WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 24 August 1917, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

HEAVY FIGHTING IN FLANDERS

BATTLE FOB LENS CONTINUES London, Ai'gust 22. The United Press Headquarters correspondent reports that heavy. Sighting continues about Lens and Ypres. The British at daybreak attacked positions between Langemarck and Frczcnborg. Thb battle is progressing. The Bavarians and Prussians are fighting desperately amongst the ruins of Lens. The Canadians, despite two violent counter-attacks in rapid succession, succeeded in establishing advanced outposts. The Canadians at one time wore fighting a way into Lens proper, the Germans pouring up from concrete cellars and mine shafts like ants from disturbed anthills. The Crown Prince threw in the Fifth Grenadiers, belonging to the First Prussian Guards’ Reserve Division. Portions of at leas? six divisons were concentrated against the Canadians, showing the importance the High Command attaches on Lens. FURTHER BRITISH ADVANCE. Received 11.42. LONDON, August 23. British official reporlf:—Successful operations were undertaken this morning east and northwest of Ypres We captured ! a series of strong pbints outside Ypres-Menin Road, after some bitter fighting, taking all points although the enemy is fighting desperately to retain command of the high ground. Our line has been vanced to a depth of five hundred yards on a front of one mile. Furffibr north the line was carried forward on a front, of 2h mixes, the greatest depth being our half a mile. \ IMPORTANT FRENCH CAPTURT AT VERDUN. Received 1.30. LONDON, August 23. The High Commissioner reports: French official: Total captures at Verdun are 7(540 prisoners including 7S(i officers (500 of" whom are wounded), 24 guns, and 200 machine guns; nine guns -were destroyed. STRONG GERMAN ATTACKS ALONG THE AISNE FRONT. LONDON, August 22 A French communique reports: The enemy fast night violently bombarded different points on our first line on the Aisne. The Germans made severe and strong attacks in this sector 'in the region of Mecejin farm, east of Braye, souh of La Bouville farm, and between Ailles and the Hurtebise Monument and on the Califoriiie Plateau. We entirely maintained our positions everywhere and took prisoners. We repulsed a v *°‘ lent counter ' attack last evening , between Hill 304 and Morthomme. A brilliant counter offensive drove out the enemy elements.. which gained a footing in our front 'line. GERMANS BOMB BRITISH HOSPITALS. DELIBERATELY DONE » Received 10.20 LONDON, August 23 Th e Germans are clearly pursuing the same policy regarding the hospitals behind the British lines as they have pursued behind the French front. They recently attacked three hospitals at night, evidently as deliberately, as the Germans attacked the hospitals in succession, though they had occupied the same positions for two years. Bombs dropped on the first hospital wounded their women nurses, the second killed the doctor and wounded three, the third killed nine German patients. HUNS’ LATEST HORROR . FRENCH HOSPITALS B'OMBED PARIS, August 22 Infuriated by their defeat at Verdun the Germans have committed a fresh and inexcusable crime. Their aeroplanes dropped incendiary bombs which set fwe to three French hospitals full of wounded. They fired volleys from their machine guns on the medical Corps rescuing the patients. The victims include three of the medical corps, seven v.cunded men ki”ed and thirty three injured. A Rod Cross nurse and a male nurse were also killed. There was no panic, and the wounded who unable to walk -were assisted by their comrades. Although the Red Crosses on the root's were plainly visible in the glare of the burning buildings the Germans returned and bombarded the hospitals a third time.

BRITISH RAIDS. Received 11.30. LONDON. August 23. Sir Douglas Haig reports: Our advanced lino jof Lens, repulsed attacks east of Langcmarck by machine gun fire. The enemy raided posts in the neighbourhood of Lombaertzyde. ,