ARTILLERY BATTLE IN THE WEST

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 149, 13 March 1918, Page 5

ARTILLERY BATTLE IN THE WEST

TERRIFIC UPROAR ALONG WHOLE FRONT ' DARING RAID BY AMERICAN TROOPS ' ' By Telegraph-Press Aesooiation-Copsriglit (Rec. March 12, 7.15 p.m.) . ' London, March 11. Reuter's Headquarters correspondent says the principal feature of the past twenty-four hours has been extensive artillery firing in the various sectors of the front. Gas shells were freely omployed. . We'were kept busy retaliating. Tho uproar along the whole front constantly swells into a terrific volume.—Reuter. ' . i ■ , SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S REPORT ENEMY RAIDS REPULSED WITH HEAVY LOSSES. (Rec. March 12, 10 p.m.) \ London, March 11. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—"We repulsed three raids following a heavy bombardment in the neighbourhood of Armentieres. • The enemy attempted a ■large raid this morning, his infantry attacking on a.thousand yards of front north-west of Passchendaele. He was everywhere repulsed i with heavy losses. A hostilo party entered a post south of Houthulst Forest. We immediately recaptured tho position."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. BOMBING RAIDS BY BRITISH AIRMEN ■ (Rec. March 12,' 0 p.m.) London, March 11. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—''A haze interfered with air work on Sunday; nevertheless, 400 bombs wore dropped on Menin, Roulers, Ledeghem, Clambrai, Solesmes railways stations and other targets. Wo destroyed three balloons, brought down six aeroplanes, and drovo down seven. Four of our machines are missing. "-wlus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Reuter.: London, March 11. The Admiralty reports that.aeroplanes bombed Engel aerodrome and dump, starting two fires. All the machines returned.—Aub.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Reuter. ENEMY. ATTACKS REPULSED BY THE FRENCH . DARING RAID BY AMERICANS, . (Rec. March 12, 7.15 p.m.) London, March 11. A French official communique states:—"Our counter-attack repulsed an enemy attempt to reach our lines in the neighbourhood of the St. Hiliare-St. Souplet Road, in the Champagne district. The enemy made a doublo attack, in which special assaulting troops participated, against Goose Hill, and Dead Man Hill, on the left bank of the Mouse. Ho was everywhere repulsed.' A strong enemy group attempting to gain a footing in our trenches north of St. Mihiel was dispersed. The American troops in Lorraine made a daring raid."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Reuter. COMBINED ATTACKS BY FRENCH AND AMERICANS. London; March 11. The combined French and American troops in Lorraine for the first time executed /destructive attacks on the enemy organisation, charging across six hundred yards of No Man's Land. The Americans showed the utmost dash, and the artillery co-operated with excellent effect.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.Reuter.. . ENEMY'S SECOND LINE REACHED. New York, March 11. The American raid in Lorraine reached fho enemy's second line. After destroying the German dug-outs the Americans returned safely. Heavy artillery work, cleared the enemy's front trenches prior to the raid. The Americans penetrated 600 yards.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. AMERICAN TROOPS LOCATED AT FOUR POINTS. Washington, March 11. An official war communique states that the American troops are, located at four points on tho West front, including north-of Laon, where they hold four and a half miles of trenches.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. AMERICAN SECRETARY FOR WAR 'IN FRANCE. Paris, March 11. Mr. N. D. Baker, American Secretary for War, with his staff, lias arrived in France.—Reuter.