THE WESTERN FRONT.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 July 1917, Page 2

THE WESTERN FRONT.

(Per Press Association.— Copyright.) j A GREAT STRUGGLE. VIOLENT ENEMY ATTACKS j LONDON, July 22 j A French communique states: There j is a violent enemy bombardment on tbe j Aisne front from Chicrigny Spur to j south-of Hornby. The Germans at ; daybreak powerfully jjttaoked wfth j fresh troops brought up the previous evening between Hurtehise and the casemates of the plateau. The hostile waves of assault were shattered by "u. fire and thrown back on their own trenches. Our heavy batteries dispel* ed the’enemy masses south of the Aileiite with severe losses. Simultaneously our troops brilliantly repelled violent attacks on the casemates of the Californie plateau. The artillery duel continues with redoubled intensity in the whole region. Tho enemy is most active at night time on both banks of the Meuse. There are lively artillery duels in the region of Avooourt and Berzonvaux while in the St. Mihiel sector, the Germans attacked at two points north of ‘Berzonvaux. After m sharp fight we completely drove out the enemy from some elements in which ho had. gained a footing. Two enemy attempts to reach our trenches cm tho heights of tho Meuse and Touchot, near Chevalier’s Wood failed. THE BAUBLE CONTINUES. LONDON, July* za. A French communique states: The battle continued all day long with extreme violence in the region between Hurtebise and Craonne. Our observers located numerous German batteries, the whole of their principal efforts being directed against the casemates of the Calif ornie Plateau, which powerful forces of effectives incessantly attacked, our men resisting with admirable bravery and vigorously counteiatt aching. The enemy was thrown back often from the casemates to which he had clung with i-ucrraous losses. The enemy obtained a foothold on the Californio Plateau in our first line during the afternoon. Fighting continues desperately. Artillery activity is very lively in the Champagne and on the left hank of the Meuse. desperate CONFLICT. LONDON, July 22. Reuter’s correspondent at Finnch ] headquarters describing the attack on a four mile front at Chemin des Dames sector on July 18th. in which tho Fifteenth Division of Prussian (Guards composed of .picked Battalions participated were repulsed says: Everywhere along the crest the Germans have, only a stone’s throw climo to reach the French front line. In some places they are only fifteen, yards apart. The French hanging almost vertically over the Germans Tho latter obtained a single success at one point, because it was-.practic-ally impossible for the French artillery to protect' its own front line. A desperate hand-to-hand conflict waged all night hut tbe enemy was driven out of all his momentary gains by morning. A SUCCESSFUL RAID - WELLINGTON, July 24. The High Commissioner reports from London, July, 23rd at 2 p.m, General Haig reports southward of Avion there were sucesesful local operations at night, the objectives being reach ed with little loss We took a number of prisoners, fiftv-one being already brought in. HAIG’S OPERATIONS. ( AUSTRALIAN A N.Z. CABI.E ASSOCIATION it 11EUTER.] , , LONDON, July 23. General Sir Douglas Haig reports successful local operations southward of Avion reached their objective’ with little loss. We raided and bombed dugouts southward of Havricourt. and in the neighbourhood of BulKeourt and Hollebeke, and wo repulsed raids at Lombartzyde, and south-eastward of Loos. GREAT FRENCH STRUGGLE. holding their. GROUND. (Received This Day at 10.15. a.’it.) LONDON. July 23. A French communique reports German attacks, accompanied by a violent bombardments, were continued yesterday on th© plateau before Craonne the casements. After the finish oi mtremely violent- attempts they sucoeedin pentarating the first line, but immediate vigorous counter attaoks ejected him from all but a small portion. The struggle for California Plateau only ended late at night. Despite all efforts, the enemy were unable to driv© us off the plateau.