GROUND WON IN FRANCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15951, 23 June 1915, Page 7

GROUND WON IN FRANCE

ADVANCE IN ALSACE.

FRENCH OCCUPY METZERAL. RUSSIAN FIGHT FOR LEMBERG EVACUATION ANTICIPATED.

The French advancing in Alsace along the Fecht, captured the village of Metzeral by assault, and have established their lines beyond the outskirts of the village. The French have also made progress in the Bonhomme Pass ol the Vosges, further north, capturing a mountain spur. The Germans have given ground on the Lorraine frontier. The Germans admit that they evacuated Metzeral "according to a prearranged plan."

German aviation parks, north of Arras, have been attacked by French air squadrons, which set fire to four hangars. The French have progressed towards Souchez, capturing several trenches. On the western borders of the Argonne forest, the Germans delivered a violent local attack, which was preceded by an intense bombardment, in which asphyxiating projectiles were used. Two French companies were buried in trenches which were destroyed. By an imme>

diate counterattack the French won back almost the whole of

the ground lost.

The official " Eyewitness" describes how the British captured German trenches south of Festubert by the use of bombs, though they subsequently withdrew to their original position when the Germans counter-attacked with the same weapons. A considerable number of Germans were killed by the explosion of a British mine.

The Russians are still retreating upon Lemberg. It is officially reported that they have withdrawn from the Grodek Lakes, to the west of the city. The" Times reports that the Russians are making another stand nearer the city, though it is assumed in Petrograd that Lemberg will not.be held.

An Italian auxiliary cruiser captured an Austrian naphtha ship containing supplies for submarines, 160 miles from Naples, on the west coast of Italy.