WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 30 July 1917, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

GERMANS. CLAIM SUCCESS. IN EAST AND WEST. LONDON, July 27. A German official report states: The artillery duel in Flanders was intense last evening. Renewed powerful English reconnaissances everywhere failed. A French counter-attack southward of Ailles, near Hurtobise farm and Hoehberg, failed heavily. Our prisoners and booty have increased. We captured 1450 prisoners at Ailles. We made a surprise attack eastward of Suippes, and took many prisoners. The Kaiser was a spectator of a bitter struggle wherein we extended our gains near Tarnopol, powerfully attacking a hotly contested bridgehead on the east bank of the Sereth. Despite stubborn resistance, the Russians who were sent forward suffered thousands of casualties. Wc captured Gniezna and the Sereth crossing from Trembowla to Skomorocze. W r e are rapidly advancing on both sides of the Dniester. Austro-Hun-garians and Bavarians captured Koloniea. We are following on the heels of the enemy in the north-eastern wooded Carpathians in the direction of Pruth. We evacuated Soveja Valley as far as the upper course of the Putna.

-GERMAN PRISONERS. PUNISHMENTS AND REPRISALS. LONDON, July 27. In his statement in the House of Commons concerning German prisoners Mr J. F. Hope (Junior Lord of the Treasury) stated that the punishments of prisoners who attempted to escape, had been reduced, and all punishments inflicted would cease by the first of August. Reprisals agairist individuals wouldibe immediately cancelled, and in future reprisals would be subject to a month's notice. The execution of all other sentences would be postponed till peace was declared.

HUNS' BOMB HOSPITALS

Received 11.40

LONDON, July 29

General Haig reports:—-We carried out successful raids yester-night north-westward of Epehy, south-east of Havrincou'rt, and westward of Fontain les Croiselles, near Fleurbaix. We entered positions near Ypres, and repulsed raiders south-east of Messines.

PARIS, July 29

The latest example of German brutality: An aeroplane flew over and deliberately dropped bombs on a hospital at Jouckery-Survesle,'despite the fact that they must have clearly seen the red crosses. Two doctors, a chemist and a nurse were killed and others injured.

ON THE FLANDERS FRONT,

BIG THINGS COMING

LONDON, July 28

Correspondents describe portentous British artillery fire on the Flanders front. For forty-eight hours it has been of unparalleled intensity. Reeonnoitrers penetrated far into the German second line.

Sir Douglas Haig and a French communique indicate intense artillery fire. Sir Douglas Haig reports: There has been- considerable reciprocal artillery fire at various points, especially northward of Beverleys. .AIR BLACK WITH AEROPLANES.. LONDON, July 28. Mr. Philip Gibbs reports: The enemy arc firing an enormous number of shells into our Frenches. Roads and, back areas are piled with huge supplies of ammunition. This artillery offensive includes quantities of gas shells, which the Germans put at night time over the low-lying ground, the strafing being specially directed to the country near the coast. I saw a fierce bombardment of Nieuport on Tuesday, the Germans smashing the town to bits. The air above was thick with aeroplanes, like midges on a summer evening. Sir Douglas Haig reports: We repulsed an attack eastward of Costaxerne.

Enemy artillery is active in the neighbourhood of 'Armentieres, northward of Ypres and in the Nieuport sector. GERMAN COMMUNIQUE. LONDON, July 28. German wireless. —The artillery duel in Flanders is undiminished. The enemy lost thirteen aeroplanes in the course of numerous engagements on the French front. INTENSE AERIAL FIGHTING. LONDON, July 29. There was intense fighting yesterday evening An unusual number of photographs were taken. W e bombed four enemy aerodromes, some machines flying at low altitudes forty miles behind the enemy lines. Thirty-one machines were downed. Three of ours are missing.

EXTENSIVE BOMBARDMENT.

Received 11.20. PARIS, July 29. Le Petit journal's correspondent at the British front says the German statement that the bombardment ertends from the sea to Lys partly conceals th e truth, as the artillery active action greatly exceeds these limits. The correspondent witnessed a violent bombardment near Lens. FRANCO-BRITISH CAPTURES. Received 11.20. PARIS, July 29. The Franco-British captures for the third year of the Avar on the West Front ■• are 3,000 officers, 165,000 men, 948 heavy field guns, 780 mortars, 2500 machine-guns. GERMANY'S GREAT LOSSES. PARIS, July 28. Since April 16th, the Germans have employer! on the Aisne and Champagne front, seventy-one divsions—practically one-third of their entire army. The enormous losses in three divisions caused the Germans to suppress several regiments, using the men to fill up the decimated divisions.

ENEMY REPULSED WITH HEAVY LOSSES.

LONDON, July 28

French communique.—Violent enemy bombardments were followed by a series of fresh attempts oh" the entire B'raye-en-Lajonnois—Chevrigny ridge and in the direction of Hurteboise. All infantry attacks completely failed with heavy losses. THE BARBAROUS HUNS. Received 9.25. AMSTERDAM, July 29. Les Nouvelles states the Germans shot seven Belgians at Liege on July 12th, including a commissioner of police and a priest. The latter was thrice starved for three days to try to force him to betray his comrades.