WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 19 June 1917, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

GERMAN CASUALTIES. A HUGE TOTAL. Received 9.15 a.m. AMSTERDAM, June IS. German official casualties reported during May totalled 110,950, of which 19,006 were deaths. The total casualties for the war are 4,856,760, of which 1,068,127 were deaths. AFTER MESSINES BATTLE. ENEMY COMMAND BEWILDERED. THE CAPTURE OF MESSINES. "THE BEST THING ANY ARMY HAS DONE." LONDON, June IS,

Mr. Philip Gibbs says: There are signs of the bewilderment of the enemy after the loss of Messiues. The German command appears undecided where to make the next stand. Many groups of Germans in the neighbourhood of Warneton are in a hideous position, because they are of touch with headquarters. They are living an awful life in shell craters under our gunfire. Our advance on the west side of Bullecourt takes another piece of Hindcnburg Line, whereof little is now left. The organisation of th# army amply provides for the hot weather. The fierce sun is the troops brown. It Is noteworthy that water was sent up quickly during the Messines battle, also two lemons for each man. By common consent, the Messines show was the best thing any army has done. Twenty German officers, who were dragged out of a dug-out at Wytschaete, were in the blackest despair. They declared that their men had gone to the devil. The second division of the East Prussians was wiped out. From a strength of .3600, prisoners were taken, and most of the remainder were killed or wounded.

CAPTURE OF INFANTRY HILL

LONDON, June 18

Mr. Percival Gibb reports that one of the neatest achievements was the capture of Infantry Hill, near Monehy. The British surprised two companies of Bavarians who were breakfasting in the trenches. The British quietly slipped across, and, without firing a shot, brought back 175 of the enemy within two minutes. This was the quickest and most effective little job during the recent operations. The Bavarians Avere compelled to leave steaming coffee. GREAT ACTIVITY ON WEST FRONT. LONDON, June 17. Sir Douglas Haig reports: There has been hostile artillery fire southward of Croisellcs, south-westwards of Lens, and at a number of points between Armentieres aud Ypres. , There was great air activity yesterday. Wc brought down seven aeroplanes and drove down three. Two of ours are missing. GERMANS RE-CAPTURE POSITIONS.

The High Commissioner reports: LONDON. June 18.

Sir Douglas Haig reports that early this morning the enemy strongly attacked under cover of a heavy bombardment the positions captured on Thursday morning, eastward of Monchy and Le Preux. After severe fighting avc -were compelled to fall back from certain advanced posts which we established in front of our main new position, which we still hold. RHEIMS VIOLENTLY BOMBARDED LONDON. Juno 17. A French communique says: Following last night's bombardment in the Hurtebise sector, the enemy attacked and succeeded in entering a salient of our positions, but were driven back after a brisk fight. They were only able to maintain themselves in a small element of the advanced line. Our artillery tfine continued all day hpre, north of Brave en Laonnois. The enemy have violently bombarded Rheims during the past few days Twelve hundred shells fell to-day. There were many civilian casualties. BRITISH FOOD PROBLEM THE NEW FOOD CONTROLLER. Received 9.15. LONDON, June 18. Lord Rhondda has announced that the Government has given him ample authority to deal with the whole situation ,and empowered him if necessary to take over the country's food supply, and to strongly check speculation. When thousands are making the supreme sacrifice in the cause of liberty the profiteer is a blackmailer, and must be treated as such. "My first effoj*," said Lord Rhondda, "will be to reduce the price of bread."