WESTERN FRONT.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 July 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

THE CAPTURES AT HAMEL. COUNTER-ATTACK REPULSED, SUCCESSFUL RAIDS FRENCH OPERATIONS.; Received July 7, 6.6 p.m. . London, July 5. Sir Douglas Haig reports: The total of prisoners taken in Thursday's successful operations on the Somme exceeds 1300. One field gun and 100 machine-guns have already been counted. The counter-attack on our new positions eastward of Hamel on the night of July 4 was easily repulsed. We successfully raided the BeaumontHamel sector, and repulsed an attempted raid in the neighborhood of St. Razeele. A French communique states: Our detachments and patrols operating between Montdidier, the Oise, Champagne, the right bank of the Meuse, and Lorraine each secured prisoners.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Reuter.

A COMPLETE VICTORY. FEEBLE GERMAN DEFENCE. AVIATORS AS DEADLY AS ARTILLERY. Received July 7, 5.5 p.m. London, July 6, Mr. Percival (Phillips describes Hamel as being as complete a victory as the Allies have ever won. The German resistance was feeble and spasmodic, being utterly unlike the organised opposition expected. Something like a panic seized the enemy. Large numbers of German dead were found to have been the victims of the preliminary air raid, which was as destructive as the artillery. British aviators dropped 300 large bombs, and, before the defenders could rally, the tanks were upon them. Majiy Germans ran away. One battalion surrendered with its staff.—Press Assoc.

OBSERVATION POINTS GAINED. BRITISH AIR SUPERIORITY. SURPRISE ATTACK BY FRENCH. FRESH GERMAN RESERVES. Received July 1, 5.6 p.m. London, July 5. It is authentically learned that the series of minor operations on the West front have been of considerable importance, inasmuch as we have gained improved observation points on the ground recaptured on the Somme, from which the enemy hitherto were able to direct an enfilading fire. During the past week the Allies took prisoner over 5000 of the enemy, and between June 27 and July 3 we accounted for 179 German aeroplanes, while 36 of curs are missing. We now possess a decided numerical air superiority. French operations on the Aisne-Oureq sector were interesting. They had to cross a ravine, down which the Germans had a habit of putting a barrage. Tho French made a surprise attack under General Mangin, and crossed the ravine before the enemy could put down a barrage.

The Allies have acquired important tactical positions where the line hitherto was most vulnerable, aiid have obtained valuable information regarding the enemy's plans and trench systems. Another feature is the great damage our air forces are doing to enemy factories, stores, aerodromes and dumps, greatly hampering his preparations.

The Americans at Vaire have displayed fighting qualities of the highest order. Their staff work is excellent. The Germans, after three weeks rest, now have very large fresh reserves available for the next move.—Au«. Cable Assoc.

THE TALLY OF PRISONERS. i IMPORTANT AERIAL WORK. j MORE RAIDS ON GERMAN TOWiNS. Received July 7, 6.5 p.m. London, July 5 Sir Douglas Haig reports that the number of prisoners captured during the operations on July 4 on the Somme and in subsequent German connter-attackß cxetets 1500, including 40 officers. Hostile artillerying is in progress at Scherpen'berg. Aeroplanes co-operated successfully during the attack on July 4, southward of the Somme, by heavily bombing the German positions throughout the previous night and machinegunning and bombing from a low altitude, enemy troops and transports during the actual operations. We destroyed eleven machines and drove down ten uncontrollable. Four British machines engaged in that area are missing All engaged on other parts of the front have returnedWe dropped 33% tons of bombs during Julv 4 and the night of July 4 and 5,' The Air Ministry reports that on the morning of July 5 aeroplanes heavily attacked the railway station at Coblenz successfully, and Saarbrucken, where too downed two enemy attacking machines Al! of ours returned.—Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assoc. and Reuter. GERMANS ADMIT REVERSE. Received July 7. 5.5 p.m. London, July 5Wireless German Official: —Southward of the Somme, the enemy penetrated the village and wood of Hamel. Our coun-ter-attacks frustrated an attack eastward of Hamel.—Aub,-N.Z. Cable AssocfUn*«u <*■• ' ' '"""'i, f ~ as®