THE ADVANCE ON LENS.

North Otago Times, 20 July 1917, Page 8

THE ADVANCE ON LENS.

BATTLE IN TIIUNDEKSTOKM.

LONDON, July 1,

The special correspondent of the United Press Association of America at the British Headquarters says:—,

"The British advanced south-west of Lens during a terrific thunderstorm, which broke just before dark on Thursday. They advanced for an average of 500 yards along a two miles front, and are still advancing. They are halfway through Avion (since wholly occupied), and also well to Hie south-east of Leas. The Germans did not make any counterattack, and all the gains were consolidated." "1 watched the battle from an elevation behind the .Canadians. A black storinclouil came lip with vivid lightning and thunder-claps, which could not be distinguished from the reports of the howitzers. The infantry stormed the outskirts of Lens and the German positions on the plains .southward to the accompaniment'of both Heaven's artillery and that of Sir Douglas Ilaig. /'The aeroplanes dciied the elements, I and literally played the storm, Again they swept the Germans from Itho sky, and were the deciding factor in the battle. "One youthful pilot amused the troops who wefe waiting for the time to attack with nose dives, spins, and loops. His pranks acted like a tonic." The "Woman of Avion." Mr Philip Gibbs, the special correspondent of the "Daily Chronicle," gives a curious description of the manner in which the defenders of Lens are harassed by drums of Waking oil and suffocating smoke; screens., Ho goes on:—"Our shells at the opening of the battle burst in a wide sweep around Lens, lighting fires there. ,A long chain of golden fountains : arose, like miniaturo mines. They were fob lowed by,a hjgh bank of white; impone-' trnblc smoke. Above the smoke-clouds rose, one,of the strangest- things seen 1 during the''war. It was the, figure of a colossal' woman, whose head reached tlio heavens above Avion-. It'seemed to be, carved out of rock arid, staring, across the .Mt-tlcliclii.'' It .remained unchanged for several minutes.. " \ : ",'.".. ■:, .'.'■'' in spite of.tlib <1 }fHculty of piercing-' 'smoke .banks, -alulidf'\tho -hcavyl rain/ /which{inndb.llie.ground as;Blippcry .-.'fla ■vl!ho ;Bfitis)^losyes:were ; i not -heavy, 0; •)