WAR NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 May 1917, Page 1

WAR NEWS.

[Pan Press Association.—Copybight.] FRENCH FRONT. Heavy Fipjiting (Austra'ian & N Z. Gable Association and Reuter-) LONDON, May y. A French communique reports that the struggle is keenest at Cheinin des Dames. Enemy attacks made with large forces, and preceded by a violent bombardment, were everywhere repulsed. In tire districts of Cerny, Delabovelle, and on the monument at De Hurli-~ bise the Germans were twice bloodily defeated. In a powerful effort made furtner east against the California Plateau, tne assaulting waves were mown down by our barrage. The enemy - gained momentarily a footing in the north-east salient of the plateau, hut a bayonet charge ousted them in disorder. The number of German dead testified absolutely to the purposeless sacrifices made. Our positions were entirely maintained while we in turn carried the German first line trench on a front pf 120 metres -north-east of Chevruao. BULLECOURT FIGHT. A Gruesome Account

(Anslr.liun &N.SS. GuLlg Association su.l JJsuter), LONDON, May 9. The “Morning Post” says the Utermany surrounded at Bullecourt have the strongest possible defences. iNe>.v •troops, belonging to the 207th Division were brought from Ypres .at, the weekend to garrison the village. The Scots captured many of them yesterday anu found the majority concealed in augouts. When attacked, after a thorough night-long bombardmeant, the Germans surrendered after severe casualties before the Scots attacked. Later the Germains made several attempts to recover the trenches, but the Scots held the ground. Australian bombers giving effective co-operation. Bullecourt is not destined to long remain a German stronghold. Tji© Germans themselves realise the fact, and are try ing to >dig new trenches behind the village; hut our artillery disperses every working party, and bodies lie thick among the entrenching tools.

A S t Back. PARIS, May 9. The Petit Journal pays a tribute to British frankness in admitting the setback at Fresnov which is less important- owing to the British maintaining all the. positions south-eastwards ana northeastward. Therefore the Germany at Fresroy will find it difficult to hold the salient.

His Dardanelles [rettter’s service.—oofyrightJ COPENHAGEN, May 9. In an interview, Bernerbund the Turkish Minister at Berlin declared that Turkey was.willing to open the Dardanelles for Russia. Ho says the Dardanelles was closed by the London Agreement of 1841 and only because of England’s demands Turkey is now ready to fulfil Russia’s* demands . as the latter is not striving against Turkey’s independence.

Bbrrnafi Report. LONDON, May 9. x Wireless German official: —Bavarian and Fra'nkisli regiments which stormed Fresnoy held the village against counter attacks. We repulsed British advances at Rieux and Bullecourt and repulsed the French after a hand-to-hand struggle between' Wmterburg and CorberryBerry au Bae road. /■bother Report LONDON, May 9. A wireless German official message says:— We repulsed Russian attacks northward of Killibaba and south warns oi the Valeput'na Road. The -enemy alt-tacked at- numerous points between Lake Prespa and Lake Doiran. Repeated assaults -were' heavily repulsed. There is the bitterest fighting at Cerna salient.

Franch Report * LONDON, May 9. A French ’Macedonian communique reports:—Artillerying was active on the whole front. British aeroplanes* successfully bombed enemy depots at Dedli and Paljorca. Contrary to the allegations contained in the German- communique of May Bth, there was no attack on the Cerna salient.

Appreciated. LONDON, May 9. 'Die Press Bureau announces that tSir Douglas Haig lias written to the Minister of Muni tons expressing the .Army’s appreciation of the Workersefforts as shown in the supply of guns, rifles ammunition aircraft and tanks during the recent operations. We rely on our workers to ensure that the army will lack nothing in future. Jhe reduction in the number of premature cartridges proves that the manufacture filling, and, inspection has reached a high standard.

Russian Report. ' LONDON, Fay 9. Wireless Russian official: —Our artillery northeast of Bizzany caused explosions of enemy’s batteries. We advanced north-west of Senile towards Jevawor,