FURIOUS FIGHTING IN THE WEST

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3046, 5 April 1917, Page 5

FURIOUS FIGHTING IN THE WEST

BRILLIANT ATTACK BY THE FRENCH > SEVERAL VILLAGES CAPTURED London, 'April 3.. % FronoK official communique states:—There is an intermittent~artillery duel from the Sonune to the Aisne and at Maisone de Champagne, and frequent patrol encounters have occurred.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Beuter. :.. (Reo. April 4, 8.20 p.m.) London, April 3. 'Ji French" official communique states:—"East and west of the Somme, after a violent artillery preparation, we attacked the enemy's position south of the Castres-Eseigny-Benay line from L'Epine-3e-Dallon, on the Oise. We attained our objective, despite desperate resistance by the enemjv and carried on a front of thirteen kilometres (a little over 8 miles), a eeries of strong points which had been solidly organised, and Tore held by large forces. Wβ captured Epine-de-Dallon, • the villages of Dallon, Giffecou.rt, Cerisy, and several heights south of OviUors. South of the Ailette ire continued to make progress in the region of Laffaux, of which, we hold the south and northwestern outskirts. We also oarried Vauxeny, atid gained , a footing west and north of that place. Our batteries caught a German column that was marching towards Laffaux mill. The enemy violently bombarded Reims, firing over two thousands shells-, and killing several oivilians." —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. . . SUCCESS ON THE BRITISH FRONT (Rec. April 4, 610 p.m.) London, April 3. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—"South-east of Arras we carried tlw village of Henin-sur-Cojeul, and stopped the enemy's counter-attacEs. Further south we captured. Maissemy, and occupied Ronsay_ wood. Eight Germanaeroplanes were brought down. Sis of outs aro missing."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable ABsn.-Reuter.-GERMAN REPORT. London,; April 3. Wireless, per Admiralty. Press.—A German official report claims that over 300 pri&onera were captured near Moreuil, but they came ttndar EngKsh maohme-guiiß, and only, {dxty, reacketl the German liEcs.«- : AtiB.«N.Z.