WESTERN FRONT.

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

WESTERN FRONT.

FRENCH HEAVY ARTILLERY SUPERIOR PARIS, August 21. i The German discharged unprecedented quantities of gas clouds and gasshells at Verdun. The “Journal’s” correspondent says We established Incontestable superiority in heavy artillery in the whole sector of kilometres. This is a new factor in the Verdun fighting. Marcel Hvftin says the Germans withdrew from the front lines the buik of their forces for the preparation of a counter-attack. Therefore 4,000 prisoners is enormous. ' I WONDERFULLY QUICK WORK. , LONDON, August 21. The first day ’s offensive at Verdun more than fulfilled expectations. Dead-man’s-'Hill (Morthomme) was the battle pivot. Its capture in a single day though tunnelled and/ strongly entrenched, contrasts with the enemy’s prolonged effort to capture it last summer. The German losses are believed to greatly exceed the French. The enemy’s latest devilry is a socalled mustard shell, which gives out a corrosive poisonous gas attacking the eyes and lungs. FRENCH CONSOLIDATE CAP- . . TURED GROUND. PARIS, August 21. The enemy fruitlessly counter-at-tacked with extreme violence north of Verdun, notably at Avocourt Wood .and north of Caurieres Wood. We maintained all gains, which we are consolidating. We have prisonered 5000, including 116 officers. Yesterday enemy . aircraft bombarded our rear, particularly a prisoners’ collecting camp. .A great number of prisoners -were hit. Our aircraft bombed a number of railway stations and dumps, with important results. We “downed” 21 German machines THE GERMAN REPORT. LONDON, August 21. Wireless German official; —Artillery preparation for the Verdun thrust began on the 11th inst. Despite superiority in material and the reckless use of men, the French, on the first day of the battle, failed to break our force. 'Apart from local success, the attack on a twenty kilometres front failed. Densely packed waves in many places penetrated our. defences, but bitter hand-to-hand fighting and powerful counter-attacks drove back the enemy almost everywhere. After a struggle which lasted all day the French retained Morthomme Height and the southern fringe of Ravenwood. A fresh engagement developed this bigWe lost five aeroplanes and downed twenty-five. ENEMY LOSE HEAVILY. LONDON, 21. French communique.—The Germans attacked at three different points on the Corny plateau. Twice our fire broke their waves, which finally turned back. CANADIANS MEET GERMANS IN THE OPEN. LONDON, August 21. Router’s Headquarters ent says the Canadians around Lens launched another attack, converging on the western environments of the town at 4.30 this morning. Dawn broke in a thick haze. When the infantry went over the top they saw masses of shadowy grey figures advancing. The Gormans had planned an attack at the identical moment 'as ours. Probably one of the most desperate hand-tq-hand conflicts of the war ensued. An eyewitness says that the Germans fought like concerned rats during the struggle in shell-torn wire-encumbered no man’s land. Bomb and bayonet were the principal weapons. Gradually the Canadians beat back the Huns. Fifteen minutes after the clash the enemy were making their last stand .on the parapet of the trench. Then thej' retreated as rapidly as possible into the ruins of Lens. Almost immediately furious machine-gunning started. In the northern "part the Canadains attack made good progress, but in the centre and southern portions the Germans more fiercely resisted. SOME CANADIANS IN LENS. LONDON, August 22. Mr. Gibbs reports: The Canadians’ attack has tightened the line around Lens. Some are already within /the city, having penetrated at places in the vast, defensive system, but are not yet beyond the outlying houses. GERMANS AFRAID. AMSTERDAM, Aug| 22 The Germans are forcing civilians to prepare to evacuate Roulers, and are feverishly bringing up reinforcements.

BRITISH CAPTURE ENEMY POSITIONS. LONDON, August 22. Sir Douglas Haig reports: Early this morning avc attacked and captured the enemy’s position on a front of 2000 yards AvestAvard and uorth-AvestAvard of Lens. HeaA-y fighting continues. We repulsed strong counter-attacks north-westward of . Lens. Artillerybroke a third attack; southward. We captured a number of prisoners. We repulsed raiders north-eastAvard of Messiries. Our aeroplanes Aver successful, despite the enemy’s aggressiveness, and brought down ?line and drove dOAvn seven. Four jof ours are missing. ALL POSITIONS MAINTAINED. FURTHER GROUND : WON. Recei\ 7 cd 11.20^ LONDON, August 22. Sir Douglas Haig reports: We maintained the positions captured yesterday on the outskirts of Lens, and further progressed* at certain points. We secured additional ground northwest and north of Lens as the result of hea\ T y fighting, wherein avo repulsed strong counter-attacks. There is artillery activity north-east of Ypres. THE DOINGS Cr AMERICAN TROOPS. Recei\-ed 10.5. WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 Mr. Baker announces the State Department will issue regular communiques regarding the activities of the Americans in France.