TERRIFIC FIGHTING ON WESTERN FRONT.

North Otago Times, 20 July 1917, Page 5

TERRIFIC FIGHTING ON WESTERN FRONT.

„ ~..;SPLENDID DASH OF,'FRENCH INFANTRY, f -'■•'■ >■■< •■■ •■•:' V: .'A. . t?#"l..;}. " ' ' . ~ GERMAN POSITIONS OVERWHELMED. \ : - ; (Australian anu Kew Zealand Cable Association.) i PARIS, July 18. • The French Second Army has made a fine blow at Avocourt sector, where the Germans during the last three'weeks, by numerous ' attacks, had succeeded two or three times in biting into the. French trenches. The French refrained from attacking, awaiting a favourable opportunity, but yesterday their formidable artillery fire completely crushed the German trenches, and the French 'infantry ; rushed through to the enemy supporting positions, which were being shelled.by the French artillery. The Germans, at bay, fought stubbornly. Those refusing to surrender were killed, and the rest surrendered, the French gaining at the end of the battle , an advance of a kilometre on a 21-kilometre front. The High Commissioner reports:— LONDON, July 19 (3.40 p.m.) A French official report says: On the left bank of the Mouse after a violent bombardment, the Germans counter-attacked several times the positions we captured at Avocourt Wood and as far as the slopes to the west of Hill 301. All the efforts were broken with, sanguinary losses to the enemy and without losing a scrap of ground. (Australian end New- Zealand Cable Association.) Received July 19, at 5.30 p.m. LONDON, July 18. v A French communique-says: 'After a violent bombardment the Germans launched several counter-attacks against the positions we " captured yesterday from Avocourt Wood to the far slopes west of Hill 304, {he attacks were shattered with sanguinary losses to the enemy and without his regaining the least portion of the conquered ground. (Australian and New Zealand Cable Association) Received July 19, at 5.30 p.m. M LONDON, July 18. A wireless German official report says: There has been lively a/tilltjry activity along the coast and from the Ysor to Lys, from La Bassee Canal to Loos and from Lens to both banks of the Scarpe. We repulsed English advances between Hollebeke and Warneton aud drove back an English attack along the Arras-Cambrai road except at a narrow point westward of Bois-deu-Vert. The French attacked along a .five kilometre front between Avocourt Wood and westward of Mort Homme after a bitter conflict at the corner of ■ Mclanco'urt Wood astride the Mclancourt-E:mes road. (Eeulcr's Telegrams.) Received July 19, at 8.40 p.m. . PARIS, July 18. " : A semi-official report says: Yesterday's advance on the left . ■. of the Mcusc-iras-of coiuklcrablc importance. It releases Hill 304, which .the enemy has been closely pressing, and also done much to . clear the enemy from the approaches to Verdun. •'■ " j ; (Australian and Renter). ■-,. Received July 19, at 10.50 p.m.' .',-'. LONDON, July 18. ' , A French communique says: Wo repulsed a German attack , .west of Corny sugar factory. . . • (Australian and Renter)/ • Received July 19, at 10.50 p.m. " ' ",',,, LONDON; July 18. ,; Sir Douglas Haig reports: We successfully raided in the neigh'•bourhood of Fre'snpy. ' There .were, a number of-air fights'in the evening of yesterday in -which large formations were engaged. We : brought down nine machines and drove down six; Four of ours .-■■■;'., arc missing. *■ "• ' \