FRENCH TAKE TRENCHES

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 148, 24 June 1915, Page 7

FRENCH TAKE TRENCHES

LONDON, 23rd June, 2.30 a.m. A report received on Tuesday says that after t>enty-four 'hours' heavy and continuous fighting a. substantial success , was achieved. On Monday morning General Gourand began an attack on a line of formidable works along Kereves Dere. By noon the second French division stormed and captured all the Turkish first and second lines of trenches opposite their front, including the "Haricot redoubt." On the right, the first French division, after fierce fighting, took the Turkish trenches opposite their front, but being heavily counterattacked, were forced to' fall back. The bombardment of the Turkish left was resumed, British artillery aiding the French artillery, as in the previous at' tack. In tile evening a fine attack was launched, six hundred yards of Turkish first-lino trenches being taken. The captured positions are being Vetaihed, despite heavy counter-attacks. The enemy lost very heavily. A Turkish battalion reinforcing was spotted by an aeroplane and practically wiped out. CAIRO, 23rd June. General Gourand's official report adds : The elan and contempt of danger of the young French drafts in the last contin* gent, averaging twenty years of age, was most admirable. During the fighting the battleship St. Louis rendered excellent service against the Asiatic shore batteries.