GERMANS' SUPREME EFFORT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16266, 27 June 1916, Page 7

GERMANS' SUPREME EFFORT.

RUSSIANS HOLD BUKOVINA ANOTHER INVASION OF GREECE. DEDEAGATCH AGAIN BOMBARDED NEW ZEALANDERS RAID TRENCHES.

A French semi-official message ascribes the sudden renewal of the battle of Verdun to the desire of the Germans to foil the allies' plans, the approaching realisation of which threatens them. The French have recaptured some portions of trenches west of Thiaumont, have made progress at Fleury, and have repulsed a German attack south of Mort Homme. The German attack which gained Thiaumont work, directly north of Verdun, represents the enemy's supreme effort. He massed 27 men to each yard of front, with the object of taking Fleury village and the adjoining wood, and so attacking Sousville Fort in the froni and rear. Although the French yielded Thiaumont, they repulsed all attacks on Fleury. There has been unusual artillery activity on the British front. A party of picked New Zealanders made a successful raid on German trenches after effective artillery preparation. The casualties in the ranks were one man killed and five wounded. The Russians are in occupation of the whole of Bukovina. Tens of thousands of fugitives are pouring into Hungary. The Russians are advancing along the River Styr, where growing losses compelled an enemy retirement. The Germans are making obstinate attacks near Smorgon, 45 miles south* east of Vilna. The Russians, however, do not believe these represent an attempt to pierce their lines. The Italians have driven the Austrians back southward of Arsiero, 20 miles south-east of Trent. The Italian Commander-in>Chie]f states that the counter-offensive has been begun successfully. Fresh concentrations of Bulgarians are reported at Fiorina, a Greek town near the Servian frontier, 20 miles south of Monastir. The Bulgarian newspapers, fearing Roumania, demand the withdrawal of troops from Macedonia. The Unionist Federation of Roumania is organising public meetings in favour of intervention. An allied squadron again bombarded Dedeagatch and other Bulgarian towns'. The allies bare agreed to pay Greece an instalment of a loan in order to enable her to tide over urgent needs till the general elections are held.