ON THE WEST FRONT.

North Otago Times, Volume CV, Issue 13934, 17 July 1917, Page 6

ON THE WEST FRONT.

INTENSE FIGHTING IN PROGRESS.' POSITIONS STRONGLY HELD BY FRENCH. • j. EBB AND PLOW'OF:BATTLE. i' (Australian and' Renter.) , Received July Ifi, 10sl5 p.m, ■ . . ' • ' LONDON, July 15, A' French communique says: After 1 several hours of drumfire, the Germans last night Jicavily..attackeil pur.salient, .west, of Corny. A violent fight, with alternating advances and retreats', "contimieil all night. Despite .lMge.JL»emy effectives and the extensive use' of ilammenwerfers, the enemy was unable to hold the trench into which he penetrated, merely occupying some of,the first; line < elements on a front of 500 vlirds,

''After big. artillery preparation, our troops last night attacked two points in the Champagne and gained all their objectives, north of Monthani ainl the "slopes of'Telon', carrying tlm ■ position with splendid dash, on a front of 800 metres, by a depth of 000 metres of a powerfully- organised system of tranches. A succession of violent counter-attacks, after liand-to-hand fighting,, failed, with heavy'losses to the cueiny. All the conquered positions have been maintained. Our artillery caught and heavily punished the concentrated enemy relief troops. (Australian and Renter.) Received July Jfi, O.lii p.m. LONDON, July 15. A wireless German official says: There is violent artillery firing along I lie coast and between Boesingae and Wvtchacte, near Ypres, and Lens, and .astride the Scarpe, We repulsed the English advances near Gavrelle, eastwanl of Croisellcs, and near . Bullecourt. . We captured important positions on tile Cliemin-des-Dames, southeast, of Conrtecoii, on .a 1500 metres' froijt' by a <]ept-k : of The i'Jjy. (1 eapp iii tel v res i s tciil' i n, /dii an fi- to - ltaiiil ;• Wo t(ves against three counter-attacks..

After four day,s' .artillery' prepara ; lion, tho French attacked from the SOU til 'of Hauroy to the south-east of Moronvilliers. The asaault was sul)-' stantially repulsed. The enemy penetrated a fftw places at Hoehherg,, and' the fighting is proceeding. . The enemy attack on Hill 304,. on the left bank ot the Mouse, reached our. trenches, but the attack collapsed,

VIGOROUS MINOR ENCOUNTERS. RENEWAL OP AERIAL . ACTIVITY. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association) LONDON, July 15. . Sir Douglas ..Haig reports Jioayy reciprocal' 'artillery- activity and' air' figliiing, lie says-'fifteen German: aeroplanes have been brought down and se eral of ours are missing. ■ (Australian and.N.Z. Cable-Associa- ;. tion and Reuter). PARIS, July 111, A communique reports: Thero has been fighting at Courcy,.jvlierp v l a German attack was repulsed, There are lively artillery actions at numerous points, .- (A, and N.Z. Cable Association and > -Renter).' LONDON, July 1;1, Sir Douglas Haig reports: Patrol encounters gave ns the advantage southeastward of Havricourt. We mnde successful..raids near Bullecourt, Qavrolle, anil southward of Arnientieres. We repulsed raiders north-eastward of Avmentieres.

ARTILLERY DUEL SLACKENS. '' FRENCH CONSOLIDATING. CAPTURED POSITIONS. ■ \; : ■ (Australian and Eeuters). Received July 16,11.50 p.m. .. /■ ■ ' LONDON, July. 16. A French communique reports: The avtiljery struggle has slackened- w'ilst of Cerny, and in the Champagne,' We .organise/] the positions captured last night" north of Monthnnt and Teton.