FRENCH ADVANCE ON THE AISNE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3150, 31 July 1917, Page 5

FRENCH ADVANCE ON THE AISNE

ENEMY REATTACKS ON VERDUN FRONT ATTEMPT REPULSED WITH HEAVY LOSSES (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright). London, July 29. A French official communique states: "A violent enemy attack west of Hurtebiso Farm, on a front of GOO yards, collapsed. Subsequently our infantry attacked between Hurtobise and La Bovelle Farms, and made progress at all points. Tho enemy attempted to recapturo his trenches between Avocourt Wood and Hill MM, but failed with heavy lossos."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. / (Rec. July 30, 5.25 p.m.) London, July 20. A French official communique statos: "A most, vigorous artillery struggle is in progress in tho Cerny-Craonne region and 011 tho left bank of the Mouse. A German attack at Hurtebieo was completely frustrated."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.Reuter. ■ A TERRIFIC RIVALRY OF DESTRUCTION THE ARTILLERY DUEL IN FLANDERS. (Rec. July 30, 5.20 p.m.) London, July 20. Mr. Philip Gibbs writes: "There is unceasing gunfire on both sides of the ranges on the Flemish coast and south wards of Lens. Tho enemy's artillery is thickly massed against the most vital soctor of our front. The 'Germans have brought up vast supplies of ammunition, and aro firing shells into Nieuport Tpres, and Armentieres, flinging them miles deep over the Countryside anil searching our batteries. Tho enemy's long-range guns aro firing at targets from twelve to twenty miles froni their emplacements, but the British return twice the number of shells, while our aeroplanes drop bombs forty miles behind the enemy's front. It is a rivalry of destruction greater than any former phase of the war. Tho infantry stands still on'both sides under the artillery duel, except for fierce and destructive raids hero and there."—Aus.-N.Z. Gable Assn. . . WINDOWS RATTLE IN ENGLI SH COAST TOWNS. (Ree. July 30, 10.5 p.m.) London, July 30. Throughout Saturday night the heavy continuous firing in Belgium was heard in the English _ south-eastern coast towns. The cannonade at daybreak increased in intensity, and the vibration was so great that tho earth trembled and windows rattled. Tho firing continued all the morning.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE ENEMY'S HALF-TRUTHS. t „ , , ' Pai "i s J Julv 29. The "Petit Journal s .correspondent at the British front says that tlie German statement that the bombardment oxtends'from tho sea to tho River Lys partly conceals the truth. Tho artillery action greatly exceeds theso limits; tho correspondent witnessed as violent a bom burdwiont near Lens.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. RAIDS ON THE BRITISH FRONT r.. t, , rr • 1 .<w • , , London, July 20. Sir Douglas Haig reports: Wo carried out successful raids last night north-west of Epeliy, south-east of Havrincourt, west of Fontainc-les-Croisilles, and near Fleurbaix, and entered the enemy's positions near Ypres AVe repulsed raiders south-east of Hcssincs."—Aus.-N. Cable Assn.-Reuter. (Rec. July 30, 5.25 p.m.) „ . , . , . London, July 20. Sir Douglas Haig reports intense aerial activity, with successful raiding and photographic results. "'We brought down thirteen of tlie enemy's machines and two balloons. Thirteen of our machines are missing."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Reuter. GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT. „ . , , , , London, July 29. A Gorman, official report states: rho artillerv duel in Flanders has reached the highest degree of massed intensity in the war. After desperate local fighting, English attacks failed east of Monch.v. Four French attacks south-east of Ailles failed. We shot down 35 aeroplanes."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. (Rec. July 30, 8.25 p.m.) . ~ m• > , t „o London, July 29. A German omcial report states: Since midday the artillery duel in Flanders has reached the utmost intensity."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. THE FRANCO-BRITISH SrOILS OF 1916-17. Psrisj ,1 uly 2P The French, and British captures during the. third year of the war on"the West front total 3500 officers and 165,000 men, 948 ho.:ivv and field gun=, 780 trench mortars, and 2500 machine-guns.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable'Assn.