WAR NEWS.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 5 July 1917, Page 3

WAR NEWS.

MONDAY.

Closing on Lens—German Attacks on French—At Verdun and on the Main — Enemy Heavy LossesGreece Virtually at War.

The importance of the recent operations against the defences of Lens is emphasised by later rep«rts. The advance was made on a front of four miles, and a series of powerful and important positions covering the town were reduced to a depth of over a mile. Further progress has since been made. Violent attacks have been made against the French on the Aisne 3^3,teau and on the Verdun front, Aj£} in both battles the enemy's M~|r,ts has been defeated with n^vy losses. On the Verdun front the German offensive extended from Avocourt to Morthomme. Reports from Athens state that the action of Greece in breaking off relations with the Central Powers has produced virtually a state of war, and it is expected that Germany will declare war. M. Venizelos declares that the place of Greece is beside the democratic Powers, fighting the Central Empires and the hereditary enemies of Greece.

TUESDAY Attacks on French—Fighting on Aisne Ridge—British Pressure on Lens—New Activity in Russia. The Germans are continuing their attacks against the French on the Aisne Plateau and on the Verdun front. A violent attack was delivered against a front of 500 yds on the Chemin dcs Dames ridge, and after suffering very heavy losses, the enemy occupied a line of trenches. Further progress has been made in the British attack on defences of Lens. Recent German reports of activity in Galicia are now confirmed by a Russian communique which describes an artillery battle on the front south of the Pripet, the activity being greatest in the Lemberg zone. German and Austrian reports mention several attacks by Russian infantry.

Much damage has been caused in Ostend among naval vessels and buildings by the recent British bombardment. The attacks were contined during the week-end.

WEDNESDAY Russians Attacking—Advance near Tarnapol—Over 10,000 Prisoners Taken—Austrian Concentration in Trentlno. The first Russian attack on a I large scale for many months has been crowned with success. Enemy positions in the fortified village of Koniuohy, 45 miles south-west of Tarnopol, were stormed, and 8564 prisoners taken. About 15 miles nearer Tarnopol the Russians attacked near Brzezany and occupied strong positions, capturing over 1700 prisoners. It is reported that the Germans are preparing for naval and military operations on a grand scale on the Riga front, and are concentrating troops there. The Austrians are concentrating large-calibre guns in Trentino" The Italians expect a great attack here shortly. French attacks on the CernyAilles sector, in the middle of the Chemin dcs Dames ridge, north of the Aisne, inflicted heavy losses on the enemy, and regained trenches lost the previous day.

THURSDAY ■-? Russians Advancing — Additional yt~: <Saoo Prisonerß — Activities ExBttfending North—French Repulse PHlttacks. f .7 The Russians are successfully y "continuing their offensive, which i is trending northwards in the direction of Zloczov, a town on the Tarnopol-Lemberg railway, 35 miles north-west of Tarnopol. Several villages and an additional 6300 prisoners have been taken. Petrograd has been transformed by the news of the Russian y success. Pessimism has vanished and a wave of patriotism has diverted attention from the anarchists and extremists. The French have repulsed determined German attacks on the Chemin dcs Dames, north of the Aisne, and on the Verdun front.