WESTERN ATTACK.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 August 1917, Page 5

WESTERN ATTACK.

THE FIGHT FOR LENS.

CANADIANS AND GERMANS MEET.

DEADLY COMBAT IN NO MAN'S LAND.

Ottawa, Aug. 21. The Canadians have launched a terrific oHack towan'i Leii3, and fierce hand-to-li-.id lighting i; proceeding. Received Aug. 22, 8 p.m. London, Aug. 21. Router's correspondent at hcadquar' ;rs cavs that the Canadians around Lens launched another atiaek, converging on the western environments of the town, at 4.30 in the uiorniug. Dawn broke with a thick haze. When the mfautry went over the top they saw masses of shadowy grey figures advancing. The Ocrnwri3 haS planned an attack at (he identical moment of ours! Probably one of the most desperate hand-to-hand conflicts cf the war ensued. An cye-witneßß sayß Uie C-ennang fought like cornered rats. The struggle took place in the shefl-torn, wireencumbered No Man's Land. • The bomb and the bayonet were the principal weapons. Gradually the Canadians beat back the Huns. Fifteen minutes after the clash the enemy were making their last stand on the parapet of their trench, and then retreated as rapidly as possible into the ruins of Lens.

Almost immediately furious machinegunning started from the northern part. The Canadian attack made good progress. The centre and southern portions 1 wtt more fiercely resisted.

Loudon, Aug. 21. The Admiralty air service reports that at midnight on Sunday they dropped many tons of bombs on the Middelkerke

TIGHTENING THE UNE.

CANADIANS PENETRATE THE CITY. Received Aug. 23, 12.65 a.m. London, Aug. 22, Mr. Philip Gibbs says the Canadians' attack has tightened" the line around Lens. Some of them are already within the city, having penetrated places in the vast defensive system, but are not yet beyond the outlying houses. EVACUATING ROULERS. ENEM.Y FEVERISHLY BRINGING UP REINFORCEMENTS, Received Aug. 23, 12*50 a.m. Amsterdam, Aug. 22. The Germans are forcing civilians to prepare to evacuate Kooleis, and aro feverishly bringing up reinforcements. ENEMY POSITIONS TAKEN. HEAVY FIGHTING CONTDTOBB.

ENEMY'S AERIAL ACTIVITY. Received Aug. 23, 1 a.m. London, Aug. 22. Sir Douglas Haig reports: In the early morning wo attacked and captured the eneiny'B positions on a front of two thousand yards westward and northwestward of Lens. Heavy fighting continues. Our artillery broke a third counterattack southward and we captured a number of prisoners. Wo repulsed raiders north-eastward of Messined. Our aeroplanes were successful, despite the enemy's aggressiveness. We brought down nine and drove down seven. Four of ours are missing. THE VERDUN THRUST. HOW THE GERMANS DESCRIBE IT. Received Aug. 22, 9 p.m. London, Aug. 21. A wircleffl German official report states: Artillery preparation for the Verdun thrust began at 11.8, and despite the superiority of material and recklessUse „t men, the French on the first day of the battle failed to break our force Apart from a local success, the attack or. a twenty kilometres front failed Ucn«e, packing waves in many places penetrated our defences, but bitter Jiand-to-hanc! fighting and powerful counterattacks drove back the enemy almost everywhere. After en all day long struggle the French retained the Mort Homme height and tho southern frin™ ot the Haven Wood. F resh <„, * ments developed this morning. We lost uve aeroplanes but downed 24

HEAVY ARTILLERY. EREXCH ESTABLISH ECCDSTESTABLE SUPERIORITY. Received Aug. 22, T0.30 pjn. ,. Pil ™, Aug. 21. the Germans discharged unprecedented quantity of gas clouds and gas sheik at \ erdun. U Journal's correspondent says we Lave estaWWhed an Wontcstebfo s* whole sector of eU&teen kiloaoires This is a new factor in toe Verdui. fighting. Marcei Hntm gays the s drev, , TOni their front Unet or tne.r or ces for the preparation of counter-atta,k6. Therefore tie four thousand prisoners can >be redded w enormous.

THE STRUGGLE FOR MORT HOMME. CAPTURED IN ONE DAY. GERMANS LATEST (DEVDiRY. Received Aug. 22", 10.55 ajn. London, Auj. 22. The Verdun first day's offensive more than fulfilled expectations. Dead Man (Mori Homme) Hill was the battle pivot, and its capture in a Bingle day, though tunnelled and strongly entrenched, contrasts with the enemy's 'prolonged effort at capture last summer. The German losses are believed to greatly exceed those of the French. The enemy's latest devilry is the socalled "mustard shell." which gives out corrosive and poisonous gas, attacking the eyes and lungs.

A BRILLIANT ATTACK. ■FRENCH MJ'RTEEP. GAINS. i Received Aug; 23, 1 a.m. Tondon, Aug. 22. A French communique says; There is somewhat great, reciprocal artillery activity in the region of the Vauxillon plateau, Cerny and Oraonne. Our destructive fire in the Champagne against ths German organisation in the St. Hilaire sector caused an explosion of gas reservoirs. Shortly afterward scouting parties found the eneraj trenches evacuated, but full of corpses. The Verdun front battle continues at several points, everywhere to our advantage. On fche left bant of the Meuse we captured and entirely occupy Goose Hill and HegneviHe village on the right bank. By a brililiantly conducted attack we conquered Samogneux and also an entire system of fortified trenches connecting the village with the organisation of Hill 344. We repulsed counter-attacks and have taken more prisoners, who have ;not yet been counted, FRENCH MAINTAIN CAINS. VKHJENT COUNTERATTACKS DiBFBATED. Received Aug. 22, 0.50 p.m. London, Aug. 21. A French communique says: The Germans attacked from three different points on the Oerny plateau. Twee our fire broke their waves, ' wlueh finally turned back after severe losses. The enemy fruitlessly counter-attack-ed with extreme violence north of Verdun, notably at Avocourt Wood and north of Caurieres Wood.

We maintain all our gains, ••witkft weK are consolidating. Wo took five thou- i sand prisoners, including one hundred and sixteen officers.

Yesterday enemy aircraft bonvbed our rear, particularly tho prisoners' collecting camp. A great number of prisoners wero hit.

Our aircraft bombed a number, of rail way stations and damps, with import ant results.

Wo downed twenly-one German machines. _ j FUTILE ENEMY EFFORTS. BBITISH SOLD ALL POSITIONS. t London, Aug. 21. Sir Douglas Haig reports: The enemy's third attempt to regain the ground recently lost south-east of Epehy was supported by ftammenworfers, but it wns I completely repulsed and all the positions tare held. We raided the enemy fines on a wide front on the St. Quentin«anal «ad secured prisoners. We improved our positions on the ifprea-Menin road.