BATTLE OF YPRSE RENEWED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16621, 18 August 1917, Page 7

BATTLE OF YPRSE RENEWED

ENEMY AGAIN DRIVEN BACK FURTHER GAINS NEAR LENS EARLY .3000 PRISONERS TAKEN BRITISH FOOD POSITION IMPROVED An allied operation, which is officially stated not to have been intended to be on a large scale, has been successfully conducted east and north of Ypres. British and French attacked on a front of over nine miles, and heavy fighting lasted all day. The French advanced along the NoordschooteDixmude road, north of Ypres, and the British carried their line half-a-mile beyond Langemarck, five miles north and east of Ypres. Farther south the progress was not so well defined, the Germans multiplying counter-attacks, which cost them heavily. Over 1800 prisoners had been counted when the communique was despatched. A French newspaper forecasts the early fall of Lens. There is only a narrow neck over which German reinforcements must march into the city, and this is swept by the British fire. A Prussian Guards division was practically annihilated here. Nearly 900 prisoners have been taken in two days north of Lens. The French carried a solid enemy trench system on a front of over half.a.mile, north of the Aisne. The Roumanians and Russians have been forced to yield ground in Moldavia. Strong Turkish and Khurdish forces made an offensive in the direction of Kharput, on the south Armenian front. The attack was repulsed at all points but one. Mr. Lloyd George states that the food position in Britain has improved and the harvest promises well. Shipping con. struction and economies In tonnage will enable the allies to carry on in 1918 and, if necessary, in 1919.