WESTERN FRONT.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 July 1918, Page 4

WESTERN FRONT.

A FRENCH ATTACK, DRIVES ENEMY FROM IMPORTANT POINTS. OVER 1000 IPEIioiERS TAKEN. Received June-30, 6.5 pan.

London, June 29. A .Branch communique states: South of -the Aisne we attacked in the morning from south, of Amblenv to east of Mont Gobert, the object being to drive the enemy from his fortified positions. We penetrated the enemy's organisations on a front of seven kilometres and carried two trendies along Laversine heights, north-west of Cutry, carrying our line to the western outskirts of St. PierreAigle and the crest soutto thereof. Our advance attained a maximum depth of two kilometres and 1060 prisoners have been counted.

During the 26th and 27th' twenty German aeroplanes and four balloons were brought down, and fifty-eight bombs were dropped on aerodromes in the regions of the Somme and Aisne, cantonments and bivouacs at Rozieres-en-S&nterre, Freanes, and Duignicourt, the Tail way stations at Soissons, Ferrent, and Ardenois. Two ammunition dumps were blown up. Several fires were observed. Aus. N.Z. Gable Assoc. and Reuter.

Renter's correspondent at French headquarters states that the French made am advance on the morning of the 28th between the Aisne and Villers Cotterets forest, along the valley separating Montigny and Domnieres plateau, on a front of 4J miles, the objective being to capture a number of points which might be useful to the enemy in the event of a new offensive, chiefly Fossenbas, in a valley 2} miles south of the Aisne, and Cutry, two miles further south. Below the crest of ike eastern wall of the valley the infantry advanced at 5 in the morning, and attained most of their objectives in 1% honrs, including Hill 162, 500 feet high, overlooking St Pieire-Aigle and Domniers. The German artillery was dominated by j oar guns ,

Paris, June 29. Semi-official: A successful French attack enabled us to strengthen our defence against a hostile attempt to but. round the forest of Tillers Cottereta towards Compiegne from the north, by pushing hack the line one kilometre. East of Nieppe forest the British advance will have an important result, preventing any attempt at German infiltration, Received June 30, 5.5 pjn. London, June 29. A French communique states: Northwest of Montdidier we slightly advanced our positions in Seneca wood, taking a few prisoners. A local operation south of Damhand resulted in some prisoners being taken.—Aus. N.Z, Cable Asaoe. and Beater.

A VALUABLE POINT. - GAINED BY THE BRITISH. Received -June 30, 5.5 pjn. London, June 29. Renter's correspondent at British headquarters, writing on Hie evening of the 28th, says: We successfully advanced in the morning nearly a mile, capturing the ground at Do Batablest point on the entire front, just wq#t of i Bois IXavai, which forms the northwest angle of Nieppe forest. This point was lost in the Flanders offensive, at which the enemy thrust his (hardest in order to bring off a flanking attack on the high ground east of Kemmel. His possession of the forest would open the way to an advance on Hazebrouck, entailing a possible retirement from Ypres and the dismemberment of our forces holding the hilly country between Cassel and Achepenberg. The enemy's former attempts in that direction, though' frustrated, rendered our position cramping for future operations. This morning's advance was designed therefore to enlarge our holding. The attack was launched at 6 o'clock on a front of 8000 yards, from Vieus Berquin on the left to (Pontournant on our right. Our objective was the line of a small stream named Platebique, 1500 yards away, which was attained completely without hitch or contretemps. The Lancashire and Yorkshire troops were engaged, and also regiments from the southern counties. The enemy made a fight, but never looked to have a dance of winning. His losses must have ibeen considerable.—Reuter.

CAIN MILE.

' ON A 3J.MHE- FRONT. Received June 30, 6£ pjn. London, Junq29. Sir Douglas Haig reports; BfagHai troopa carried out a successful operation on a SJ-mlie front eastwan of Nieppe forest, and advanced our lim to an average depth of nearly a nrflei We prisonered over 300 and took 2! machine-guns. All our objective# wer« gained, namely, the hamlets of L© JPinette, Verfcerue, and La Bewjue. We«urprised the enemy. Our casualties »wers light.

The Australians attacked and captured posts westwards of Marris, and prisonered 48 and captured six machineguns.

Our aeroplanes did' a full day's worli on the 27th. Some increase is hostile activity is evident and more air fighting We destroyed '2o' aeroplanes and drove down nine uncontrollable. Fourteen British are missing. ; We vigorously bombed the enemy behind the lines, dropping 21 tons of bombs on railway junctions and other targets. American official: We again improved our positions southward of Toroy. The prisoners taken in the operation of the 25th are now 300.

We prisonered over 400 as a result of Friday's successful operation east of Nieppe forest. This does not include those prisonered west of Merris. Two field guns and a number of machineguns and trench mortars wgre captsrsd. Active hostile artillery is going on opposite Vaire wood, sotrtfli of the Sonane and west of Reuchy, also increased reciprocal artillerying on the Nieppe for* est sectors.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. (uu l Reuter.

Received June 29, 6.40 pan. Vancouver, Jtme 2ft

A London message states that ttto British have advanced a mile south of Bailleul, from the east angle of the' Nieppe forest.—Reuter. ,

THE ALLIES' AGGRESSIVENESS.

