BRITISH ADVANCE AT B THUNE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 144, 17 June 1918, Page 5

BRITISH ADVANCE AT B THUNE

ENEMY POSITIONS GAINED.

ON TWO-MILE 'FRONT.

NEARLY 2000 PRISONERS TAKEN.

The High Gommissione rreports: — LONDON, June 15, 11.50 a.m. (British Official.) A British official report states that in the region of Bethune we gained the enemy positions on a front of two miles. All our objectives were attained, and we took 1916 prisoners. ENEMY POSITIONS CAPTURED.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Renter.)

LONDON, June 15.

Sir Douglas Haig reports: — We took 196 prisoners in a successful operation on the night of the 14th inst. north of Bethune. As a result of this attack we gained possession of enemy forward positions on a front of two miles, securing all the objectives. " In tie fighting reported on Saturday mornihg east of Nieppe Forest-, the enemy, by a local attack under a. heavy bombardtnent, succeeded in driving jn three of our advanced posts west of Vieuxberquin. There is active hostile artillery fire east of Arras, and also north of bethune. Wo drove down twoenemy aeripicines on Friday, The British lost t™o.

AERIAL OPERATIONS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and ißonter.)

LONDON, June 15.

Sir Douglas Haig reports: French patrols northward of Bailleul brought in a few prisoners during the night. . English and Scottish battalions took 60 prisoners in successful local operations 'northward of Bethune. Successful raids in the Villers Bretonneux sector yielded a few prisoners. We repulsed an attempted raid on a post m Avelny Wood. Local night fighting occurred eastward of Nieppe forest. Low clouds and poor visibility impeded air work on Thursday, but our machines took advantage of spells of clear weather and dropped nine tons of bombs on Zeebrugge, more on Armentieres and Comines stations, and also on targets in the French battle area. We'"destroyed-ten German aeroplanes and drove down two uncontrollable. The British lost five. . Heavy mists prevented night flying.

GERMAN COMMUNIQUE.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Associition ; and Renter.)

(Admiralty per Wireless Press.)

LONDON, June 15.

•A German official report says:—We repulsed Trench attacks between Voormezeele and Vierstraat, taking 150 prisoners. ■ i . ■