FRANCE AND BELGIUM.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 17 June 1915, Page 5

FRANCE AND BELGIUM.

GERMAN TRFJSOCHES :HEAVTLY SHELLED.

ACTIVITY m FLANDERS

A GREAT BATTLE IN PROGRESS

SUPERIOR FRENCH FIGHTING

POWJER

GERMANS FEELING THE EFFECT

REPEATED HAMMERINGS BECOMLNG INTIMIEaMBLE.

PARIS, June 16

Official.—Our batteries heavily cannonaded the German trenches in the Lorette and Neuvilte sectors. The enemy's attacks at Quennevieres were led by eight battalions. Prisoners state the losses were heavy. AMSTERDAM, June 16. A German official report admits they have not yet recaptured the ground lost north-west of Soissons. ROTTERDAM, June 16. French forces, with 'numerous , guns •supporting, strongly attacked the German positions near Dixmude, and gained some ground, notwithstanding a strong resistance by fresh German troops. A great battle is in progress 'between the coast and Steenstraate. The Germans have replaced the guns on the coast by bigger guns of the newest patterns. LONDON, Jwe 16. Paris says the continued French pressure north of Arras, although resulting in slow progress, has the valuable effect of attracting German reserves of men and artillery from different points, and it is believed the; Germans are bringing up fresh troops; from North Belgium. The French are daily capturing freshportions of the defences around Lens,; and the continued successes are impressing the Germans. Numerous; statements by German prisoners show | how intolerable the repeated French hammerings at this point are becoming, and how deeply they feel the superiority of the French fighting power.

Renewed energetic French attacks on an extended front are expected with Clearer weather.