ALLIES STILL PRESSING

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 158, 4 July 1916, Page 5

ALLIES STILL PRESSING

THREE MORE VILLAGES WON PRISONERS TOTAL OVER 10,000 FIERCE FIGHTING ROUND VERDUN Though the attack along the banks of the Somme is not now being pushed with the relentless fury that marked its first stages, the Allied commanders are still keeping up a steady pressure on the German line. They have firmly consolidated the ground won in the first rush, and have extended their holdings, particularly to the south of the river, where several villages have been attacked and captured. The British gains were less extensive than the French, owing to the fact that the Britishers had- more difficult country to operate in. Fierce counter-attacks were developed by the enemy, but all were successfully repulsed. The total capture of prisoners was over ten thousand, while the Allied losses were not out of proportion to the great gains secured. The general position is described as satisfactory. The operations further to the westward have overshadowed the campaign on the Verdun front, but the fierce struggle begun in February goes on with unabated violence. The Germans entered the fortified works at Damloup, but were immediately driven out again. The Thiaumont fortifications changed hands five times in the course of two days, and now remain in the hands of the French. There has been an unexpected development on the North Russian front, where, according to German reports, the Czar's forces are repeatedly attacking yon Hindenburg's forces. The Russians and their allies have long been anticipating an attack by yon Hindenburg as a counter to the offensive in the south, but apparently the delay in the thrust has induced the Russians to make a move on their own account. Possibly the attacks are merely local, intended to prevent the transfer of reinforcements to the south.