STRAIGHTENING THE LINE

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9094, 13 July 1915, Page 5

STRAIGHTENING THE LINE

LATEST BRITISH OFFENSIVE WELL EXECUTED By Talegrapß — Press Association—Copyright LONDON, July 11; Renter's agent at British Headquarters says:—The latest British offensive in the vicinity of Boesingho on Tuesday last was well executed, and achieved a considerable straightening of the line. The heavy artillery bombarded for an hour, clearing entanglements and enabling the attackers, with slight losses, to occupy the enemy trenches. Prisoners admit that the Germans suffered severely from the bombardment. In one battalion there were 400 casualties. Many others were buried in the trenches. The attack was a complete surprise. Every enemy counter-attack failed. Our artillery in almost every case got information where the Germans were massing, and stifled the assault, the enemy losing severely. The prisoners are mostly good class Prussians. The French artillery was helpful in preventing reinforcements coming up to the enemy. GERMANS DISLODGED NORTH OF ARRAS PARIS, July 11. A communique states: —The British on Saturday evening repulsed a German attack, which, after gaining a footing on portions of the first line, was driven out by an immediate counter-attack. . « Wo dislodged the Germans northward of Arras from several portions of trenches in which they had maintained themselves in the line they captured on Thursday last. A German counter-attack, which developed last night north, ward of Souchez station, was beaten back. A French aeroplane brought down a German machine near Altkirch today. . OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE FROM BERLIN AMSTERDAM, July 11. A German communique states: —The British northward of Ypres on Saturday renewed the attack against our positions on the Canal, imt were repulsed with considerable enemy losses. A trench we captured north-west of Beausejour on Friday was lost on Saturday, but again stormed and held despite five counter-attacks. A French attack on our new position at Bois lo Pretre collapsed with hcavv enemy losses. . , , _ , The attack a- —"nst the German positions east and south of Sondernach and south-west of ’ inster fin Alsace) were repulsed.. Our airmen attacked the railway at Gerardmer. ENEMY AGAIN SHELLS ARRAS AND REIMS (Received July 12, 9 p.m.) PARIS. July 12. Tile Germans on Thursday fired sixteen 105-milHmetre shells into Saint Dio and killed a civilian and slightly wounded a few others. Official. “There has been a violent bombardment of our position at La Fontenbelle, Metzeral and West Ammerzwiller. The enemy again shelled Arras and Reims.” MORE TALK OF GERMAN OFFENSIVE (Received July 13, 1 a.m ) ROTTERDAM, July 12. The unusual activity ot the- Germans in Flanders continues. ’ Bridges have been strengthened to enable the passage of guns A German offensive, with tremendous artillery, is anticipated.