IMPORTANT POSITIONS CAPTURED.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 April 1917, Page 5

IMPORTANT POSITIONS CAPTURED.

A FAMOUS TRENCH. London, April 25. Correspondents at British headquarters say that St. George's Day witnessed terrific fighting. Many of the troops wore rod and white favors in honor of the anniversary. The centres of the struggle were Oavrelle and Gemappe. Both were retaken, but finally were ours.

Gavrelle is important because ,it forms the southern end of the famous trench running south through Oppy. Until Gemappe was taken progress between Cojeul and Sensee was impossible.

German prisoners state that they had to win back the ground or retire behind the Droucourt-Queant line.

SURROUNDING LENS. BRITISH SEMI CIRCLE. Paris, April 24. The Petit'' Pariaien states that the British senii-cirele round Lens is now holding the majority of tho svburbs. The enemy has concentrated important forces eastward of Arras, as he is determined, at all costs, to bar the way to Douai.

FRENCH ADVANCE. POSITIONS IMPROVED. London, April 24. A French communique says:—Two German reconnaissances which endeavored to reach our lines in'the direction of Hancourt were repulsed with heavy losses;

There was a violent artillery struggle in the regions of Hurtbise, the Fouron Valley of the Garonne, minor actions enabling us to advance and improve our positions on the plateau on the Cliemin-des-Dames,- and in the direction of Juvincourt, where we carried ft German post successfully, We bombarded the enemy's lines of communication in Champagne.