FURTHER BRITISH ADVANCE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3112, 16 June 1917, Page 7

FURTHER BRITISH ADVANCE

ENEMY COMPELLED TO ABANDON SECTION OF FIRST LINE GROUND GAINED NEAR GAAPARD The High' Commissioner reports:Sir Douglas Haig reports: "Our further advance eastward of Messines, combined with pressure southward of the front of attack,, compelled the enemy to abandon an important section of his first-line defensive between the River Lys and St Tvon. We followed the enemy closely, and progressed considerably eastward of Ploegsteert Wood. We also gained ground in the neighbourhood of Gaapar . (By Telegraph—Prera Association-Copyright). London, June It. Important sections of the Ploegsteert front have been abandoned by the Ger-mans.—Aus.-N.55. Cable Assn. . [The Ploegsteert front is the sector between Messines and Armcntieres.] SUCCESSFUL OPERATIONS EASTWARD OF MONCHY-LE-PREUX ■*. * ALL OBJECTIVES GAINED. (Rec. June 15, 9.10 p.m.) The High Commissioner reports: ■ London, June 14, 11.20 p.m. British official.—"We carried out a successful operation this morning eastwards of Monchy-le-Preus. The hostilo positions were of considerable local importance. Infantry Hill, the possession of which lias been stubbornly contested by the enemy on .several occasions, was stormed \>y onr troops on a. front of quarters of a mile. The wholo objectives were gained, and we took 175 prisoners." GERMANS CLAIM TO HAVE REPULSED THE ATTACK. (Rec. June 15, 9.10 p.m.) ■ .. London, June 15. ■ A wireless "German official message says: "We repulsed a strong English attack eastward of ilonchy.'—Aus.-N.Z. Cab! Aessn.-Eeuter. BRITISH RAIDS NEAR. BULLECOURT AND HOOGE. London, Juno M. Sir Douglas Haig reports: Wo carried out raids north of Bullccourtandsouth of Hooge.—Aus.-N.Z-. Cable Assn. A GERMAN OFFICIAL -REPORT London, June Id. Adiuiraltv per Wireless Press—A German official report stales: "We exploded several mines eastward of Ypres, playing havoc with the English positions. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. _> ■ VALUE OF THE EXPLOSION IN MESSINES VICTORY MAGNIFICENT ARTILLERY WORK THE DECIDING-FACTOR. (Rec. June 15, 5.30 p.m.) ■ ■ London, June 14. The military authorities do'not stress tho valuoof the great explosion in the Messines victory. It played a useful part, but the success was entirely due . to the magnificent artillery work which rendered it possible, aidefc by hne aviation work Probably not many Germans were killed, by the explosion, as tho front lfne trenches are usually thinly held.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GERMAN WITHDRAWAL EXTENDING SOUTHWARDS ■ STRATEGIC POSITION FULL OF INTERESTING POSSIBILITIES. ■ (Rec. June 15, 5.30 p.m.) / London, June 14. Reuter's correspondent at "Headquarters states: "The effects of the victory at Messina continue to develop. The enemy withdrawal is extending southwards, and we now occupy the German front line trenches from Ploegsteert "tt cod and the bank of the River Lys, nearly midway to Armenliores. The German heavy sells are generally falling at an extremerange, indicating that tho enemy has withdrawn his big guns.as far as possible without placing them out of action. Our patrols are persistently harassing.the enemy,.and we are steadily bombarding his new positions. The country over which ho is low and marshy, but owiiffto the long drought our progress 'is not difficult. The strategic position is full of most interesting possibilities. , -Reuter. . GERMANS CLAIM TO HAVE REPULSED FRENCH ATTACK London, June U. ner Wireless Press—A German communique states: "We repulsed a Vauxaillon.-Aus:-N.Z. Cable- Assn.-Reuter. — i