WESTERN ATTACK.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 March 1917, Page 5

WESTERN ATTACK.

FURTHER BRITISH ADVANCE. RAIDERS DRIVEN OFFc A. & N.Z. Cable Association and Rcuter. Received March 28, S.jj p.m. London. March 17. Field Marshal Sir Douglas Halg reports:—Our cavalry drove the enemy out of Longavesnes, Lieramont, and Emancourt, which we occupy. A number were taken prisoners. The enemy's third attack northward of Beaumetz was temporarily successful. We recaptured tlie post and re-estab-lished our position. Our lire drove off a raiding party eastward of Ploegstreet. NORTH OF SOISSONS. FiGimw; r.s T the old-fashioxed way. Paris, March 27. The Germans seem to be making a stand in the Massif of St. flnbain, which an elaborately fortified redoubt stretching from the Disc, cast of Channy ! through the two forests of Coucy almost 'to the Aisne. It consists of high around intersected with deep ravines which are easily defensible. Its weakness is that it does not quite extend to c'lie Aisne. The French, therefore, are able to drive in from the south between the Massif and the hills. The French have gained a footing in the forest of Coucy at several points, and are strongly attacking Neuvilie. The fighting is being conducted in the woods without trenches, in the oldfashioned manner.

WORK NEAR ST. QUENTIN.

FRENCH OFFICIAL REPORT. London, March 27. ■ A French communique states:—Between the Somme and the Oise artillery dispersed enemy gatherings between Benay and Urvillers (just south of St. Quentin). South of the Oise we mads important progress in the lower Couoy Forest. We occupied Folembray and La Piueile, notwithstanding the difficulties of the terrain and vigorous enemy resistance. We also progressed north of Soi63ons, in the region ol Vregny. THE HINDENBURG POSITION. MASSIVE PROTECTIONS. Paris, March 27. The so-cailed Hindenburg position consists of a labyrinth' of concreted trenches connected by covered ways, and protected by seven or eight lines of barbed wire. IMPORTANT FRENCH PROCRESS.

SEVERAL VILLAGES CAPTURED. Received Mareh 28, 9.20 p.m. ' London, March 28. , A French communique states that be-1 twecn the Somme and the Oise violent J reciprocal artillerying took place on the ; front Roupy-Essigny-Benay, where our ] fire stopped dead several attempted at- j tacks south of the Oise. Following up our success we captured all the Lowe forest, and the Coucy villages of Petit Barisis, Vemeuil and Coucy la Ville. Our advanced elements at some points reached the western outskirts of the forest of Sigobain and the upper part of Coucy. Our losses in this region were slight. North of Soissons we made important progress north of Neuville-sur-Margival and north-east of Leuilly. AN ENORMOUS EXPLOSION. GERMAN DEPOT BLOWN UP. Reuter Service. Received March 28, 11.50 p.m. Amsterdam, Mareh 28. An enormous explosion heard at the frontier was due to the German depot at Charleroi being blown up. FRENCH CALL UP 1918 CLASS. Reuter Service Received March 2S, 11.45 p.m. Paris, March 28. The Chamber has authorised the calling up of the 1918 class after Easter, adopting the Senate's bill authorising the withdrawal of naturalists from exsubjects of enemy Powers. A BELGIAN RAID London, March 27. A wireless Belgian official message states that a Belgian detachment raided the German position near Steenstratt, inflicted losses, razed field works, and brought back prisoners. FURTHER BRITISH CAPTURES. London, March 27. The British have captured Equancourt and Longavesnes, east of the Bi-apmne-I'eronne line.