HUGE GERMAN LOSSES

Nelson Evening Mail, 14 May 1917, Page 5

HUGE GERMAN LOSSES

" 300,000 SINCE 16th APRIL. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Rec. .Mav 14, 9.15 a.m.) • ( ' PARIS, May 13. . Moderate estimates put the German losses in killed, wounded, and prisoners in the present French offensive from 16th April to Ist May, as 200,000, which has- since been increased to 300,000. ENEMY ATTACKS OiN CRAONNE PLATEAU FAIL. (Rec. Mav 14, 12.30 p.m.) * LONDON, May 13. . A French communique says: Artillery and rifle fire broke violent enemy attacks on (Craonne Plateau, north of TMieims, in the region of Maispns.-de-Champagne, with heavy losses. ENEMY ATTACK AT.CER.NY FAILS (Australian and N.Z. Association.) and Reuter.) V - ■ LO'NDON, May 12. A French communique says: After a violent bombardment .in', the - region of Cerny-cii-Laonnais, the enemy attacked

on "both sides of the village, but -were shattered • by our-artillery- and machine guns.

The enemy gained "a footing in" 200 metres .of trenches west of the village, but were, immediately driven out.' Violent "cannonading continues on this front. We "brought down five enemy aeroplanes, and four others were seriously damaged. . Our batteries maintained' a destructive-" fire against German organisations and ■blew tip a munitions depot eastward of Juvinco.urt. On the,. 1 left bank of the Meuse the artillery duel continued violent all'. night. Detachments penetrated the" German line north of Bezonvaux and at various points in Alsac e . -jnd took prisoners. GERMAN REPORTS.. (Anstrfclmn and N.Z. Cab!*' Association.! *hd Renter* LONDON, May 12. A German official report says : ''There is an artillery battle on the ''Soisso'nsLaon road and on- both' sides of Craonn 6 I aloncr the Aisne-Marne Canal, in Cham- ! pagne, and. at some points in the Avgonne. We repulsed strong attacks bej tween Winterburg and the Berry-au-Bac —Corbeny road, and also at Prosne's. j W 7 e brought down 18 enemy" ,ae'ro.-V planes." _ . '. . - • "A German communique says: "The artillery 'battle continues on the Aisne i and in ''Champagne. We forced back the. French' at Bovelle Ridge near Cer'riy, after bitter hand-to-hat>d fighting. We maintained bur improved lines against the attack.. We repulsed attacks,against the hills eastward.of Berry-au-Bac. brought d-owri 15" enemy aeroplanes.'' -... A. GERMAN COMMUNIQUE.' ' (Rec.Mav 14. 1.35 p.m.) ' " LONDON, May 13. A German communique., says : . .Our Guards' the' French astride iCorbeny-Porit'avet road failed. The enemy Tost yesterday seventeen aeroplanes. :