The Western Front

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 317, 17 June 1915, Page 5

The Western Front

A GREAT BATTLE. FIGHTING NEAR THE COAST. FRENCH SUCCESS NEAR DIXMUDE. Received June Hi, 11.40 p.m. Rotterdam, .Inno 10. French forces, with numerous guns supporting, strongly attacked the German positions near Dixmude, and gained I some ground, notwithstanding a strong resistance by fresh German troops. A great battle is in progress between the coast and Steenstraate. The Germans have replaced the guns on the coast By bigger guns of the ne\vest pat- | terns. PROGRESS OF THE FRENCH. GERMANS FEEL THE HAMMERING. ENERGETIC ATTACKS EXPECTED. Times and Sydney Sun Services. Received J:uie lfi, U.lO p.m. London, .Tune 15. Paris'says the continued Fjench pressure north O? Arras, although resulting in slow progress, lias the valuable effect of attracting German reserves of men and artillery from different points, and it is believed the Germans are bringing up fresh troops from North I'eltrium. The French :tr.' daily capturing fresh portions of the defences arc.und Lens, and the continued successes are impressing the Germans. Numerous statements by German prisoners show how intolerable the repeated French hammerings at this point are becoming, and how deeply they feel the superiority of the French lighting power. Renewed energetic French attacks on an extended front arc expected with clearer weather. CANNONADE ON ENEMY TRENCHES. HEAVY GERMAN LOSSES. Received June I<s, 8.5 p.m. 4 Paris, June 10. Official: Our batteries heavily cannonaded the German trenches in the Lorette and Xcuvelle sectors. The enemy's attacks at Quennevieres were led by eight battalions. Prisoners state the losses were heavy. GERMANS ADMIT LOSSES. Received June 16, 5.55 p.m. Amsterdam, .Tune IG. •A German official report admits they have not yet recaptured the ground lost north-west of Soissons. A MONTH OF PROGRESS. THE FRENCH OFFENSIVE. Paris, June 15. Mucli importance is attached to the French offensive in Lorraine. The objective is supposed to lie Avricourt. In well-informed circles it is believed that General Joffre is testing the strength of the (h-nil an force« defending the outer works of Metz. A communique, after denying German reports of successes in the Jpouchez region, adds: have now, for over a month, north and south of Amis and between the Ois and the Aisne, continuously progressed. All our attacks have succeeded brilliantly. This is not guerilla warfare, as the German press states. Our attacks have extended over the front- of brigades and divisions, and resulted in th ■ killing of 2000 or 3001 Germans in a single day.''