TERRIFIC FIGHTING ON WESTERN FRONT.

North Otago Times, Volume CV, Issue 13927, 9 July 1917, Page 5

TERRIFIC FIGHTING ON WESTERN FRONT.

GERMANS ATTEMPT BIG OFFENSIVE AGAINST FRENCH, i i CRUSHING DEFEAT INFLICTED UPON CROWN PRINCE'S ARMY. . i (Australian and New Zealand Cable Associate) LONDON, July 6. The Daily Chronicle's correspondent at French Headquarters states that Tuesday's defeat of the Crown Prince's Army was the severest since the French offensive in April. The Germans attempted a grand operation on a twelve-mile front from Jouy to Craonne. The fact that they attacked in the evening indicates that they expected rapid success, because the artillery co-operation was handicapped and the guns could not assist in the prolonged.and changing battle. The French defended obstinately, and .quickly broke the shock of the assault. A hard hand-to-hand struggle followed all night, with most incredible tenacity. The recovery of every yard of lost ground, within twelve hours, under such conditions, was an unprecedented achievement. It is noteworthy that the Germans do not mention their tre-mendous-tragic offensive, but instead falsely claim great captures westward-of Cerny, where the French have not lost a single man. : i (Australian and Reuter), Received July 8, at 5.5 p.m. . • , ' . LONDON, July 7. A French communique reports: There is much active reciprocal artillery tiring in the Champagne, notably at Casque Teton, the j enem yattempts west of Cornillet and south-east of Tahitfe was I easily repulsed. The French artillery carried out a destructive fire against German organisations north and west of Hill 304. There is a'marked reerudeneence of artillery, activity' in .some sections. Operations in the Champagne have enabled ns to reduce to two small salients. The enemy four times unsuccessfully attempted to recapture .the.lost ground, and sustained, serious losses. The artillery struggle has continued to be the keenest on the left of the Mouse. GERMANS EXPECT BIG OPERATIONS NORTH ARRAS, SIGNIFICANT STATEMENT BY GERMAN WAR MINISTER, !'.'■ .' 'i ~,, ■".[.!■• ■■ .<■ ■ ("Th; : Times" Service.) • :;■'■■'> ■ Reeeh'cd July 8, at £5 p.m. AMSTERDAM, July 7. In the Reichstag, the War Minister said that the British'had presumably planned greater actions north of Arras. He asserted that the French were exhausted, (Australian tnd Reuter). Received July 8, at 5.5 p.m. LONDON, July 7. Sir Douglas Ilaig reports artillery activity astride the Scarpe, in the neighbourhood of Messines and Nieuport. The British'advanced .slightly their line eastward of Wytsehaete, and repulsed -a raid in the vicinity of Acheville. ■ GERMANS PREPARING.FOR POSSIBILITY OF FURTHER RETIREMENT. WILL INVADE HOLLAND AND OCCUPY THE SCHELDT.

(Australian and New Zealand Mile Association.) Received July 8, at 5.5 p.m. AMSTERDAM, July 7. A refuse from Osicid who has reached Holland says that German"bu'iccvs openly confess that the British are likely to force the Germans to quit the coast. Marshal von Hindenburg has already taken precautions to that end, and if compelled, is prepared to enter Holland and establish a naval base on the Scheldt. Ostend was, until recently, a veritable den of submarines, but as the result of British attacks, the naval workshops have been completely de- ' stroyed. Many Germans were killed, including eight inside the lighthouse. .