GAINS AT THREE POINTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16538, 14 May 1917, Page 5

GAINS AT THREE POINTS

BdBHENT OF ZEEBRUGGE |; — BRITAIN'S CALL TO OLDER MEN RUSSIANS DENOUNCE THE KAISER The British have again attacked the Wodan sector of the Hindenburg line in the region of Bullecourt, 10 miles southeast of Arras. Operations were at the same time undertaken astride the Arras»Cambrai road, and north of the River Scarpe. In each instance the objectives were gained. Hundreds of prisoners were taken. The Germans are making frantic efforts to regain the initiative. Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria has been forced back to vital positions, and he is launching counterattack after counterattack. Some of these have extended as far north as the Souchez River. At this point three assaults were made, but achieved nothing. The French have also repulsed a series of determined counterattacks at a number of points extending along the Aisne front into the Champagne. I There has been further fighting on the Macedonian front. The French captured positions west of the Vardar River, and the British repulsed Bulgarian counterattacks on the Doiran sector. Eoth British and Russian forces operating north of Bagdad, in the region of the Persian frontier, have gained ground. An unofficial message reports an extensive aerial and naval bombardment of Zeebrugge, the harbour on the Belgian coast which has been used by the Germans as a destroyer and submarine base. The naval bombardment lasted 90 minutes, and terrific explosions shook the surrounding country. The War Office is about to open two new voluntary recruiting groups, one for men over the present military age in Britain (41) and not over 45, and the other for men between 45 and 50. It is unofficially stated that it is not intended to send these men to the front, but to use them behind the lines and for national service in Britain. The executive of the Russian revolutionary body known as the Council of Workmen and Soldiers' Delegates has issued a manifesto convening an international Socialist peace conference. ' The president of the council states that as long as the German people refuse to overthrow the Kaiser and the old regime, the Russian bayonets will be turned against them. i