FRENCH SUCCESSES IN ALSACE AND LORRAINE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16459, 8 February 1917, Page 7

FRENCH SUCCESSES IN ALSACE AND LORRAINE.

BRITISH GAIN TRENCHES ON THE SOMME FRONT. REPULSE OF FOUR COUNTER-ATTACKS BY THE ENEMY. A. and N.Z. and Hcuter. LONDON, Feb. 6. A French communique states: "The enemy, after a violent bombardment, attacked north-west of the forest of Parroy, in Lorraine. A detachment penetrated our first line, but was immediately driven out. Our reconnaissance, after artillery preparation, penetrated the German trenches at three points in the region of Aspach, north-west of Altkirch, in Alsace, and wrecked enemy works." Sir Douglas Haig reports: "We repulsed three attempted raids on the Somme front. We were entirely successful in a local operation carried out last night north-eastward of Gueudecourt. We occupied 500 yards of trenches, and repulsed two counter-attacks. We entered the enemy's lines last night at three points in the neighbourhood of Bouchayesnes, Pys, and Grandcourt. The enemy made four unsuccessful counter-attacks on our new front eastward of Beaucourt. Our positions have been consolidated. A party which reached our lines north-eastward of Vermelles was ejected." A later report from Sir Douglas Haig states: "We advanced our lino in the neighbourhood of Grandcourt, where 1000 yards of trenches were occupied unopposed. We took further prisoners east of Beaucourt. Our air-craft bombed an enomy aerodrome and did considerable damage. Two British aeroplanes were brought down and two of tho enemy's were and damaged." . ,