NOT WAITING THE (WERMAyr (mwmjt.

.BRTUSH -OVERWHELM THE JKHEMT Received June 30, &$ JMB. London, Jn*» SB. The French success in captarlsg 4 thousand prisoners aonthwwd of Ambleny, coupled with the British advance and prisonering of 300 «$ Merville, and the Australian capture of points with 43 prisoners westward of Merris, indicates that the Allies are not waiting the German offensive passively. ■ Mr. Philip Gibbs writes that the sud- t den British; attack east of Nieppa forest * utterly surprised the two division* of

Saxons and Prussians. Th» English battalions advanced after a short and violent bombardment. There w« Utile fighting and the Germans were qpkHy overwhelmed. They were an unhappy crowd, including many new drafts, who must have been the temping* of lite German depots. They we mostly undersized fellows, not fit for the front line. They were probably there in order to hold the line only until the fresh storm troops arrived for the new offensive. The prisoners' spirits are low because of the general misery .of their surroundings, being fiat and shelterless country. They also were suffering from an epidemic of influenza, which is (Seriously affecting their strength. Both divisions speak gloomily and express Baron von Kuhlmann's decision that a military decision win not bring peace.-* Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Rented

AERIAL ACTIVITY. SEVERE FIGHTING. Received June 30, 5£ pjn, London, June 20. The Air Ministry reports that a«r> planes on the afternooo of tho 28t! dropped three tons of bombs on tW railway workshops, stations, and sidings at Thionville. Hits were observed on the workshops and railway line. Hostile aeroplanes attacked our formations. Severe fighting ensued, in which thxee hostile aeroplanes •mn ikot down and another driven down. Two Of ours have not returned, on® being forced to land owing to engine trouble. We successfully attacked as aerodrome at Bolchen on the night of the 27th. Bombs were released at a tow altitude. The machine-guns find on the hangars. All' returned. The enemy bombed one of <mr hangars, with no material damage.—Aus. N.Z. Cable 4aM* and Heutef.

A HUGE OFFENSIVE. W sow ramus BY THE sysMiss. .n fceeaived June 30, 5.5 p.m. London, June 28. Thft Auttnditn Press Awoc. learns flat Germany is undoubtedly preparing te •* offensive on a huge ictk Alfhangh tliers ia bp present indication vfcan the main attack will be made toi is sobmi reason to believe they *iD tfrike on the British front in. the aactk. The enemy will do his utfeoet to aialead us In regard to the main afort by making subsidiary attacks at various points. We must be prepared for an attack: between Rfccinu and the Knm, where the enemy's object will !• to art the French amy in two. AlUou«k the disposal of the enemy's reaervea does not point to it yet, they sight there try a surprise attack.— Jm Asaoc. WHAT THE GERMANS SAY. XO REVERSE ADMITTED Received Jane 30, 11.25 p.m. London, Jane 29. Wtrslsei German official: Three British assaults against Merris broke down. The >nemy penetrated Vieux Berquin, but were thrown back by a counterattack. We repulsed the Traneh near Ambleny, bet they gained ground beyond Outry. Our counter-attacks threw them bade on the heights on both sides of Outry.—Aug and N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Banter. LIVELY FIGHTING. EENC3 MAINTAIN POSITIONS. ITALIANS REFULBE ENEMY. Received Jane 30, 11JS5 p.m. London, Jane 20. A French communique states that the Hermans twice attempted to drive us from the positions we captured yesterday. A counter-attack bv several battalions between Fosse en Bas and Ravin d« Outry was repulsed, and our new front was maintained in its entirety south-west of Bheims. Lively lighting occurred on the Monta Uend*—Bligny sector, where the Italians drove back detachments which had gained a footing in their advanced elements. —Am. and 111. Cable Assoc. and Reuti' ME AMERICAN LINE. EIGHT SECTORS TOD. Received Jane 30, 11 pjn. New York, June 29. The New York Times correspondent at the American front says the Americans ere now on eight sectors of the West front, including Montdidier, Toule, Lorraine, three points in Alsace, northwest and east or Chateau Thierry. Some sectors ore held exclusively by the Americans, and other- in conjunction with the Allies.—Press Association. ONLY AN ARTILLERY DUEL Received June 20,11.26 nan. London, Jane 29. Sir Douglas Haig reports that only the usual reciprocal artillerying has occurred.— Aus. and NZ Cable Assoc. and fteuter. GREAT OFFENSIVE AGAINST AMERICANS. Received June 30, 5.5 pm. Washington, Jua* 29. The New York Times' correspondent at the front leans that van Hindenharg has planned a great offensive sgaZaet the Americans. The main point will be a drive between Montdidier and Chateau Thierry The German plans provide for minor offensives In July, which will include an attempt to eapture Bheims The fact that fifty divistow wan sot mad in the last two drives is evidence that the enemy is preparing a saper-offnsive.—Press Assoc. GERMAN OFFICIAL. Received June )0, 8.5 p.m. London, June 29. WMisa Genua official! Ttere was lively Anglo-French activity astride of the 8o«ne, and great intensity in the enemy's to* astrida the Lys, between Baißanl aid Bethune and southward of the Aisne. We shot down 31 aero, plane*.—An. NX Cable Assoc. and