FRENCH OPERATIONS

Nelson Evening Mail, 17 November 1916, Page 5

FRENCH OPERATIONS

COUNTERATTACKS OX BOTH SIDES OF THE SOMME. j SMALL ENEMY GATNS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter.) PARIS, Nov. 16. ' A communique states that a furious 'battle continued all day on the Somme front. The enemy attempted a powerful effort with a great number of effectives north and south of the Somme simultaneously, but were baffled by the French resistance and only gained limited advantages at the cost of heavy losses. The attack north of the Somme was made after an intense bombardment on the front from Leshoenfs to' south of Bo ut chavesn es. The enemy gained a lodgment on the west and north edges of St. Pierre Vaast Wood. Everywhere else tlie attacks collapsed' under our machine gun and curtain fire. The Germans south of the Somme re"newed the attacks in the afternoon on the front A'blainconrt-Chaulnes Wood. Desperate fighting ended in the defeat of the Germans, who lost sanguinarily", and returned to their trenches, except inthe eastern part of the vilage of'Pressoir, where they made progress. There is all intermittent cannonade on tlie rest of tli2 front. NIGHT SHELLING BY THE ENEMY. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) and Reuter.) " ' (Rec. Nov. 17. 12.10 p.m.) " LONDON, Nov. 16. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—There was ' considei'able eneniy shelling during the ■ night north and south of the Ancre. ; KING'S CONGRATULATIONS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Renter.) (Rec. Nov. 17, 12.10 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 16. Tlie King in a message to Sir Douglas Hagi says:—"l heartily congratulate you on the great success of'iny gallant troops during the past three days "on ! the Anci-e: This further capture of 'first' ' line trenches in special difficulties and recent wet weather, redounds to the credit- of all ranks." t » Sir Douglas reply tendered his most grateful and respectful thanks. •"