WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 25 June 1917, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

GREAT ARTILLERY STRUGGLE

LONDON, June 22,

A French communique reports:—

The artillery struggle continued east of Vauxaillion, north of the Aisnc, and was extended last night to the region south of Filian, and north of Braye en Laonnois, where it was very voilent. The Germans yesterday evening attacked the crest of Mount Teton, in the Champagne, and eastward on a front of four hundred metres, they penetrated the advanced elements, biw were driven out after lively fighting, and we entirely re-established our line.

GERMANS' FIERCE. BUT FUTILE ATTACKS. LONDON, June 23. French communique.—After a violent bombardment all night, the Gcimans renewed their attempts in the region of "Vauxaillon and south-east of Filian. All attacks were repulsed with serious losses, the enemy not gaining any advantage. Fighting was particularly lively tween Roxer and Froidmont Farms. The Germans, who extended their attacking front east of Epine de Chevrigny and far north of Froidmont Farm multiplied their efforts to carry the positions whence they were beaten back yesterday. Our fire broke the assaulting waves, which were unable to reach our linos or to emerge from the salient wherein they penetrated yesterday. Other enemy attempts east of Chevrcux and east of Cavaliers de Conroy - in the sector Chambrettes also failed. PARIS, June 23. An artillery duel continued all day on Cbemin des Dames, but there was no infantry action. ROTTERDAM, June 23. Frontier reports state that the evacuation of Western Flanders continues Two thousand inhabitants from the coastal region have arrived at Tongres. Belgian civilians are arriving in eastern provinces in large numbers. ~ r~ PORTION OF FRENCH LINE PENETRATED. V LONDON, June 23. French communique.'—On Chemin des Dames, bombardment of onr positions south of Filian, in the region of Bray-en-Laonnois, continued until the morning. A series of violent attacks followed. The Germans launched large forces, composed of special troops, on a front of over two kilometres. The attack was stubborn despite heavy losses inflicted on the enenry. Their efforts were broken, the greater part of the waves of assault being driven back. We held our positions except in the centre where the enemy pentrated, after several attempts, into the salient off our lines.

The German official communique says We stormed a section of the French position, south : eastwards of Filian, on a 14 kilometres front to a depth of 500 metros. We maintained the position despite three violent counter-attacks. BRITISH PRISONERS IN WAR ZONE. Received 9.40 a.m. PARIS, June 24. The “Petit Journal” contradicts the German statements that prisoners are no longer employed in the firing zone. It states that British prisoners just escaped were kept for five days in German support trenches, and compelled to carry French mortar shells over open ground exposed to British gunfire. BRITISH REPORT. Received 9.40. LONDON, June 24. Sir Douglas Haig reports that patrol encounters have taken place south ward of the Scarpe, and that hostile artillery is active at Croiselles and Messines. FRENCH AND GERMAN REPORTS. LONDON, June 24. French communique; Violent reciprocal artillerying is taking place in the region of Hurteboise and Craonne. We silenced ‘ a violent enemy bombardment south of Juvincourt and dispersed the assembling infantry. German official: We repulsed English reconnoitring advances southward of the Scarpe. Our fire compelled the French to evacuate ground gained on the eighteenth and twentyfirst .eastward of Mount Cornillet. BELGIUM DIVIDED BY GERMANS. Received 9.40. AMSTERDAM, June 24. The Germans have divided Belgium and appointed an administrator for the Flemish territory, stationed at Brussels, and an administrator for the Walloon territory, stationed at Namur. This has been done to get a closer grip of the people.