ATTACKS ON FRENCH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16581, 3 July 1917, Page 5

ATTACKS ON FRENCH

FIGHTING ON AISNE RIDGE BRITISH PRESSURE ON LENS NEW ACTIVITY IN RUSSIA ---—■■■■——^ The Germans are continuing their attacks against the Trench on the Aisne Plateau and on the Verdun front. A \iolent attack was delivered against a front of 500 yards on the Chemin 3es Dames ridge, and after suffering very heavy losses, the enemy occupied a line of trenches. Fighting on the Verdun front has been confined to local attacks. Further progress has been made in the British attack on the defences of Lens. Prisoners taken by the British on the west front during June totalled 8688, making a total for the three months of the offensive of 31,443. Sixty.severa guns and howitzers were captured, making a total of 325 since the beginning of April. It is estimated that as a result of the British counter-battery work, 1280 German guns have been destroyed since the beginning of the year. Recent German reports of activity in Galicia are cow confirmed by a Russian communique, which describes an artillery battle on the front south of the Pripet, the activity being greatest in the Lemberg zone. German and Austrian reports mention several attacks by Russian infantry.

Much damage has been caused in Ostein! among naval vessels and buildings by the recent British bombardment. The attacks were continued during the week-end.