FRESH STROKE BY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3090, 22 May 1917, Page 5

FRESH STROKE BY

BATTERING THE INDEMBIIG LINE HEAVY FIGHTING ON THE FRENCH FRONT COALITION STANDS FOR TIE ALLIES ITALIANS EXTEND. THEIR POSITIONS The British hare initiated .a fresh assault on the already sorelybattered Hindenburg line, and pushed their- advantage well home in the region of Bullecourt and Queant, On the French front the Germane, preparing a heavy attack by a particularly violent outburst of artillery, ivere unable .to leave their trenches at many points owing to tho terrific counterblast from the French batteries. The attack, which developed at other sectors, gained for the enemy a footing at one point, a paltry gain for a 6taggering casualty list. On the Italian front our Ally's gains have been, extended, with, further' severe casualties to the enemy. People are beginning to ask what has happened to the Ariglo-Egyptian-Anssac army at Gaza. Certain newspaper pressure is being applied, with tho obvious view of extracting from Ministers the why and wherefore of tho present situation. Indications o a withdrawal by the Germans from their lines on tho Russian northern Hank—the Eiga front—are becoming increasingly apparent. The political situation is more hopeful than, it has been for days past, ', ; V BREAKING THE HINDENBURG LINE BRITISH SLEDGE-HAMMER BLOWS DEEPER THRUST AT BULLECOURT (By Telegraph—Press Aeeociation—Copyright). \ London, May 20. Sir , Douglas Haig reports: "Our artillery broke an enemy .attack against our advanced posts south-eastward of Epehy."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eeulcr. (Rec. May 21, 8.5 p.m.). London, May 21. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "As tho result of an early morning attack we have jceupied a. further section of tho Hindeiiburg liue on "over a mile of front bofcivcon .Fontaine-lez-Croisillcs and Bullecourt. Tho enemy unsuccessfully counlcrand tierce fighting was continued all day long. We inflicted heavy casualties. Fighting continues in our favour'. We repulsed raids near Oppy, anil south-east of Wytachaete, and successfully raided the enemy's lines southward of irmentiorcs. We brought down eight German aeroplanes. Four of \ ours aro missing-."—A us.-N.Z-. Cable Assn.-Eeiiter. STORMING ALONG THE HINDENBURG LINE '"'■ 1 SUCCESSFUL TACTICAL COUP. London, May 2D. ■ Mr. Philip Gibbs reports: "Fighting is going on astride the Sensee Biver, north-east of Croisilles, and west of Bullecourt, where the British are storming ilong the Hindenburg lino. We are threatening tho garrisons of Fontaine-leu" Jroisilles and Cherisy."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Eeuter'B correspondent at Headquarters writes: "An operation of con?ideriblo tactical importance was launched early this morning against tho Hindenburg lino, north and south of Sensee, with tho object of capturing a length of tho Hindenburg trench passing through Fontaine-lez-Croisilles. it resulted successfully, notwithstanding enemy artillery reprisals all day."—Keutor. VIOLENT. ARTILLERY DUEL ON THE FRENCH FRONT ■ ' I London, May 20. A French communique states: There is a violent artillery struggle in the region of the Chemin-des-Dames and along the whole front between La Bovelle, 3erny, and Hurtebise. An enemy attempt at the salient of La Bovelle was :asily repulsed. A small action enabled us to carry some elements of trenches aorta-cast of Laffaux Mil!.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Heuter. . . HEAVY GERMAN ATTACK NIPPED IN THE BUD (llec. May 21, 10.15 p.m.) London, May 21. A French official communique states: "The enemy's artillery is most activo m the Chemin-des-Dames. From the east of Hurtebise to the north of Saucy th* . jermans directed a' rolling fire of heavy shells and asphyxiating projectiles. The ;trength of our counter-preparations rendered abortive a general assault which he Germans were preparing. On the greater part of our threatened front the iiieiny was unable to leave his trenches. Liveliest fighting at different points jnded in our favour. The enemy lost heavily from our barrages and counterittacks. The enemy succeeded in gaining a footing on our advanced elements lorth-east of Cerny on a front of 200 yards. Everywhere else our positions were naintained."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Keuter. INDICATIONS OF ANOTHER , GERMAN RETREAT Paris, May 20. A French correspondent writes: "Ihe Germans are hastily digging switch benches in Artois and the Champagne—an indication of retreat. For the last lire© weeks, fires and explosions have been of daily occurrence. Moreover, the Germans are emptying their parks (ammunition and artillery depots). The liue has been hollowed, out or burst in for more than ten miles, lorta-west of Queant. The British in a month have taken lines which it took ;ho enemy over a year to construct."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE MYSTERY OF THE OISE VALLEY (Rec. May 21, 5.50 p.m.) London, May 20. The "Daily Chronicle's" Paris correspondent says: "Thirty-two miles of tho French front between St. Quentin and Laffaux have been a mystery since the sarly days of the German retreat. Tho explanation is that tho Germans have [>laycd a similar trick to that which we played on them when we flooded the fser Valley. The Germans have Hooded the Oise Valley between Berthenicourt ind Tergmfer. To the south is the hilly Forest of St. Gobain, and hut for. the narshes in the forests the Allies would have reached the Laon Plain. The heat ately has reduced the floods, but a large canal running between several branches if the river makes tho crossing of the valley most difficult. If the western end it Chemin-des-Dames were taken the German dofence system on tlie Oiso at St. I-iobain would be taken in rear. This fear largely accounts for the desperate jonnter-attacks by the, Germans on the Aisne."—A\is.-N.Z. Cable Aesn. , ' , ■ ' i THE GERMAN REPORT London, May 2D. Admiralty per Wireless Press.—A' German official report states: The activity, if the fighting has increased east of Arras. We completely repulsed a strong , English attack on both sides of Onchy. An English attack broke down southward of the Scarpe. Tho artillery is most active in the Queant' sector. We naintained a captured position near Braye against a strong French attack. The meiny lost eight aeroplanes.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Keuter. (Rec. May 21, 5.00 p.m.) A German official report states: "We heavily repulsed English nttacks soulhw<l of the Scarpn."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. OVER A MILLION GERMAN DEAD SINCE 1914 (Rec. May 21,. 8.5 p.m.) London, May 20. Tho Press Bureau slatee , : "The German official casualties for April total 12,8.18, of which 11,979 aro deaths. The total to datn is 4,245,804, of which 1,012,039 tre dead. NavaJ men ai:e> not included."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable AsfiU.-E«'ut«r.