GREAT ARTILLERY BATTLE ON THE FRENCH FRONT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 135, 25 February 1918, Page 5

GREAT ARTILLERY BATTLE ON THE FRENCH FRONT

BUSY DAYS IN THE AIR

SPLENDID RESULTS ACHIEVED BY THE

BOMBING SQUADRONS

London, February. 22. A great artillery battle lias begun along the entire French front.—Auo,N.Z. Cable Assn.

FRENCH OFFICIAL REPORTS

London, February 22. A French official communique states: "There is fairly lively reciprocal artillery action 011 the whole front, especially in the regions of Pinon, Vauxaillon, Malmaison, Pontavert, Guydecourt, and Butte du Mesnil. Three German aeroplanes were brought down and two forced down in our lines seriously damaged."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Renter.

ON THE BRITISH FRONT

RAIDS AND ARTILLERY ACTIONS.

London, February 22. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "We repulsed raiders south of Armentieres. Our patrols elsewhere brought in a number of prisoners. The enemy artillery is active in the neighbourhood of St. Quentin. the Arras-Cambrai road., Lens, Armentieres, and Ypres. A break in the weather prevented flying except for artillery observation."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assu.-Reuter. . .. (Rec. February 2*l, 5.5 p.m.) „ , tt • „m, , '. London, February 23. oir iJouglas ilaig reports: The Scottish troops made a successful raid ,at Monchv-le-Preux. Hostile artillery firing continues, and is active in the neighbourhood of tho Arras-Cainbrai road, La Basseo, and Ypres. Our aeroplanes yesterday dropped bombs on the enemy's billets and railway sidings at Courtrai, Ledeghem, and Douai. AVe brought down nine hostile machines; three of ours are missing. Six hundred and seventy-eight bombs were dropped last night, three hundred on an aerodrome south-east of Lo Cateau, which was used by the enemy's night-fliers; nineteen direct hits were secured on the hangars. The remainder of tho bombs were dropped on the aerodromes at Ghent and Tournai."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. (Rec. February 25, 0.50 a.m.) London, February 24. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—"We repulsed enemy raids. The hostile artillery is active at various points, but bad weather prevents much fight-ing."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aesn.-Reuter. THE NEW BRITISH SECTOR. . London, February 22. The southern extremity of the British front is now opposite La Fere. The extension is nearly twelvo miles, and includes the whole of the St. Quentin salient. The extension economises the French man-power, liberating considerable forces for service elsewhere. The new sector hitherto has been a quiet part of the front, Nn Man's Land in some places being a thousand yards wide.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ATTEMPT ON THE BELGIAN FRONT. (Ree. February 24, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 22. A Belgian official communique states: "After a violent bombardment the enemy's detachments attacked our advanced posts in the region of Kleostermolen. The enemy failed to reach our lines."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.Ileuter. THE MUCH-DBCUSSED GERMAN OFFENSIVE AFFECTED BY THE NEW RUS SIAN CRISIS. (Rec. February 24, 5.5 p.m.) n, ~ London, February. 22. J.lie .Manchester Guardian" contends that the German advance in Russia must modify the enemy's offensive on the Western front, as it will absorb a large army, witn long lines of communication, exposed to guerrilla warfare. An attack on the Western front is still probable, but unless the Germans gain a remarkable initial success they will not attempt a formal breakthrough or keep up the attack month after month. Any attacks will be local and brief.—Reuter.

TURKS AND AUSTRIANS ON THE WESTERN FRONT

. London, Febniarv 22. !• lurkish and Austrian troops have arrived on the Western front.—United Service.

AUSTRIAN EMPEROR AT GERMAN HEADQUARTERS, (Ree. February 25, 0.50 a.m.)

T , . Berne, February 24. The Emperor Charles of Austria has arrived at German Headquarters, and conferred with the Kaiser, General von Hindenburg, General von Ludenaorff, and Count Hertling.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.