WESTERN ATTACK.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 August 1917, Page 5

WESTERN ATTACK.

ARTILLERY ACTIVITY. INTENSE RIVALRY OF DESTRUCTION. London, July 30. Mr. Philip Gibbs writes: There is unceasing guniire on bo-'lt sides, which ranges from the Flemish coast to southwards of Lens. The enemy artillery is (.hickly massed against the most vita! pectors of our front. He has brought up vast supplies of ammunition and is firing shells into Nieuport, Ypres, and Armen-tic-res, Hinging tiiein miles deep over the countryside, searching for our balLerics. The enemy's Jong-range guns arc firing at targets from twelve to twenty miles from their emplacements. The British return twice the number of shells and our aeroplanes drop bombs forty milts behind the enemy's front. It is a rivalry of destruction greater than anv former phase of the war. The infantry stands still on both sides under the artillery duel, except for fierce destructive raids hero and there. Paris, July 30. Th« Putit Journal says that the state of lighting activity in 'Flanders is daily assiiuiing greater proportions. The British artillery is hammering without intermission every portion of the enemy trenches.

ARTILLERY DUEL UNABATED.

THE ROAR HEARD NEAR LONDON. GERMAN'S EXPECT ASSAULTS.

GREAT AERIAL ACTIVITY, Australian Cable Association. Received July 31, 8.50 p.m. London, July 30. The artillery duel on the Flanders front is unabated in its fury. It is evident tho Germans are expecting coming assaults, though Sir Douglas Ilaig still maintains a most significant silence. The ftlmost continuous roar of artillery was heard on the outskirts of London. Our air squadrons aro everywhere seeking out German batteries, exploding ammunition dumps, bombing reinforcements, and attacking German air squadfons, which sometimes comprise thirty machines. Received July 31, 9 p.m. London, July 31. Sir Douglas Haig reports further raiding and aerial activity, particularly the last-named, until it was interrupted by a severe thunderstorm, wherein four British machines were lost and two others are missing. Six German machines were downed. SUCCESSFUL OPERATIONS. London, July 30. Naval airmen on Saturday night dropped several tons of bombs on Bruges, Thourout, Middelkerke, and Gliistelels, with good results. There were numerous explosions afterwards. The machines returned. Sir Douglas Hffig reports small patrol encounters near Bullccourt and AchevUlei. A GERMAN REPORT. London, July 30. A wireless German official report says: Tho artillery activity lias lessened in Flanders. The 'French attacked on the Chemin-des-Dames with at least three fresh divisions, on a nine-kilometre front, but failed. Attacks southwards of Allies failed. Ten aeroplanes were brought down.