INTENSE ARTILLERY BATTLE ON BRITISH FRONT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3143, 28 July 1917, Page 7

INTENSE ARTILLERY BATTLE ON BRITISH FRONT

SUCCESSFUL DAYLIGHT RAIDS ON ENEMY TRENCHES GERMANS CANNOT MEET THEM London, Julv 25. British war correspondents state that the artillery battle has reached great intensity in certain sectors. The Germans are concentrating their tire about Lombaertzyde, Tpres, Zilleboke Lake, Armentieres, Ploegsteert. Neuvo Chape lie, and the suburbs of Lens. They aro using a large number ot long range highvelocity guns, the shells from which corn etimes fall twenty miles behind the ""I feature of tho recent fighting has been the occasional daring cr.ylight raids, which were often more successful and less costly than night ra:ds. A pnrtr of British troops entered the heavily-manned trenches at lpves in lull daylight, with little loss, and brought back over a hundred ihe curtain of firo produces such a smoke, dust, and confusion that tho Ucrmans do not know how- to meet tho attack. Troops of high quality are needed for such raids.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GUNFIRE INCREASING AT VARIOUS POINTS ENEMY PREPARING FOR DESPERATE FIGHTING. London, July 26. Mr. Philip Gibbs writes that the enemy's gunfire, is increasing at various points on our front. The coastal sector continues to rival Lens as a storm ventre for German shells. Tho infantry is everywhere inactive, except for unimportant British raids in the neighbourhood of Ypres. The Germans bombarded Nieuport from 10 in tho evening till 5 in the morning with every calibro gun up to !).2-in. The air vibrated all day and all night with tho heavy shock of this great shooting. The flame of war also broko out east of Monchy, where the Germans advanced upon our trenches, which had already been smashed by the cncentratcd artillery. The Germans attacked with (lammenwerfcr, which spread a line of scarlet fire before them. Some of our posts were driven in, causing a retirement oil a small front. 'Iho enemy is clearly preparing for desperate fighting, and has massed great Bumbcvs of men and .guns—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Afsu. FRENCH REGAIN POSITIONS AT CHEMIN-DES-DAMES CROWN PRINCE SUFFERS ANOTHER GREAT REVERSE. Paris, July 26. Mt. Warner Allen states that the oUccess ou the eastern extremity of the Chemin-des-Dames was only comparable (o the capturo of Fort Douaumont. The French have now regained tho whole of the first-line positions lost on Sunday. Not a single observation post remains in Gorman hands. Other correspondents state that the Crown Prince suffered another great, reverse. Within an hour he lost ground which had taken the finest German troops five days and nights of intense fighting to secure. The struggle oil the California Plateau was long and indecisive. The Germans clung desperately to its i.orthern slopes, until with splendid dash the French routed the German reinforcements. The attacks at Craonne were part of a deliberate attempt to wear down Fra.ucejbut the hour is coming when tho United States will take the field and securo the triumph of the cause for which Frenchmen have died.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FRENCH RECOVER MORE GROUND (liec. July 28, 0.5 a.m.) London, July 27. A French communique states: "Fighting, accompanied by an. intense bombardment ou the Hurtebise Plateau, south of Ailles, has continued all day. The enemy ha.s not made the slightest progress. AVe recovered ground at several points. Unsuccessful enemy attacks in the Champagne were followed by a. violent bombardment, and extended on the loft to Mont Blond, and on the right to the neighbourhood of Casque Teton. Our artillery vigorously replied, and prevented the infantry advancing. , Artillery i 6 most active on both banks of the Meuse.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. OBSTINATE ATTACKS ON FRENCH FRONT GERMANS MAKE TREMENDOUS EFFORT AND SUFFER GREAT LOSSES. London, July 26. A French communique states:—"The Germans resumed their attacks obstinately last night on a front of 3000 yards in the region from oast of Hurtebise Farm to south of La Bovelle Farm. Although they threw lnrge forces into action they wero only able to penetrate, after au incredible effort and the highest losses, some elements of our first line south of Ailles. Our fire smashed repeated assaults at Hurtebise Farm nnd further south. After an intense bombardment the Germans diligently attacked Mont Haul:, in the Champagne. The figlit lasted all night, but we prevented an enemy advance. There was lively lighting north of Auberville, where we entered the German trenches. A violent reciprocal artillerv action is in progress on the left bank of the Meuse."—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.-lßeuter. THE GERMAN REPORT. (Rec. July 27, 7.15 p.m.) London, July 26. A wireless German official report states-.—"The artillery Kittle is undiminished in intensity between tho const ami the Lys. English reconnoitring thrusts have continued," but wero unsuccessful. Our flame-throwers captured an important trench sector near Monchy. Tlii'ea enemy attempts to recapture it failed. Wo stormed the French position on a front of 1800 metres to a depth of 400 metres. Southward of Ailles we captured a. dominating ridge north-west of Hurtebise, and raided and captured ground at Souehberg. The French suffered sanguinary losses in counter-attacking theso places. Wo took prisoner 1050."— Aus.-N.Z. Cnble Assn.-Rcutcr. JOINT ALLIED OFFENSIVE ANTICIPATED / TO RELIEVE THE RUSSIANS. ' Washington, July 26. •Diplomatic advices Miticinate a sharp joint Allied counter-offensive to rcliove the Russians, bis believed thai, the Allied War Council in Paris is discussing tho question; and also whether the Greek Army cau assist in an often--sive.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.