TERRIFIC FIGHTING ON WESTERN FRONT.

North Otago Times, Volume CV, Issue 13929, 11 July 1917, Page 6

TERRIFIC FIGHTING ON WESTERN FRONT.

WT I FRENCH STAND FIRM AGAINST HEAVY ATTACKS, v ' • [ WHY GENERAL NIVELLE WAS RETIRED. i•• 1 i (Australian nail New Zealand Cable Association.) ■ ■ LONDON, July!). A French communique says the artillery struggle lias been very keen in the Froidmont Farm district, whore we have occupied a trench element. There have been artillery aetions-at various points, especially towards Hurtebise and the Montliaut sector. A wireless Gorman official message says: We gained considerable'ground and took prisoners along the Clicmin des Dames' The High Comiiiissioiior reports:— LONDON) July 9 (10 p.m.)

"A French official report jjavs: Between Les Bovettes and Cliev-.. regny Spur our counter-attack ejected .the enemy after lively fighting from our front-line trenches, which'lie occupied yesterday over a front of 1500 metres, We are now toasters of the largest part-of the advantage the enemy obtained yesterday between Pantheon and Froidmont Farm. He suffered cruel losses. (Australian anil New Zealand Cable Association.) PARIS, 'July 9. In the Chamber of Deputies, M. Painleve admitted that the price paid in the last offensive was too high for the results, and the chiefs responsible had been relieved of their commands. The policy was one of prudence not lacking energy, but with due regard for the limit of human achievement. It was necessary that rash plans should not be attempted, but that the forces be conserved for a final battle. General Petain was an excellent leader ior this policy. BRILLIANTLY SUCCESSFUL COUNTER-ATTACK BY THE FRENCH. U. n ■-< ENEMY FORCES BATTERED AND BEATEN BACK. (Australian and Renter). Received July 10, at 9.5 p.m. . LONDON, July 9. A French communique states: "We repulsed a strong attack against Pantheon, We counter-attacked the trenches occupied yesterday between Les Beauvettes and Chavrigry Spur and drove the enemy from the first .line elements on a front of 1500 metres, regaining the greater part of the ground'lost Between Pantheon and Froidmont Farm. The enemy's attack here yesterday was made by elements belonging to three divisions, reinforced by special assaulting troops and flame-throwers—a total aggregation of a dozen fresh battalions. A wireless German official report says: The Crown Prince attacks were a complete success, improving his positions in the Chemin des Dames. We captured the French trenches on a front of three and a half kilometres southwards of Rargnyfllane and these we held against five counter-attacks. The French retain 'a portion of the trenches on the west bank of the Meuse.