HEAVY FIGHTING ON THE MEUSE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2989, 29 January 1917, Page 5

HEAVY FIGHTING ON THE MEUSE

i GERMAN ATTACK AT FOUR POINTS SEVERE LOSSES INFLICTED BY THE FRENCH (Reo. January; 28, SS p.m.) London, January 26. A French" official communique states:—'The Germans last; evening attacked afc four points, from the Avocourt Wood to the east of Morthqmme. Our fire drove them hack, only 6<raie parties of the enemy succeeding in penetrating an advanced trenched sector at Hill 804. The enemy suffered very heavy "Seven, of the enemy's aeroplanes were brought down. Our air squadrons heavily hombod several railway stations, and also the enemy's hutments and military establishments. They caused a great 'firo at the railway station at Brieulle'."-Aus.-N,Z. Cable Asan.-Reuter.

LATER DETAILS London January 27. : "Fresh reports show that the enemy's attack on the left hank of the Meuse yesterday was a. particularly violent one. Several German regiments participated in'the hand-to-hand fighting which followed at some poults. "We counter-attacked this morning, and retook, in the region of Hill 304, the greater portion of the trench elements the enemy had penetrated. There is a fairly lively artillery struggle on the right bank ofi the llciise m the region, of Bezonvaux, Louvjoy, and tho Wocvro sectors at Rcgmvelle and Veho "—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Renter. /

(Reu. January 28, 11.15 p.m.)

London, January '£!■ 'A French official communique states: "We destructively bombarded tho German works on a sector of Hill 304. Five of tho enemy's aeroplanes were brought down, the captures including Lieutenant Guynemer's thirtieth. Two of our aeroplanes bombed the railway station and military workshops at Ham, causing a- fire and a big explosion."—Ans.-N.Z. Cable Assn. I '. —

GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE,

(Rec. January 28, 5.5 p.m.)

London, January 26,

A German official wireless report, states:—"The Wcstphalians and Badeners stormed the enemy's trenches at Hill 304, on a mile of the front on the west bank of the Meuse. inflicting sanguinary, losses. The French, at night, counter-attacked, hut failed."

(Rcc. January 28,11.15 p.m.)

London, January 2/. 'A German official message states: "We hroke a further attack against our positions at Hill 304. with sanpiinary losses."

ON THE BRITISH FRONT

SUCCESSFUL.TRENCH RAIDS. (Reo. January 28, 5.5 p.m.) London, January 2G. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—"We carried out raids eastward of Loos and north-eastward of Vermelles, taking prisoners. A number of the_ duf-outs were destroyed, and the Germans sustained man.y casualties. Wo bombarded the enemy's positions northward of the Somme with good results. "Our aeroplanes successfully bombed a number of places bohincTffio lines. Five German machines were destroyed, and five were driven down in a damaged condition. One of our machines is missing."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. (Rec. January 28, 11.15 p.m.) London, January 27. Sir Douglas Haig reports a successful operation this morning in _ the neighbourhood of Lo Transloy. "The whole of our objectives were gained, thus commanding a portion of the enemy's position. We captured and took prisoner 350 of the euemy. We drove back with heavy losses vigorous count-er-attacks. Our casualties were very slight. "We raided positions north-east of Neuville St. Vaasfc. Wo took prisoners and destroyed enemy dug-outs. We suffered no casualties. Our patrols entered tho enemy's trenches and inflicted casualties north-east of Vermelles. We bombarded his positions in tho neighbourhood of Serre,_ greatly damaging his defences, while north-east of Arras we dispersed -working parties. Our fire northwards of Hulluch caught tho enemy's infantry, inflicting many casu-alties."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

UNUSUAL BURST OF ACTIVITY

DOES IT HERALD ANOTHER BIG MOVE?

(Rec. January 28, 5.5 p.m.)

Paris, January 27.The renewed activity on both sides on the Western front during the present clear, frosty weather seems to indicate a fresh stage towards a big offensive. The French sector is becoming as lively as the British. It is natural to expect that the raiding attacks will he increased in vigour. 'Already there has been great aerial activity and intensified bombardments. The offensive may not come immediately, but everything should be ready in a. month or two."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

SWISS FRONTIER ON GERMAN SIDE CLOSED

(Kce. January 28, 5.5 p.m.')

Berne, January 26. The Swiss frontier contiguous to Germany has been rigorously closed.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.