WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 5 July 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

ANOTHER FRENCH SUCCESS.

LONDON, July 4.

A French communique reports: Between the Oise and- the Aisne we. executed a local operation north of Mou-lin-Sous-Touvent. We captured the enemy position on a front three Kilometres and to a depth of 800 met-. ies at some points west of Chateau Thierry.

A hostile counter-attack in the region of "Vaux failed, also did attacks north-east of Mbnsel, in Upper Alsace.

French communique.— The total prisoners captured north of Moulin-Sous-Touvent has reached 475. Thirty machine guns were taken. A French communique states: Artillery fire has heen reciprocal in the Argoinne, in the region of Vanquois, and on the right hank of the Meuse. .; ON THE BRITISH FRONTLONDON. July 3. Sir Douglas l r Haig reports: | There is nothing to report* •'-' '•' " "a German success. ':" " '... ; ' T /"'.''•.. July 4. The ridgfi north-west of Alhert wa"s \so menacing to Albert - and . Avelny \ that the Germans determined ~ ! to" retake it at all costs. sucteeedefi in the fourth attempt since Sunday. . ~ ______ " f 'AMERICANS STAND FIRM. ■ LONDON, July 4. Eeuter's correspondent at the Affieriean Headquarters, states that the enemy on the morning of the 3rd counter attacked with massed groups of fresh storm troops against the Americans' new positions at Vaux and Bois de Leroche. The entire attack wat. broken by intense artillery firo and machine gun fire without the loss of a fobt of ground. Part of the ground is piled with enemy dead. Further attacks are anticipated.

THE HUN FIEND. MASSACRING WOUNDED AND PRISONERS. PARIS, July 3. '-* 3 A French army order asserts that the Germans are again resorting to killing wounded and prisoners. Evidence comes from escaped French prisoners in various part of the West front. When Athenay was captured, the enemy massacred prisoners, including several wounded French soldiers. Witnesses say they saw the Germans kill French prisoners with hayonets at Oligy. In another place, the Germans fixed bayonets and finished ofE all the French wounded. These Instances are of recent occurrence. BRITISH CAPTURE HAMEL. Received 10.15 a.m. LONDON, July 4. Sir Douglas Haig reports: We car-! Tied out a successful operation on the morning of the fourth between Villers Bretonneux and the Somme, and captured the village of Hamel. We advanced our line an average depth of two thousand yards. There is hostile artillery activity at Robercq and Sloanscappel sectors. American communique.—There !» ; fflgjse reciprocal artillerying northChateau Thierry. We repulsed a -raids in the Vosges. i

HAMEL CAPTURED BY AUSTRALIANS.

Received 11.15 a.m.

LONDON, July 4

The United Press states the Australians and others, supported by numerous tanks, captured Hamel and part of the ridge overlooking Amiens. Another operation on a twelve hundred yards front in Morlancouft region won a depth of four hundred yarcls.

BELGIUM'S WAR CONTRIBUTION

RAISED. Received 10,15 a.m. AMSTERDAM, July 4. Gc?many is raising Belgium's -war contribution $o sixty, million,.francs a month, equivalent, to 7.50 ..francs a head. ~.r ~,.; _.-..; -,'; .«j-. : ', : : '' : }'' ~ ,.','.';'• ON/THE LYS FRONT. rtil ■>a • •-. '•■■■ ■-•! •""' ~~~ ■' i'H j GERMANS .GETTING DEMORALISED. STRAIGHT TALK BY THEIR ; " : COMMANDERS. THE EFFECTS OF BRITISH RAIDS. Received 10.15 a.m. LONDON, July 4. The Morning Post's correspondent .on the British front states the Germans in the Lys area are so demoralised by repeated British raids that certain divisions are in disgrace. The hgher. command threatens severe punishment if .more, ground is-lost.'Prince Franz,.of Bavaria inspected the r.ien and talked .very-seriously .of the'' extraordinary state, of affairs, in..;the front line. He said the constant -British raids at night and. the,,.lpss ;of Germans are becoming a scandal. The Germans must strengthen their positions and make more use of their rifles. The Germans replied: j"lt is all very well to talk, but it is impossible to strengthen our defences, as the men are continually shot;" by the British, who have the observation posts.

. Sober observers estimate German casualties at eight hundred thousand since March 21.