THE YPRES BATTLE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 196, 17 August 1917, Page 2

THE YPRES BATTLE.

FIGHTING ON SiX-MILE FRONT. •ENEMY CHUSHED LIKE FXIES. DESPERATE LOSSES AT LENS.. iEeceived 3.10 p.m.) LONDON. August IG. The United Press Association's correspondent telegraphs that the new British blow in the Ypntt region extends from Polygon Wood, east of Ypres, to the Anglo-Frcncli junction, a _ix miles front. The Frenrh attacked simultaneously, hrilliantly supporting Sir Douglas Haig's left. The French right has already crossed Steenbeek stream, and i* still advancing, while their left gained all its objectives. Prisoners are coming in. and the British advance continues. The Irish are performing wonder. I'lsterites righting >ide •by side with Southerners. Sir Douglas Hgig keeps Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria guessinj:. i-hifting like a master boxer in the ring. The enemy is desperately holding out in Lens, where heavy fighting occurred ell day. T!ie Canadians last night crushed the Herman! like flies, and sanguinarily repulsed ten counter-attacks by nine oVlock, when the enemy broke off his attempts to re-take the positions. The Fourth Prussian Guards division ■«vas practically annihilated as it marched into Lens, into which only a narrow neck leads across open country, which is swept by British artillery and machine guns. — lA. and X.Z. Cable.) The German newspapers are fully alive to the menace of the AVesteni front. Tlie latest comment indicates that they have been instructed to prepare the people for certain possibilities. "The "Kolnisehe Yolks Zeitung-' says "that the worst hardships and the heaviest hours are about to come." It warns the people to prepare for grave difficulties, and states that all hopes centre on Yon Hindenburg.