The Western Front.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 286, 12 May 1915, Page 5

The Western Front.

THE ANGLO-FRENCH 1 OFFENSIVE. STRONG THRUST AT LA BASSEE. Received May 11, 11.5 p.m. Paris, May 11, The Anglo-French offensive covers twenty-five miles. The advance of the French sector is more than at Neuve Chapelle. The German line protects a Taxable railway system and if it was pierced the Allies would threaten the German communications. The position is exceptionally strong, consisting of •lag and connected with a maze of barbed wire communication trenches.

NEW GERMAN OFFENSIVE. ' GREAT PREPARATIONS MADE. Received May 11, 11 p.m. Dunkirk, May 11. The Germans are preparing another •Offensive in the Ypres region and are -concentrating at Courtrai, Lille, and £oulers. Also heavy infantry reinforcements and a hundred new Krupp guns lave been massed at Ingellounster, from where they can be quickly moved dv railroad in almost any direction.

GREAT BRITISH ATTACK. STRONG ATTACK ON LA BASSEE. INFANTRY PRESS ONWARD. Received Hay 11, 11.5 p.m. London, May 11. A Daily News message from Dunkirk eays that a great British attack on La Bassee commenced at dawn on Saturday. Heavy artillery duels were fought at Bailleul, fifteen miles away, and lasted ieven hours. Fighting was resumed at three o'clock on Sunday 'morning and is still raging. .Under big guns our infantTy is pressing onward for a great thrust at the La Bassee stronghold. The French are supporting us with great vigor. POSITION NEAR YPRES. BRITISH LINE UNCHANGED. Received May 11, 6 p.m. London, May 10. Sir John French reports that despite the fenemy's repeated attacks last week our line east of Ypres is practically mndhanged. The enemy made five unsuccessful attacks on Sunday and thert. Were very heavy losses. Fightin von the First Army's front to-day was confined to the artillery.

FRENCH MAINTAIN GAINS. SPRISONERS AND GI'NR CAPiTPED. • ' Received May 11, 8-> p.m. Paris, May 10. Official. —Despite German counter-at-tacks, we maintained yesterday'* gains and enlarged them, jfcably between Carency and Sonchez. Our German prisoners exceed 3000. We also captured six guns nud lifty machine-guns. PROGRESS OF THE FRF.O M. London, May Id. The Frenrh Embassy in a communique says tliat the French Marine Fu-ilier* carried a strongly fortified farm eastward of St. Georges, The bombardment of Dunkirk has been resumed, two shells J>eing fired. Paris, May, 10. '£ communique states: There ivere three fresh German attacks nwlli'.vard of Lombartzvde, which were, repulsed. •We maintained all fie important way northward of Arras, reported >'.t last night's communique.