IN THE WEST.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 July 1917, Page 3

IN THE WEST.

A BRITISH SET BACK, b ___ ON DUNES IN BELGIUM. (Received This Day at 11.25. a.m.) LONDON, July 12. Military critics point out that the Nieuport set back comes as a surprise ! but its importance must not he overestimated. Tho British had only recently taken over the dunes sector and a heavy gal® on Tuesday possibly necessitated a temporary absence of warships supporting tho army. It has boon long evidont that either side after an adequate artillery preparation would bei able to gain the tern porary possession ’of a small section of trench. Big German guns established x sn the dunes made Tuesday’s success comparatively simple. When the Yser bridges were broken tHe British battalions holding the seotor were unable to resist. The longer repulse of tlio enemy at Lombaertzydo proves that the German success was only local Hindonburg has not the slightest hope of breaking through the British line at Nieuport. The real reason for tho attack was that the Germans had become fearful of the Allies advance along the coast, and accordingly collected troops intending to forestall the Briisli attack or wero preparing t° withdraw elsewhere on the line.