GERMANS RETIRING FROM LENS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3123, 29 June 1917, Page 5

GERMANS RETIRING FROM LENS

BRITISH PATROLS IN CLOSE TOUCH ENEMY SORELY PRESSED AND FEARS THE WORST (Bγ Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright). London, June 27. The United Press Agency's correspondent at Headquarters says that the British continue to close in on Lens. The advancing , patrols are keeping in touch with the Tetiring Germans southward of the city. The Germans retreated into Avion, behind tno Maricourt-Avion ewitckliue, using the ruins of the Lens suburbs, railway embankment, and slag heaps as machine-sun fortresses, holding the British vest of the village. The difficulties of tho attackers aro tremendous, but prisoner* admit that the Germans are 6orely pressed, and fear tho worst The British are holding all tho high ground of the salient. The enemy's airmen are frantically trying to solve. Iho riddle of llaig'e offensive, whether at Yprcs, Messines, lens, Arras, or Bullecout-tj but a captured document confessed that enemy aeroplanes were stopped before they, flow over their own front lines.— ' Ans.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

• SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S REPORT. London, June 27. Sir Douglas Hftig reports: "Our artillery this morning prevented the development of a counter-attack north-west of Fontaine-les-Croisilles. We conduct- | eil- a successful raid westward of Oppy. Our fire stopped ii raid south-west of La Bassee.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. (Sec. June 2S, 8.50 p.m.) v London, Juno 27. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "We repulsed raiders northward of Roeux after ! sharp fighting, and inflicted considerable Joss on the enemy. Wo brought down six of tho enemys aeroplanes and drove down two others. None of ours are missing."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. STEADY PRESSURE ON THE RETIRING LINE • • ENEMY UNABLE TO USE HIS ARTILLERY. (Rec. June 28, 5.5 p.m.) London, Juno 27 Reuters correspondent at Headquartors says: "The Germans' resistance to our present push can scarcely be called Tearguard fighting since we are pressing the whole of the retiring lino. The enemy cannot employ his artillery nrach hecause probably he would punish his own infantry equally with ours."—Renter. THE FRENCH COUP AT HURTEBISE ' CAPTURE OF THE "DRAGON'S GAVE." The High Commissioner reports:— London, June 27, 8.50 p.m. A French official report states: "Thero has been lively artillory work in the region of the monument of Hurtobise. The Germans have not attempted any now counter-attacks against the positions we took on Monday. The latest information shows that the position captured includes the Dragon's Cave, which is over 100 by 300 yards, and had been transformed into a veritable fortress, with numerous openings for machine-gun emplacements. Nino machine-guns ivere captured, with much other material." (li-ec. Juno 28, 5.5 p.m.)

London, June 27. A 1 ranch communique states: A violent artillery struggle continues in the region of Hurtobise, among the organisations wo captured on. June 25. This stronghold was the point of departure for the enemy's counterattacks, and contained much valuable material."—Aus.-N '/,. Cable Assn.-Itenter. (Bee. Juno 28, 8.50 p.m.) London, Juno 27. A French official communique states: "Greater, reciprocal artillery activity i.i displayed on the Hurtebise, Craonno, and Avocourt sectors, and on" tho heights south of Moronvillere."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aesn.-Reuter. THE GERMAN REPORT (Rec. June 28, 5.3 p.m ) London, June 27. A German official report states: "We ropulsod English attacks on the Lens salient and Fontaine-les-Croisilles this evening, and occupied n trench on both sides of the Arras-Lens road. Our artillery successfully shelled Dunkirk'.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eouter. AN EXTRA LINE OP RETREAT? (Rec. June -28, li.2u p.m.) Basle, June 27. The newspapers report that five bridges of boats have been built across the Rhine near the Swiss frontier. It is conjectured that theso are intended (o facilitate a retreat.—Aiis.-N.Z. Cable Assn. AMERICAN TROOPS ARRIVE IN FRANCE New York, June 37. The first detachment of American troops has landed on French soil.—Aue.N.Z. Cable Assn. Paris, Juno 27. The second contingent of American troops has arrived.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ,