WESTERN ATTACK.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 March 1917, Page 5

WESTERN ATTACK.

CAPTURES AND RAIDS. HEAVY LOSSES INFLICTED. ' A. & N.Z, Cable Association & Reuter. Received March 30, 5,'10 p.m. London, March 29 Field Marshal Sir DouglasJlSHaig reports: We captured the villages of Neuville and Boiivonval. Priding parties <le?ti;oyed dug-outs in the neighborhood of Arras, Ncuvillo St. Vaast and Neuve Chapelle, inflicting heavy losses. j A RENEWAL OF RETREAT. COUNTRY BEING LAID WASTE. ZEEBRUGGE, BRUGES, AND GHENT TO BE ABANDONED. Received March 30, S p.m. Paris, March 29. 'The Germans are burning villages miles behind the present lines, indicating a renewal of the retreat. Assisted by Belgian resources, the Germans are destroying the country in the vicinity of Zeebruggc, Bruges and Ghent, implying retirement, there also. , IN THE CONQUERED TERRITORY. MYSTERY OP MISSING BRITISHERS CLEARED UP. Received March 30, 8 p.m. London, March 29. Mr. Beach Thomas writes: The evacuated territory teems with marvels and numerous clockwork mines, set- to blow up at different dates. Colossal dugouts, concreted, form underground towns and hamlets. Restoration work is pathetically clearing up the mystery of many missing Britishers. Former residents are seeking their buried treasure near their vanished houses. One recovered seventy thousand francs. ENEMY SURPRISED. ARMORED CARS CAPTURE VILLAGE New York, March 20. Mr. William Simms, the United Press correspondent in France, says the British captured the village of Boyelles (\yest of Croiselles), 'by means of armored cars supported by cavalry. The Germans laid a trap for what they supposed to be a reconnoitring party, but the British advanced in strength and surprised the enemy, some of whom surrendered.

MORE VILLAGES TAKEN. FRENCH SUCCESSES. ■LOST TRENCHES REGAINED. London, March 29. Sir Douglas Haig reports that the cavalry captured the villages of Villers, Faucon and Saubcourt. We' drove off an attack at Equancourt with considerable German losses'. We established .ourselves at two points on the DoignosLagnicouvt road after a short fight, and progressed southward and westward of Croixelles.

A French "communique says: Between tlie Somme and tlie Oise there was great artillery work on both' sides, especially on the Essigny-Benay front. Our fire dispersed working parties south of St. QuL'iitin.

In the Champagne, after violent bombardment west of Maison-de-Cham-pagne, the Germans strongly attacked and gained a footing in some of our first-line elements. Our fire smashed all attempts on Maison-dc-Champagnfc witlv sanguinary enemy losses. ! On the left of the Meuse we brought [ effective and destructive fire to bear j on enemy organisations on Hill 304, in the Mort Homme sector.

A later French communique says: There is no change from the Somme to the Aißne. We are everywhere in contact with the enemy. We captured, south of the Oise, important ammunition and other depots.

We recaptured the lost trenches the enemy was holding in sectors of Avocourt Wood and Hill 304 on the left bank of the Meuse. • - -

DUNKIRK BOMBED. London, March 20. German torpedo boats fired sixty shells on Dunkirk at 2 a.m. on March 26. Two persons were killed.