ACTIVITY IN THE WEST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16033, 27 September 1915, Page 6

ACTIVITY IN THE WEST.

SUCCESSFUL ATTACKS.

GAINS NEAR ARRAS.

ENGAGEMENT AT LOOS.

(Received September 27, £2.15 *.m.) Paris, September 26. A communique says: "On the Belgian coast our batteries cooperated with the British fleet in the bombardment of the German positions at Westende and Middelkerke. British troops successfully attacked the enemy westward of Loos (a few miles south- of Lille) and Hulluch. A vigorous Anglo-French attack northward of Arras gave us a footing at several ; points of the enemy lines, while in the Champagne district, after a new and very violent bombardment of : the trenches, shelters, blockhouses and batteries, our infantry began an assault on the German lines between , Suippe and the Aisne. The first of i the enemy's positions was occupied j along almost the whole front of the attack. Progress continues." i

The High Commissioner, in sending this communique, adds that there were combats with aerial torpedoes and shells between the Lomme and the Oise.

GERMAN COMMUNIQUE.

INTENSE ARTILLERY FIRE.

(Received September 27, 2 a-m.) Amsterdam September 26. A German communique states: — " Along the entire front from the sea to the Vosges the enemy's fire increased. It was especially violent eastward of Ypres, between La Bassee Canal and Arras, and from the Champagne to the Argonne. "After severe artillery preparation, lasting at some points for 50 hours, the expected attack began. The British attacked between Ypres and the Roulers-Comines

railway. Their attack on the northern wing was repulsed after band-to-hand fighting in front of, and in, our positions. They are, further, attacking north-east and south-east of Armentieres, and northward of La Bassee Canal. "It is only now knownon the evening of the 23rd— the French penetrated our battered trenches near Souchez. We ejected them on Friday, again repulsing them near Souchez and on both sides of Neuville. From Prosnes, in the Champagne, to Argonne the French attacked, but at most points we repulsed them, partly by strong artillery and partly by infantry and machine-gun fire. The retreating enemy columns suffered considerably from heavy artillery and machinegun fire. Hand-to-hand fighting continues at some points of the front."