MOST MERCILESS STRUGGLE OF THE WAR.

North Otago Times, Volume CV, Issue 13939, 24 July 1917, Page 6

MOST MERCILESS STRUGGLE OF THE WAR.

COSTLY DEFEAT OP GERMANY'S CRACK TROOPS, ' REMARKABLE FIGHTING YUJJE OFCFRENCH AMIES. . (Austialnn anil Now Znlnnil Ciljlo Association,? . • ;;: paris, Juip2.;;:. "M : . Mareol ITutin, writing in the Echo do Paris states that one of. the .most desperate, battles and probably, the most merciless of the war terminated south, of Cernyiiiun iijieontfistable;victor ( v"'M--the "French infantry and the bloody; defeat of the'l)est GcMhil' troops, ropresented by the Braiideiitmrg Guards, Heaps of enemy dead testify to the phenomenal losses.' .-...,. , TERRIFIC FIGHTING AGAINST FRENCH POSITIONS, /■ •' KAISER'S SPECIALLY PICKED TROOPS PUNISHED,: OUR GALLANT ALLY FIGHTING FOR HER LIFE. (Australian and Renter). RpfipivedJnly 23, at 9.10p.in. LONDON, July 22. A French communique says: "After violent enemy bombardment along the Aisne front, from Oherigny Spur to Ihe south of Lornbeuy, the Germans'at daybreak launched a powerful attack with fresh troops, brought up the previous evening, between Hut'tebise and Casements. Plateau. The hostile waves of assaulting troops were shattered by fire and thrown back to their trenches. , The French heavy batteries dispersed' the enemy masses south of Aileite with severe losses. Simultaneously French infantry brilliantly repelled the violent attacks on Casements Plateau and California Plateau. The artillery duel continued with redoubled intensity in ihe whole region. The enemy is most active at night time on both banks of the Meuse, Lively artillery duels are in progress in the regions of Avocourt and Rezonvaux and the whole of St. Michiel sector. The Germans attacked at two points north of ISozonvau.w After a sharp tight we completely drove them out of some of'our elements in which they had gained a footing. Two .enemy altempts to reach our trenches on Hie heights of the Meuse am] at Touejio, near Chevalirs Woods, failed. (Itnuler's TMograins.) Received July 2.1, al 8.50 p.m. LONDON, July 22. Renter's' correspondent at the French Headquarters describes the attack on a four mile front; on the Cheniin-des-Dames sector, on the 18th, in which the Fifteenth Division of Prussian Guards, composed of picked battalions participated and were repulsed. The ' correspondent says: Everywhere along the crest the Germans have only a stone's throw to climb to reach the French front line, In some places the lines are only fifteen yards apart, the French hanging almost vertically over the German. The latter obtained a single success, at one point, because it was practically impossible for the French artillery to protect their own front line. A desperate hand-to-hand conflict raged all night, but the enemy, by the morning was driven out of all momentary gains. (Australian and Renter.) Received. July 2«'J, at 9.10 p.m. .; ' iJUllfliili LONDON, July'S" '

A French communique reports: The battle continued all 'day long with extreme violence in the region of •ITuvtebise and Oraonne. Observers located numerous German batteries. The whole of the principal efforts are directed against Casement and California Plateau, which powerful effectives incessantly attacked. The French troops are resisting with admirable bravery. They vigorously counter-attacked and the enemy was thrown back often from Casements, to which he had clung, with enormous losses. The enemy obtained a foothold on California Plateau in the first line, during the aftcrnoo- The fighting continues desperately. . The artillery fighting is tlie most lively in the Champagne and on the left of the Mouse.

IS THE GREAT OFFENSIVE COMING? GERMANS REPORT INCREASE IX ALLIES FIGHTING ' ' ACTIVITY. (Australian andßeutor). Received July 23, al 8.50 p.m . " LONDON, July '23. A wireless German official report says: The enemy's fighting activity has increased generally on the West Front. (Australian snd A'ev Zealand Cable Assoeia'.ion mid Jieuter.) LONDON, July 22. ' Sir Douglas Haig reports: Patrol .encounters last night northwestward of St. Qiieiitin and southward of Lens resulted in our favour. We have slightly advanced our line south-eastward of Monchy-le-Preux. There is hostile-artillery activity to the coast,