HAIG STRIKES HARD

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3152, 2 August 1917, Page 7

HAIG STRIKES HARD

BLOW ON 18-MILE \ ..FRONT BRITISH & FRENCH SHOULDER TO SHOULDER HEAVY LOSS INFLICTED In tlio picturesque dictum of Mr. Philip Gibbs, "the one battle That nil the world'has'been expecting has begun." Haig has struck a terrific blow at the German line on an eighteen-mile front from the River Lys-tho boundary river between France and Bolgium-to Boesingho, and with-a French army also attacking on his left, has advanced his lino at some places to a depth of two miles. Tho weather and tlio ground are less favourable than might have been expected for the season of tlio year—rain, and a sodden, swampy terrain—but in spite of thoso adverse factors'all tlio objectives, and in some cases more, than the objectives, havo been gained. The onemy has been hard hit, and 3500 prisoners havo already streamed in. It is impossible, however, to ascertain accurately tho extent of the enemy's Josses. Tlio Yser has beon crossed, and sevoral villages have been captured. The Germans say very littlo about tho battle. ' They assert that tho British attack was repulsed, and lay stress on a loe'al advantage claimed to have been gained on tho Chemin-dcs-Daraos, ' on tho Aisno. front. Tho Russian official report to-day discloses a. porceptiblo stiffening of tho defence, and although thero havo been further retirements at certain points, tho enemy ha;, been repulsed at others. The Rumanians have captured important positions on tho Tutna River.