WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 22 June 1917, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

IN THE OUTSKIRTS OF LENS. CANADIANS TAKE TRENCHES LONDON, June 20. The United Press Association Headquarters communique states that fighting under torrid skies varied by thund-er-storms and winds of typhoon forc», the Canadians took trenches last night below the reservoir on the hill in the outskirts of Lens, crushing three violent counter-attacks between midnight and dawn. Patrols report that there are no Germans westward of the Lys from Gapaard, east of Messines, southward to Warneton. Realising that the position was critical in the river bend, the enemy de,camped. GIVING THE GERMANS NO REST. BLOCKING SUPPLIES. Received 9.15 a.m. PARIS, June 21. The "Petit Parisicn" states that the British army's remorseless harrying has effaced the word "rest" from the Gjerman spreading everywhere a network of incessant raids, while the artillery block supplies, especially all important victuals. GERMAN'S LESSENING .MORALE. NOTICEABLE ON WEST FRONT. Received 9.15 a.m. LONDON, June 21. Visitors arriving in London confirm newspaper correspondents' reports respecting the waning moral of the Ger-. man troops. It is very notable along the Western Front how reaidly Germans surrendered. Some of the best disciplined troops were kept in hand, but the overwhelmingly gunfire frequently caused a desire to become prisoners, The fighting iv spirit is most distinctly lessening. -The Germans in. sheerjruthless malignity fire- large naval shells daily at Rheims, Arras, ,and Bapaume, and these places are.in ruins. Nobody is.living at Bapaumei and iOnly four hnudred at Arras. EVACUATING FLANDERS. REPORTED GERMAN MOVEMENT. AMSTERDAM, June 21. "Les Nouvelles," published at Maastriet, sayfc that |many Belgian*; iare quitting Flanders, have arrived at Liurg. They assert that the Germans are evacuating Flanders, especially the post regions. ENEMY ATTACK REPULSED. LONDON, June 20. British official.—After the failure of three hostile counter-attacks north of the Souch.cz ijiver, Reported in thljs morning's communique, the enemy's fourth, attempt was' completely repul- '•■'' i- ' - ; - '■• ■' ENEMY ATTACKS THROWN BACK. LONDON, June 20. French communique.— The enemy during the night strongly bombarded our positions frpm the Ailette to La£faux. There was great reciprocal artillerying in the Monft TSeaumont-Corcilflet region. Our fire scattered and threw back to • their own trenches a German attack. IMPORTANT CANADIAN SUCCESS. Received 9.45 a.m OTTAWA, June 21. Canadian headquarters reports that the Canadians captured a group of German trenches on Reservoir Hill, facilitating the Allies' approach towards Lens.

STRONG ATTACKS ON FRENCH LINES, Rciceved 11.25 a.in. LONDON, June 21. French communique: After bombardment mentioned yesterday afternoon the Germans attacked our position on a kilometre front with large forces, and succeeded in gaining footing in part of our first line trench east of Vauxaillon. Another attempt south of Filaiiq on the salient of our line eastwards of Eozcre farm was resultlcss. An artillery duel is lively between Hartebise, and Chevreux, on the Verdun front, and the sectors of Vacheraaville and Chabrctcs. INDIAN AFFAIRS INDIAN WAR LOAN. DOUBLE THE AMOUNT ESTIMATED. Received 8.55 a.m. LONDON, June 21. The Indian War Loan has totalled thirty-six million sterling—more than double the estimate.