THE WESTERN FRONT.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 June 1917, Page 2

THE WESTERN FRONT.

further progress

WELLINGTON, This Day. The High Commissioner reports from London o n Juu© 25th at 9.40 p.m.: British official. —. —Our success last night south-west of Lens was followed up to-day on both banks of the Souchez river. Wo substantially progressed in this area on a front of a mile and a half.

An enemy raid last night south-east of Ypres was completely repulsed.

RAIDING OPERATIONS.

WELLINGTON, This Day

The High Commissioner reports from London - on June 25th, at 2.30 p.m.:— Sir Douglas Haig reports that northwestward of Croiselles there were successful (local operations during the night, and a number of prisoneds were taken.

Ait Lahassee. hostile raiding parties were repulsed, at night-

AN AIR FIGHT

ONE ENEMY DOWNED

LONDON, Juno 26

An Admiralty report states that in the course of a patrol yesterday threo naval aeroplanes engaged ,ten of the enemy in the vicinity of Roulers. After a sixteen. minutes’ fight, one of the enemy was downed in. flames and it is thought two others wore downed out of control, but owing to clouds this was not verified. Our machines are safe.

THE ENEMY NERVOUS.

DESTROYING COMINES.

LONDON, Juno

Mr Percival Phillips ’states: —The enemy is exceedingly nervous and apprehensive. False fnight alarms are continually being signalled, the jumpy sentries calling th G gunners from wus« dugouts and setting the batteries blazing forth futile discharges of shells. Tho many bold British raiding expeditions are increasing the tensionEvery one is completely successful, despite the. enemy’s 'watchfulness and his strengthening of the front h ne German detachments.

The German nervousness is shown by the destruction of property in and around Comines, four miles east of Warnoton. Great fires aro burning at Comines.

The British line is" being drawn tighter around Lens and their steady bombardment has forced the enemy to fall back to Riamont Wood, enabling th o British to occupy another strip of ruined dwellings and slagheaps, which they are utilising for machine-guns. Lens is still well defended, and the colliery district behind contains many carefully concealed batteries. The, enemy is no longer attempting to recapture tho suburbs lost at Lens, and though the present period is on® of apparent tranquillity, enough is being don e to convince the enemy that the British Army is not resting.

SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS

[••ukuter’s” tei.koium.]

LONDON, June 25

Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig reports:- —We followed up last, night’s success -soutu-west of Lous and substantially progressed astride the Sbuehez river on a front of one and a half miles. W 0 repulsed a raid soutueast of Ypres, There was heavy air fighting yesterday. Eleven of the enemy machines were brought dov»n. ’Five of ours ore missing.

RHEIMS AGAIN SHELLED

LONDON, June »>■

A French communique states: There is sustained reciprocal artillery activity north of l’Affaux Mill and in sectors on the Aisno, and at Craonno and Chevreux.

Twelve hud red shells were thrown into Rheims.

FRENCH MOVEMENTS

ATHENS June 26,

French troops occupied Stadium, Lappeion atid other point-s on Monday.

FRENCH SUCCESS

300 PRISONERS TAKEN

WELLINGTON, This Day. The High Commissioner reports from London on June 26th a* 3.10,p.m.: French official report. Yesteiday evening, after k short artillery preparation, we attacked north-east of Hurtebise. We solidly organised she spur/ all objectives being attained, and the German first line trenches falling jntf oiir possession. . In a few moments the enemy coun er-at£acked our two extremities. A violent bombardment ■ was broken by our fire. The enemy rapidly attacked 1 but sustained heavy losses, including 300 made prisoner. •