENGTHENING THE NEW LINE ON THE ANCRE

GERMAN ATTACKS REPULSED DESTRUCTIVE TRENCH RAIDS (ticc. March 6, 10.15 p.m.) London, .March 5. A French official communique stales:—"On the right of the Mouse a vigorous counter-attack by the Germans was repulsed. )Ve had ejected the enemy from part of tho lino he occupied yesterday north of Oauriores Wood. An attempt by the cnomy north of Floury completely failed. Our lire wrecked the euomy's works in Tfeznng Wood. Three <*f tho enemy's aeroplanes were brought down."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Reuter. (Bee. March G, 10.15 p.m.) London, March 5. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—"An. attack by the enemy eastward of Bouchavesncs was repulsed. Wo have strengthened our positions eastward of Gommeeourt, and carried out raids near Arras. The nnomy suffered many casualties. AVe entered their trenches south-eastward of Guincliy, and took prisoners. There have. been many air fights. Six German aeroplanes were, brought down, and eight we.ro damaged. 'I.Vo of ours were brought down. Five, are missing."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Renter. SECOND PHASE OF THE RETREAT FIRES BEHIND THE GERMAN LINES. (Ret:. March. 6, 5.35 p.m.) ' London, March 5. The Germans boasted thai. St. Pierre Vaast AVood, whicli is moro than one mile and a Quarter square, was impregnable. Despite hitter opposition, tho British are already far along the soiith of it, storming the trenches, and taking prisoners. Mr. Beach Thoma-s, who has returned to the Somme, after a, lengthy absence, stated that the main change in the British methods of fighting is to batter the, Germans worse, during tho trench war. "Tho British have certainly indicted the heavier losses," ho says. "Ono battalion at Loos claims that the snipers accounted for thirty-eight Germans in a week, while there were no British casualties. The Germans on the Ancro promised an impregnablo line of concrete dug-outs, audlcast-iron invisible emplacements, 'while the British grovel in water-logged earthworks.' Nevertheless, tho retreat is depressing the Gorman morale. Tho first phase is finished. Tho Germans have reached a line on high ground north of Gommeeourt and Lo Translov. Already the British guns are bombarding it. Fires behind the enemy's lilies indicate that the second phase is coming."—The "Times." ON THE FRENCH FRONT ( , . , London, March -3 A I'reneh official communique states: "After an intense bombardment in the region of Cauneres AVood, on the right bank of the Meusc, the enemy violently attacked on a fron.t ol one and throe-quarter miles, between Chambrettes Farm and Bezonvaux. Repeated assaults between Caurieres AVood and Bezonvaux failed. -The enemy obtained a fooling in our advanced elements north of Caurieres AVood, but our fire smashed all attempts to penetrate tho wood, and inflicted heavy losses on the enemy."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. GERMAN REPORTS. A German official message states: "Tho English attacked southward of St. Pierre Vaasfc AVood and captured a trench, in tho sector of the Roucha-vesnes-Moislains Road. AVe stormed and captured a trench position in. the Caurieres AVood on a front of sixteen hundred yards, and repulsed counterattacks at night. AVe captured an important position in the south-cast corner of Fosses AVood, taking 578 prisoners, sixteen machine-guns, and twentyfive quick-loaders. There were numerous air lights. The enemy lost eighteen aeroplanes yesterday, and we lost four."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable' Assn.-Reuter.