WESTERN FRONT.

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

WESTERN FRONT.

GERMAN ATTACKS REPULSED. WITH HEAVY LOSS. 5000 PRISONERS TAKEN. j LONDON, August 21. i The High Commissioner reports:— French official report: On the Cerny plateau the enemy attacked at three points, being twice thrown back badly broken from our trenches. Another attempt. westward of Hurtebise monument was equally a failure. At Verdun the Germans energetically counter-at-tacked most violently during the night, notably -at Avocourt Wood and northward of Caurieres Wood. The attack was broken by fire with heavy losses to the enemy, and we organised the conquered posfljjion yesterday, taking 5000, unwounded prisoners, including 110 officers. BRILLIANT ATTACK AT VERDUN. POSITIONS CARRIED ON BOTH SIDES OF MEUSE. LONDON, August 21. French headquarters reports: At dawn to-day the French began another battle on the historic field of Verdun. For over a fortnight our batteries on both sides of the river from Avocourt Wood on the left bank to Bczonvaux on the right, a distance of fully sixteen miles. This morning the infantry leapt from the trenches, and a splendid rush within forts minutes carried them to the limits of their first line objective. All the objectives of the day were carried by 7 o’clock. Reports are coming in of a satisfactory number of prisoners having been taken by all the divisions engaged. There is every reason to hope that splendid results have been achieved at relatively small casualties. PRISONERS EXCEED 4000. VIOLENT COUNTER-ATTACKS FAIL.

LONDON, August 20

French communique.—North of Verdun we carried the enemy defences on both sides of the Meuse on a front of eighteen kilometres to a depth, at some points, of over two kilometres. On the left bank we particularly hold Avocourt Wood, both summits of Mort--1 7 homme and Corbeau and Cumieres Woods. On the right bank we carried Tallow Hill, Champneuville, Hill 344, Moront. Farm and Hill 240 to north of Louvemont. On the right we considerably advanced in the Bois des Fooses and the Bois le Chaume. The total wounded prisoners exceed 4000. The Germans violently counter-at-tacked at Avocourt Wood, Morthomme and Hill 344. Our fire everywhere nullified their efforts and inflicted heavy losses. 'Aviators played a brilliant part, mac-hine-gunning enemy gatherings at low altitudes, this contributing to the repulse of the counter-attacks. Our pilots brought down eleven machines and Special guns brought down two. THE GERMAN ACCOUNT. Wireless German official.'—The battle of Verdun is going in our favour. The enemy penetrated our defensive zone at Avocourt Wood and Morthomme. We repulsed attacks on the cast bank of the Meuse. . TERRIFIC CANADIAN ATTACK. Received 8.50. OTTAWA, August 21. The Canadians -have launched a terrific attack towards Lens, and fierce hand-to-hand fighting Is proceeding. STOCKHOLM CONFERENCE. MINERS AND STOCKHOLM. DECIDE NOT TO GO. LONDON, August 20. A private conference of the Miners’ Federation by a small majority reversed the decision to delegates to the Stockholm Conference, and recommended adjournment of the discussion on the Labour party executive’s peace memorandum until affiliated bodies have an opportunity 'of considering the matter. KAISER VISITS THE FLEET. AMSTERDAM, August 20. The Kaiser is visiting the High Sea fleet, escorted by cruisers, torpedoboats, submarines, and airships. NO PAPER FROM SWEDEN. COPENHAGEN, August 20. The Swedish Government has prohibited the export of paper for newspapers except under license. The decision is the result of the shortage of timber and coal.