WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 9 May 1917, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

BRITISH MAINTAIN GAINS.

ENEMY'S THIRD COUNTER-AT-

TACK SMASHED

HEAVY LOSSES INFLICTED.

LONDON, May 7. ? Sir Douglas Haig reports: The enemy, with considerable forces, this afternoon launched a third counter-attack on our new* positions southward of Souchez river. The first wave reached the slope fronting the trenches, where it was destroyed by rifle and machine-gun fire. His supporting waves were caught by our artillery barrage and broken up. No German reached the trenches A strong body of the enemy was caught in the open in the vicinity of Bullccourt. Artillery and machine-guns inflicted heavy casualties. Seven German aeroplanes were downed on Sunday. Three of ours are missing. GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT. LONDON, May 8. Wireless German official, —British attacks on Roeux and between Fontaines and Reincourt were repulsed sanguinarily. Fighting continued at Bullccourt. Strong French attacks on both sides of Crenelle failed. FRENCH OFFENSIVE. VIOLENT ARTILLERY WORK. LONDON, May 8. A French communique says: During the day the enemy did not renew his attempts north of La Flaux mill and against Chcmin des Dames. An artillery duel continued furiously in the direction of Hurtebise and Craonnc sector, where our troops consolidated a position on the Californian plateau. According to statements of prisoners, four fresh regiments participated in the fruitless attacks ycsterev.c on this plateau suffering very heavy losses. North-west of Rheims we appreciably extended our positions south of Sapingiieul.

RAIDING ENCOUNTERS.

LONDON, May 8,

The High Commissioner cables: General Haig reports active artillery fighting has taken place during the night, particularly between Fresnoy and Loos. At Neuve Chapelle i and Franquessart we carried out raids. North-east of Armentieres a small enemy party raided our trenches yesterday evening, but after hand-to-hand fighting they were driven out, leaving a few dead. A few of our men are missing. Southwards of Armentieres, another enemy raid was repulsed.

GERMAN BALLOONS DESTROYED

Received 10.15.

LONDON, May 8

Mr. Simms, war correspondent, reports that seven British airmen destroyed seven German balloons—three in mid-air and two as they were emerging from their hangars. Fighting around Bulleeoart is continuous, the Germans counter-attacking fearlessly.

FiGHTING FOR BULLECOURT.

Received 11.30.

LONDON, May 8.

A correspondent at headquarters states that fighting for Bullecourt continues. The Germans attempted to retake the portion of the Hindenburg line south-west of the border village, after entering that quarter at Bullecourt, but failed. The Germans attacked at night north-eastward of Fresnoy, but despite their numbers, only succeeded in raiding a little ground.

GERMANS CAPTURE FRESNOY.

LONDON, May 8

The High Commissioner reports: In a wireless message, the Germans claim to have captured Fresnoy this morning, and to be holding the village against British attempts to recapture it.

UNCONQUERABLE BRITISH SPIRIT

TRIBUTE BY MR, GIBBS

LONDON, May 7. Mr Gibbs pays a tribute to the unconquerable spirit of the British at Arras battle. In many cases the men ignored orders to retire, and held on I: in small parties when their comrades were withdrawn. A notable instance was that of the Australians at Bullecourt. Many Australian lads refused to go back, although staying meant certain death or capture. The Australians are out to finish the business with the least possible delay, and their confidence of victory amounts to pure faith, but the same spirit runs throughout our army.

A FRENCH REPORT. LONDON, May 8. The High Commissioner reports: French official report: During the night the enemy counter-attacked eastwards of Vauxhallon and southwards of Chemin des Dames, towards Apertheon and Cerny, was broken by our fire. On Vauclere plateau and in Craonno region there has been violent artillery action at times. Northwards of Vauclere plateau a surprise attack enabled us to overcome the enemy resistance in the centre, making 90 prisoners.

A French communique states there is considerable artillery activity between the Somme and the Oise. The enemy counter-attacked east of Vaux Aillon and Chemin des Dames, in the direction of Pantheon and Cerny. Our fire smashed all attempts. The artillery struggle is occasionally violent. Further east, on the Vauclere plateau and in the Craonne district, a coup de main carried the enemy's centre, after resistance at the north Vauclere plateau. The enemy attempts to recapture ground north-west of Rheims and south of Berry au Bac ended to our advantage. We repulsed a strong attack on the crest at Tefon, northeast of Monthaut.

COLONEL REPINGTON'S VIEWS. OUR AERIAL AND ARTILLERY SUPERIORITY. Received 11.30. LONDON, May 8. Colonel Repington is greatly impressed with the British artillery and aerial superiority. Hnidenburg proposed to double the guns last winter, but there are no signs that he did so. The enemy oxer no better than a. passive resister. We have abundant gas and released clouds, which the enemy dreads and suffers therefrom. He must curse the jay he first decided to use it. Although the Germans, by swarms of a new-type battleplane made a great effort to suppress our airmen, later on, though they had an uncommonly warm time, they took offensive and drove back the Germans. It is foolish to criticise types of machines, because every type is wanted. We have a few birds of the air if stuck for one type. The latest type equals Germany's best, but a greater quantity and a constant succession of new types is needed,, because an aeroplane 's fighting life is two months, and an airman rarely lasts longer than nine months owing to the greatness of the strain.