FRENCH SUCCESSES IN THE VOSGES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2492, 19 June 1915, Page 5

FRENCH SUCCESSES IN THE VOSGES

MASTERS OF THE LA FECHT VALLEY GERMAN TORSION OP RECENT OPERATIONS The High Commissioner reports:— «T rtir ,« .... . , .■ ' London, June 17,1.40 p.m. In the Allies have made important progress on both banks of the Upper La Fecht, taking Braunkapf, with 300 prisoners and much material. "In the Vosges,, the French progressed oa Vmdered Pt™emselves masters of a line of heights dominating the Valley of the La, Fecht North Steinbruck and Metzeral to the south They gained ground between two branches of the La lecht and on the heights separating the Valley of the La I Fecht from the La Lauch." • ' , INTENSE FIGHTING NORTH OF ARRAS - ATTACK BY ELEVEN GERMAN DIVISIONS. (Rec. June 18, 10.15 p.m.) Official.—"The fighting northward of 'Arras is extremely 3l intense* 8 ' with numerous desperate infantry actions. A violent artillery duel is proceeding . "We have made important .progress, which has almost wholly been maintained, despite the enemy s furious counter-attacks. "We have captured several lines of trenches on both sides of the Air Nouletta-Souchez RoiM. The Germans still hold their ground at Buval-Bot- 1 torn, but.are now almost surrounded. "Wo have captured the Soiichez cemetery, and earned eround nn tv« slopes to the south-east, namely, on Hill 119. ' tne "We carried by assault southward of Neuville St. Vaast, the enemy's first Imo, using the bayonet and hand-grenades, under a violent' artillery fire Our infantry attacked with extreme vigour, effectively eupported by nearly 800 000 ! shells. ' Heavy Losses In the Fighting. "Wa met 'during Wednesday nighb violent and repeated oounter-attaoks. repulsed them along the whole front, and have evacuated only a small wood southward of Hill 119, owing to artillery fire. i "The Germans had eleven divisions engaged, and suffered high losses\ro experienced serious losses. We took prisoner upwards of 600, including 20 officers. b "Our air squadron effectively bombed the enemy reserves at Givench? and the La Volie wood, dispersing masses of troops in progress of formation Enemy's Defeat at Quenneuleres. "The enemy's grave defeat at Quennevieres is confirmed by the great num. ber of corpses in front of our trenches./ Incendiary shells have been dropped on Reims. "We have captured Altenhof, a suburb of Metzeral, and Steinbruck* wo continue to progress along both banks of the La Feflht. The Germans' sot fire to Metzeral. Wo have taken prisoner 500, including 10 officers and cat>tured three trench mortars, three machine-guns, and asphyxiating gas plant One of our aeroplanes-brought down a German machine in Alsace and the occupants were killed." 1 THE FIGHTING AT HOOGE AND FESTUBERT IRRESISTIBLE DASH OF THE BRITISH. , x - L „ London, Juno 18. Renter's correspondent writes: "In the British offensive at Hooge and Festubert, the men (lung l themselves forward with irresistible dash, and either sbot or bayonetted opposing Germans. After a lull of some hours the encaenment was resumed on June 16, and moro substantial progress was made at Hooge. ' ' j "A German counter-attack from north of Belleward Lalto to the town bridge eame under our firo, and retreated, leaving many dead. Our cisuiltiei wero light." - >" ' GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. (Press Association.)'. (Roe. June 18, 6.15 p.m.) . . . . London, Juno -7, A German official communique states: — "The English and French continued thoir attempts'to break our linos on Wednesday. "Wo recaptured the greater prut of Ihe trenches we lost north of Lake • Bellewarde. "Our Westnhalians and finxonn overpowered the English north of tho La Basses Canal after hand-to-hand lighting. "The French south of Sonclw. succeeded in penetrating our positions for a width of sis hundred yards, and obtained a foothold. Fighting is proceediii". "Their attacks elsewhere, which were repulsed with sanguinary losses, wiira oonducted with a great expenditures of ammunition and regardless of losw* and azain terminated in their defeat. ' "Tlm vfatoHev* SeWs) fi : §oi M'flnff Hie hfavsifs wid lujoeHurbablo eadurance of our troopa,' 1 -"