THE WESTERN THEATRE.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15955, 17 July 1917, Page 7

THE WESTERN THEATRE.

THE BRITISH FRONT. SUCCESSFUL LOCAL OPERATIONS. (By Caßle—Preea Association.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.SJ. Cable Association.) CReutecr'e TelogTamfl.) LONDON, July 15. Sir Douglas Haig reporter— "Patrol encounters gave the British, an. advantage south-eastward of Havrincourt. "The British made successful raids near Bullecotirt, at Gavrelle and southward of Armentieres. "The British repulsed raiders northeastward of Armentieres. "There has been heavy reciprocal artillery fire. "In the air fighting fifteen German aeroplanes were brought down. Seven British machines are missing." GERMAN CLAIMS. SUCCESSES ON SEVERAL FRONTS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Associativa.) (Renter's Telegrams.) (Received July 16th, 9.15 p.m.) LONDON, July 15. A wireless German official message states: —: "There is violent artillery activity in the coast region, and between Boesinghe and Wytschaete, and near Ypres, Lens, and astride the Scarpe. "We repulsed English advances near Gavrelle, eastward of Croisellcs and near Bullecourfc. "Wo captured important positions on the Chemin. des Dames, south-east of Courtecon, on a front of 1500 metres to a depth of 300 metres. The enemy desperately resisted in a hand-to-hand fight. Wo held our objectives against three counter-attacks. "After four days' artillery preparation the French attacked, our positions from south of Nouroy to south-east of Moronvilliers. The assault was substantially repulsed. "The enemy penetrated our lines at a few places in the regions of Hochberg and Poheberg, whero fighting is proceeding.

"An enemy attack on Hill 304, and on tho left bank of the Mouse, reached our trenches, but collapsed. " THE RUSSIAN THEATRE. There is lively fighting in the regions of Dvina and Smorgon. We repulsed tho Russians southward of tho Dniester, above Kalusch." THE FRENCH LINES. VICTORY. IN CHAMPAGNE. STRONG GERMAN POSITIONS TAKEN. Tho High Commissioner reports: — LONDON, July 15 (3.5 p.m.). A French official message says : — In the Champagne sector, after a serious artillery preparation, we vigorously attacked yesterday evening the German positions on the slopes north-east of Mont Teton, and carried a frontago of 900 metres to a depth of 300 metres. | Tho trenches were -powerfully con-. structed by the enemy. Many counter- ! attacks by the enemy followed, all failing under our fire. The oaemy suffered, heavy joeses after hand-to-hand fighting. The positions captured were consolidated. PARIS. July 15. A communique reports fighting at Courcy. where a German attack was repulsed. There have been lively artillery actions at numerous points. "Our artillery caught and heavily punished concentrated enemy relief troops."

GAINS CONSOLIDATED. (Australian and X.Z. Cablo Asso.: attouj (Reutsr's Telegrams.) (Received Julv 16th. 11.50 p.m.) LONDON, July IG. A French communique states: — '•Tiic artillery struggle has slackened west of Corny. In the Champagne we organised the positions captured yesterday north of Mont Haut and Mont Teton.'' VIOLENT FIGHTING. EBB AND FLOW OF BATTLE. (Australian and Cable AssocaiiooJ (Keuter's Telegrams.) (Received Julv 16th, 10.15 p.m.) LONDON. July 15. A French communique states: "After several hours' drumfire the Germans yesterday evening heavily attacked our salient west of Cerny. A violent tight, with alternating advances and retreats, continued all night. "Despite large masses of enemy effectives, and an extensive uso of 'flainmenwerfer' (liquid fire-throwers), the enemy was unable to hold the trench into which ho penetrated, merely occupying some first line elements on afront of 500 vards."