WESTERN ATTACK.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 March 1917, Page 5

WESTERN ATTACK.

FURTHER FRENCH GAINS. AERIAL ACTIVITY. London, March 25. A French communique says: We progressed north of Grand Seraucourt towards St. Quentin. We advanced appreciably north of Ciiauny and on the east bank of the Ailette and consolidated our positions there and in the region north of Soissons. We seized portions of trenches east of Malancourt Wood, west of the Meuse. Yesterday's prisoners belonged to seven different regiments. There is great activity on both sides in aerial bombing. The Germans bombed Dunkirk and Calais, with small damage. RAPIDITY OF FRENCH ADVANCE. MISCALCULATED BY GERMANS, A COSTLY MISTAKE. CLEARING UP THE RUINATION. Received March 26, 5.5 p.m. London, March 25 Renter Service. The correspondent at French headquarters reports that the enemy apparently miscalculated the rapidity of the French pursuit, which has already cost & heavy loss and forced the Germans ,to turn at bay. Large masses of the enemy infantry are now engaged on th« wßjje front from St. Quentin to the Ailette, which he describes as an excellent commanding position from which an advance can be established. The British headquarters correspondent comments on the growing resistance of the Germans, and adds "that behind the recovered territory many thousands are toiling day and night, and are so restoring communications and clearing up the ruination left by the Germans. Especially speedy work is being carried out by the Royal Engineers, in .building bridges sufficient for the heaviest transport. A STUBBORN STRUGGLE. TRENCH SOLDIERS INFLAMED. i , BY SIGHT OF ENEMY DESTRUCTION Received March 26, 8.50 p.m. London, March 20. A French communique says: We continue the offensive from the Somme and Aisne. The struggle is stubborn, owing to the vigorous defence, but our soldiers', inflamed at the sight of the destruction wrought hy the enemy everywhere, drove back the Germans with heavy losses, also between the Somme and 'Oise beyond the important position of Cassres-Assigny-Le Grand and Hill 121. I

We broke a violent counter-attack on the Assigny-Benay front. South of the Oise, at various points, we penetrated the lower Coney forest, and reached the outskirts of Folembray and C'oncy-le-Chattan. , The Germans at Folembray weftcaught by our artillery and dispersed with great losses.

North of Soissons we inerensed our gains and repulsed counter-attacks. Artillerying is active at Craonne r.vi on the Verdun front.

BRITISH POSITION IMPROVED. NUMEROUS AIR FIGHTS. A, & N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter. Received March 20, 5.5 p.m. London, March 25. Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig reports: We improved our position west of Croixelles, and entered enemy trenches north-east of Loos. We ejected the raiders who'entered our trenches .west of Hullueh. There have been many air fights, eight German machines being downed. Four of ours are missing.

BARBAROUS DEVASTATION. AIMED TO RUIN FERTILITY. Reuter Service. Received March 20, 9.55 p.m. Paris, March 28. It is officially announced that France, is protesting to neutrals against Germany unjustifiably and barbarously devastating the evacuated territories, the aim being to ruin for many years one of the most fertile regions in France. Neutral Governments are requested to warn banks against dealing in the securities stolen by the Germans in the recaptured districts, as the Allies will not recognise the validity of the dealings. EFFECT OF HUN BRUTALITY. POPULATION STARVED TO DEATH. EVEN THE CULPRITS SICKENED. Received March 20, 5.5 p.m. Paris, March' 25. Three hundred women, children, and aged men died in consequence of the hardships, brutality, and starvation immediately preceding and during the German retreat. There were 150 victims at Chauncy alone. The destruction- of property in the large towns lasted for three weeks. Some of the Germans admitted the work sickened them, but that they were carrying out von Hindenburg's orders.

LIVELY ARTILLERY WORK. London, March 25. A French communique states:—There is little change nprth of Solssons, which German long-rango guns are bombnrd■ng Liiely artillery jln I* proceeding i'- StoU* m* k pur.