ON THE BRITISH FRONT

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 169, 17 July 1916, Page 5

ON THE BRITISH FRONT

SURPRISE ATTACK ON THE FRENCH VILLAGES LOST AND RECAINED RUSSIAN SUCCESSES IN ARMENIA Satisfactory reports continue to come to hand from the British front, where continuous progress is being made, with even less losses than in the first stages of the offensive, owing to the thoroughness of the artillery preparation. The total penetration of the enemy's front is four miles, and in all ten thousand prisoners have been taken; The attack is developing most strongly on the north of the line to the eastward of Ovillers and m the Bazentin area. Here important gains have been made, strong positions being now in our hands, while the steady pressure exerted on the German line prevents adequate fortification of their rear. A surprise attack in a fog enabled the Germans to win back Maisonette and Biaches, but a counter-attack was quickly organised, and this won back the greater portion of the lost groundOn the Verdun front the artillery combat has continued without intermission, while local attacks organised by the French have, on the German admission, proved successful. The Germans on the Russian front are pinned to the defensive, and, while the Russians have made no further progress, they threaten the enemy's line both in the south and north. In the north the Germans fear that the Russians may make a breach in their line and overrun the whole of East Prussia. The Turkish counter-offensive in Armenia has broken down, and the Grand Duke Nicholas is making another of his lightning blows on the enemy, who has been thrown back for a considerable distance in the Erzeroum area.