WESTERN ATTACK.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 April 1917, Page 5

WESTERN ATTACK.

BRITISH PROGRESS. AEROPLANE BOMBING RAIDS. Received April 0, 8.10 p.m. ' London, April !). Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig reports:—We considerably progressed on a front of 3000 yds north of Louvcrval. We entered the enemy's lines at a number of pointsi, including south-east of Ypres. Our aeroplanes carried out successful day ami night bomb.-ng raids, dropping largo quantities of explosives upon aerodromes, transports, and batteries in action. They destroyed three hangers anu trains. Received March ®, 11 p.m. Paris, April 8. A French communique states:— I There is violent mutual artillerying in certain sectors between the Somme and the Aisne and in the Champagne sector. The Germans continue their bombarding of Rheims. GERMANS PRESSED BACK. HINDENBURCt DISSATISFIED. Received April fl, 9.5 p.m. London, April 8. Advices from a German source state that Hinderiburg is gravely dissatisfied with the poor leadership of Prince Rupprecht and other generals. The line fixed as the limit of the retreat is already so seriously compromised that it is expected the Germans vVill have to fall back to another line not yet sufficiently fortified. The military critic of the Munchuer Abend Zeitung does not conceal his astonishment at the German retreat continuing beyond a point fixed by the general staff. FRENCH ACTIVITYENEMY TRENCHES WRECKED. London, April 8. French official:—There were intermittent artillerying and patrol encounters between the Somme and the Aisne. In the region of Lombart-zyde). our troops penetrated at two points of the enemy positions and found numerous German corpses in the trenches, which were wrecked by our fire. Enemy surprise attacks in the regions of Celles and Largitzen, in Alsace, were easily repulsed. ACTIVITY IN FIGHTING. THE GROUND DRYING. Received April 10, 12.35 a.m. London, April 9. A report from British headquarters states that the weather is improving, being sunny, and that the ground is quickly drying. The change is greatly increasing activity in fighting. Though the infantry have not yet been able to reach the main German forces, skirmishing between patrols and the rearguards continues. Apart from the fighting on the Ilindenburg line we are executing innumerable raids on the enemy trenches and bringing back prisoners. The casualties published at the weekend include 249 officers and 221G men. A TERRIFIC EXPLOSION. ENEMY RESERVE BLOWN UP. London, April 8. A correspondent on the Western front says one of the most terrific explosions of the war occurred on Wednesday near Arras. It is believed our guns exploded a great minewerfers reserve. PROMOTION OF FRENCH GENERALS Received April 9, 9.30 p.m. Pima, April 8. General Marchand- has been promoted to the General Division. General Foeh remains on active service, without command, and at the disposal of the War Cabinet.