WESTERN ATTACK.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 June 1917, Page 5

WESTERN ATTACK.

THE ADVANCE ON LENS. | . GERMAN POSITION CRITICAL, BRITISH HOLD THREE SIDES. j London, June 28. A headquarters correspondent states that the Canadians occupied Eleu-dit-Leauvette, on the southern edge of Lens, their patrols , dvancing beyond. The Germans blew up the 'bridge over the Souchez river leading to the city. Canadian patrols entered- the outskirts of Avion and are Hearing Mericourt. The troops pushing towards Lens, astride the Arras-Lens railway, captured a portion of the Avion-Mericourb switch line with light losses. Tlie Prussians holding the dugouts refused to surrender and were completely bombed out. The Germans are resisting stubbornly in the coal mines between the forks of the, Arras-Lens and Dro-court-Lens railways, but the situation is well in hand. The British are touching Lens on three sides and tho enemy is reduced to fighting from the ruins pf the burned city. The trenches outside are in our hands and the German position is critical. THE BRITISH FRONT. CONSIDERABLE I®OGRESS AT SOUCHEZ. A. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Reuter. Received June 29, 9.50 p.m. London, June 29. Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig reports: We have made considerable further progress southward of the Souchez river. Our line in this area was again advanced. on a front of two miles, reaching the outskirts of Avigron. Seven enemy aeroplanes were brought down. Four of ours are missing. ARTILLERY ACTIVITY. MORE SHELLS ON B,HELMS. A. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Reuter. Received Juno 29, 11.50 p.m. London, June 29. A French communique states: There are intermittent enemy bombardments at various points, which are vigorously countered, particularly on the left of the Meuse. Twelve hundred shells have been thrown on Rheims. Eight fell oit the Cathedral. ENEMY ATTACKS REPULSED. London, June 28. Sir Douglas Haig reports: The enemy heavily bombarded Fontame-les-Croi- j selles. We repulsed attacks southward of the Cotjeul river. German raiders entered our trenches eastward of Vermelles -but were immediately ejected. REPRISALS ON OISTEND. London, June 28. A wireless German official report says: In retaliation for the Ibombardment of Dunkirk the enemy bombarded Ostend. No military damage was done. Our artillery greatly damaged the English trenches on the coast. ARTILLERY ACTIVITY 'ON 'FRENCH FRONT. London, June 28. A French communique says: The artillery struggle is particularly active at •Hurtebise and Mont Cornillet. A German attempt in the Watt/weller salient, north-east of Thaw, failed.