WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 23 July 1917, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

GREAT GERMAN ATTACKS COMPLETELY REPULSED.

DESPERATRJ" FIGHTING CORDED, ' LONDON, July 21. French communique.—The struggle continues violently in the region of Hurteboise-Craonne. The Germans renewed attacks until late in the night. After powerful artillery concentration, the enemy yesterday evening re-attempted a general assault with important forces on our line on the plateau before Craonne and Vauclerc. Hand-to-hand fighting occurred on the whole front, which our troops defended with magnificent courage. Their resistance arid tenacity overcame the furious assaults and we entirely maintained our positions everywhere. The enemy, despite heavy sacrifices, did not get a footing in either the California casemates on the plateau or in our positions to the westward. The ground in front of the lines is covered with bodies, testifying to the violence of the struggle and the sanguinary defeat of the enemy. German attempts to extend a slight advantage gained yesterday between California casemates on the pleateau were equally vain. Moreover, energetic counter-attacks enabled us to surround a pocket wherein the enemy I penetrated. We hold entirely the j crest of the plateau. The enemy still retains a space of 600 metres and are clinging to the northern edge of the plateau, where were our first line positions, which the bombardment completely destroyed.

French communique.—Enemy attacks or attempted attacks followed very violent bombardments at many points in the sectors Cerny, Hurteboise, Craonne and the road north of Bray-en-Laonnois, but the accurab fire and vigilance of our troops caused the plans to fail.

An enemy attack carried out with force south-east of Cerny twice penetrated our advanced trenches on a front of 250 metres. On each occasion vigorous counter-attacks completely drove them out. We broke up wifJi heavy losses a powerful enemy concentration for an attack between Hurteboise and California Plateau. We re-captured a trench element in the region of Montin des Terisent. An artillery duel was fairly lively north of the Aisne. GERMAN COMMUNIQUE. LONDON, July 21. The French thrice fruitlessly attacked south-west of St. Quentin. We captured part of the French Interbet (?) positions nortk-west of Craonne. Heavy counter-attacks during the night forced us to abandon some trenches.

CANADIANS AT LENS.

VANCOUVER, July 21. The Canadian troops .have established a new post 1500 yards from the heart of Lens. There Is every evidence that the Huns will hold the city until their losses are unendurable. ACTIVITY IN FLANDERS. VIOLENT ARTILLERY FIRE. LONDON, July 21. Wireless German official.—Artillery fire in Flanders is extremely violent. Enemy advances at Lombardzyde and eastward of Messines, Gavrelle and Monchy failed.

Wireless German official: Artillery fire in Flanders has only temporarily decreased in violence. It has also increased on La Bassee Canal, at Lens, and on the Scarpe. Strong enemy reconnoitring advances wore unsuccessful.

ENEMY’S GUNS BUSY.

LONDON, July 21. Sir Douglas Haig reports: There is great activity by the enemy’s artillery in the Lombartzyde sector. Our aeroplanes successfully bombed four aerodromes and an important railway junction, where a large explosion was caused. SUCCESSFUL BRITISH RAIDS. LONDON, July 21. Sir Douglas Haig reports: We raided last night Greenland Hill, northwards of Roeux. The garrison hurriedly withdrew on our approach. We' also successfully raided southwestward of La Bassee. Southward of Armenticrcs German positions were entered on a wide front. We repulsed raiders northward of Havrecourt Wood and southward of Armentieres.

GERMANY'S RECENT DEFEAT.

FLOWER OF HER ARMY BEATEN.

Received 10.10,

PARIS, July 21

M. Marcel Hatin, the French expert writer, says that one of the most desperate battles, probably in this most merciless war, terminated south of Oerny in an uncontestable victory for the Frnech infantry and the bloody defeat of best German troops, represented by Brandenburg Guards and heaps ,of enemy dead testify to the phenomenal losses. PATROLS ENCOUNTERS.

Received 11.10, LONDON, July 22

General Haig reports: Patrols encounters last night northwestward of St. Quentin and southward of Lens resulted in our favour. We slightly advanced our line southeastward of Monchy-le-Pren. Hostile artillery activity prevails at Armentieres to the coast.