WAR NEWS.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 24 May 1917, Page 3

WAR NEWS.

MONDAY, Italians Pressing On—Cruiser action in Adriatic — British Transport Torpedoed — Russian Situation Improved— Conscription in Canada The Italians have captured a hill which is the key position north of Monte Santa, which, in turn, commands the Austrian defences east of Gorz. The total of prisoners taken by the Italians is now 6342. Austrian cruisers and destroyers : raided an allied drifter line in ithes Adriatic, and sank 14 B|frtis]|.. drifters. The Austrian . s*ipy<were pursued back to port b.y allied warships, and two cruisers were badly damaged, one being in a sinking condition. A great improvement is reported in the Russian situation. The army is enthusiastic over the appointment of M. Kerenski as Minister for War, and the generals approve the new Coalition Cabinet. The decision of the Canadian Government to adopt conscription has been announced. An American division is to be sent to France as soon as possible. The Cameronia, an Anchor Line steamer in use as a transport, was torpedoed in the Eastern Mediterranean. Destroyers went to the rescue, but 129 soldiers and 11 sailors are missing.

TUESDAY Gain on Wodan Line—Another mile Stormed — Important Tactical Operation—ltalians make Further Progress.

An attack lauched early in the morning gained another mile of the Hindenburg 'line north of Bullecourf The usual counterattacks by the Germans followed and heavy fighting lasted all day but the British held their gains and inflicted severe losses on the enemy.

Another general assault on the new French positions north of Aisne has begun. Slowness of the French progress in the sector of 32 miles south of St. Quentin is explained by the information that the Germans flooded the Oise Valley, in order to protect the Loan Plain.

The Italians are still extending their gains north and east of Gorz, and have driven back dense masses of the enemy.

The Russians have checked two attempted attacks on the eastern front —one in the Dvinsk sector, and the other near the Roumanian frontier.

WEDNESDAY The Hindenburg Line—British hold Ten Miles—From Arras to Bullecourt —Germans in Isolated Sector —French Gain in Champagne. The British now hold the whole of the Wodan or northern sector 'of the Hindenburg line from a mile east of Bullecourt, 10 miles south-east of Arras, to Arras, with the exception of an isolated sector of 2000 yds west of Bullecourt. ~ A French operation in two sectors of the Moronvillers Massif, a plateau north-west of Auberive, in the Champagne, met with exceptional success. The French carried several lines of , trenches on the slopes of Mount Cornillet, and took 800 prisoners. A flotilla of German destroyers which were making for Dunkirk were chased to their base by four French destroyers. £&• Douglas Haig states that, iti|g)le>(:latest advances, airmen with the infantry by attacking the enemy's front-line trenches with machine-guns.

THURSDAY Austrian Offensive —Attack in the Trentino —Failure to make Progress —Allies Hold Western gains The Austrians have commenced a counter-offensive in the Trentino, it is presumed with the object of relieving the pressure ori the Isonzo front. An attempt to seize the important strategic position of Mount Pasubia failed and the Italians inflicted heavy loss on the enemy. Italian aeroplanes bombarded the arsenal at Pola, causing a great fire which burned for two days. The French have held their recent gains in the Champagne against counter-attacks.

Russia has given assurances to France of her complete solidarity with the allies.

French military writers state that there are signs that the Germans are preparing to retreat to a ne\y system of defences as the alternative to decisive defeat.