THE WAR IN THE WEST

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 254, 15 July 1918, Page 5

THE WAR IN THE WEST

BRILLIANT EXPLOIT BY THE FRENCH

LULL ON THE BRITISH FRONT

By Tole&raph.-Preas Aflsociatlon.-Copyriglit.

(Rec. July 14, 5.5 p.m.)

c- t. i tt ■ ' '■ , ,„. , London, July 12. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "Wo took 120 prisoners and ten maohinc-guns' in Thursdays enterprise south-west of Morris. We repulsed an attempted raid south of Bucquoy. We successfully raided tho enemv north-east of MerrH near Meteren, and in the vicinity of llamel, taking prisoners. Wo drove off an attempted enemy raid this morning, with loss, in the neighbourhood of Bucquoy." -Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn.-Beuter.

(Eec. July 11, 11.15 p.m.) Sir Douglas Haig reports: "English and Australian troor-s on July 12 carried out successful minor enterprises in the neighbourhood of Vienx Berquin and Merris. Our casualties on this sector during the past few days were exceptionally light. We raided the enemy's lines north of Hamel and repulsed a raid north of Moteren. Tho enemy's .artillery is aclivo opposite Beaumont Hnmel and in the Strazeele-Locro sectors."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Rcuter.

THE AUSTRALIAN RAID NORTH-WEST OF MERRIS

A NEW LINE ESTABLISHED,

<Eec. July 14, 5.5 p.m.)

~_K eutel' 's correspondent at British Headquarters, writing on July Instatesthe operation by the Australians north-west of Merris was one of those cnterEtf T i l"V*F ? th ° l A n ° l and «V ainin * of '"ore tracts beyond No n?t™-f= ,m 1^, A f 1 attacking suddenly, overran a chain of German outposts and established a new line. Our series of raids between Flanders and the Sornino, which everywhere resulted in the securing of prisonere, will probably be the means ot obtaining more information regarding the condition of affairs behind tho enemy's line. Yesterday there was much hostile artillevy activity in Flanders and on tho Sommo. Between rainstorms and thunderstorms the wet weather has now set in. If it continues it may disturb the German offensivo preparations, and therefore willba in our favour "-Keutcr

CLEARING THE FOREST OF VILLERS COTTERETS

(Eec. July 14, 5.5 p.m.)

in l • *. • , London, July 12. A 1 reach.semi-official .report states: "The capture of Corey completes the clearance ot the enemy from the Forest of Villcrs Cotterets. This was the object of a series of recent French local attacks, which resulted in securing useful E J?^ S a T? '''I 1'"- l 8 I ? torm ? tl ° n Previous to tho resumption of tho enemy's oftenfci\e. the bastion formed by the forest is now intact."—Keuler.

(Eec. July 14, 5.5 p.m.)

a r i (k ■ i ~ London, July 12. A ireucn olhcial communique states: "Our troops this morning carried out a brilliant attack on a front of three miles between Cartel and north of Mailly. Kameval. All our objectives were secured, including tho capture of the villa"o of Cartel, Anchin Farm, and a number of strongly-organised 'spinneys. Our a<l vanco m some places was over a mile deep. We took 500 prisoners Wo accentuated our progress nortli of Chavigny and east of Fnverolles, and occupied tho .village of Longpont and Javago Farm. We achieved a coup-de-main north of Montdidier, in Champagne. Thoro is lively oneiuy artillery activity on the right bank of tho Meuse."—Aus.-N.Z. Cnblo Assn.-Reuter.

(Rec. July 15. 1.20 a.m.)

London, July 13. A French communique states: "During the night, between Montdidior and the Oise, our forward posts advanced five hundred metres in the region of Porte Farm."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Ecuter.

GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT,

„ London, July 12. A German official report states: "We repulsed a .strong enemy advance during tho night north-east of JJothuno. There is lively artillery fighting between tho Aisne and tho Marne. Enemy attacks from the forest of Villers Cottcrots pressed back our posts in the region of Saviers."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable- Assn.-Kcuter. (Rec. July 11, 11.20 p.m.)

London. July 13. A wireless German official report states: "We repulsed strong enemy thrusts and frequent reconnaissances south-west of Ypres and north of Albert. Lively activity by the French was continued between the Aisno and tho Marne. AVo caplured prisoners in engagements in tho Forest of Villers Cotterets, and drove back reconnoitring thrusts in tho neighbourhood of Keims."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.Keuter. THE WAR IN THE AIR London, July 12. The Air Ministry's official report stales: "A squadron on tho morning of tho 11th bombed tho railway sidings at Offenburg. A good' burst was observed. All our machines returned."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assu.-Reuter. (Eec. July 11, 5,5 p.m.) . '' London, July 12. Tho Air Ministry reports: "On the night of July 11 wo successfully bombed three aerodromes, causing two fires. Wo bombed tho railway sidingn at S'aarling on July 12. All our machines returned."—Aus.-N.H. Cable Assn.-liculer. SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S REPORT. London, July 12. Sir Douglas Uaig reports: "Heavy showers havo interrupted aerial observation. AVo dropped ten tons of bombs during the day on various targets. Rain prevented Hying at night."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assu.-liouter.

(Rec. July 11, 5.5 p.m.)

London, July 12. Sir Douglas Haig's report states: ''Heavy rainstorms on July 11 limited our activity in the air. Our aeroplanes dropped nino tons of bombs on railway junctions behind Iho Gorman lines Wo destroyed threo Gorman aeroplanes and drove down two others out of control. Three' British machines are missing. Night, flying is imvcssible,"--Au6,.N.Z, Cable- AEsn.-Rfluter.

AMERICAN RAID ON COBLENZ.-A GERMAN REPORT. London, July 12. A German oflicial report states: "We brought down five out of six American aeroplanes which wero attempting to raid Coblcnz, and took the crews pri-soner,"—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Rcuter. ffico. July 14, 5.5 p.m.) London, July 13. A German official report stales: "We shot down six American aeroplanes which were raiding Coblonz."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. WORK OF THE INDEPENDENT AIR FOROE.

London, July 12. The Press Bureau reports: "The independent .air force dropped 61} tons of bombs during 74 raids into Germany in June."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-ltouler.

(P,ec. July 14, 5.5 p.m.)

London, July 12.

The Press Bureau reports: ''The independent air force, co-operating with the Navy, from July Slo July 10 dropped Eight tons of bombs jii the enemy's dock's and works."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reutor.

THE YEAR'S RECORD.

(Rce. July 15, 1.20 a.m.)

London, July 13. The Press Bureau states: "For tlio year ending Juno 30, on the "Western front alone, the British destroyed 2150 of the enemy's aircraft, and drovo down 1083. Tho Air Force, in conjunction v ith the Navy, shot down Gil in the same period; 1094 of ours are missing, and also ninety-two which were working with the Navy from April to June. On tho Italian front the British destroyed 165 and drove down six. Thirteen Brit ish aro missing. On tho Salonika front, from January to Juno, we destroyed twenty-one and drovo down thirteen. Pour British aro missing. Prom March to June, in Egypt and Palestine, wo destroyed twenty-six and drove down fifteen; ton British being missing. The British therefore, during the year, have brought dow.n over four thousand aircraft, while our missing slightly exceeds one thousand." —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Rcuter.

FRENCH AIR RECORD*FOR JUNE. London, July 12. A French communique states: "During Juno 150 enemv aeroplanes were brought down, and 181 were seriously damaged. Over 600 tons of bombs were dropped."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-R*uter.