THE UNDERDOG GERMANS

Taranaki Daily News, 3 July 1917, Page 5

THE UNDERDOG GERMANS

BEING SYSTEMATICALLY PUSHED \ BACK. London, July 1. Reuter's special correspondent at British headquarters says that up to Thursday evening we were systematically wishing the Germans in a north-easter-ly direction. The double operations which developed on Thursday evening, although distinct in their phizes, v>re part of the same tactical scheme. The enemy's defences of Lens tended to weaken his resisting powers on. the Souchez, so the occasion was taken to strike a Wow, with satisfactory results We made* a substantial gain of territory round the Lens salient at the cost of light casualties. With some exceptions the enemy is i not fighting well. He knows lit is go-1 ing backward and, whether he is told that it is in accordance with a plan or that he realises he is being beaten back, the result must equally be to produce an under-dog feeling. More than once the occupants of trenches and posts bolted at the approach of our men. BRITISH PROGRESS CONTINUED London, July 1. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—Following yesterday's success southward of Lens we attacked last night on the north tank of tho Souchez and captured the enemy's defences on a half-mile "front south-west of the town. We made a successful raid last night northeast of iipehy. GERMANS FESAR ANNIHILATION. An. ierdam, July 1. Ghent is full of people evacuated from Ostend, Courtrai, and Menin. The refugees state that the Germans have abandoned the coast and are retiring as far as Ostend. fearing annihilation under the British bombardment, which has wrought havoc in many towns. A German from Zeebrugge declares that nearly 40 torpedo boats and submarines have been lost in recent actions with British naval forces. BRITISH CAPTURES IN JUNE. A. and N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter. Received July 2, 7.15 p.m. London, July 1. Field-Marshal Sir Douglau Haig reports: There bas been considerable ; enemy artitlerying in the Scarpe valley, in the neighborhood of Lens. During June we captured SBS6 Germans, including 175 officers, 07 guns, including two heavies, 102 trench mortars, 345 machine-guns, and great quantities of other material. GERMANS SHELL DUNKIRK. Received July 2, 7.15 p.m. Paris, July 1. • German long-range guns fired 48 shells on Dunkirk, killing a few civilians.