OPERATIONS ON WESTERN FRONT

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9629, 9 April 1917, Page 5

OPERATIONS ON WESTERN FRONT

BRITISH AND FRENCH MAKE FURTHER ADVANCES ENEMY SUFFERS VERY HEAVY LOSSES. High Commissioner’s Reports. LONDON, April 6. French night official message: In Western Argonne tho enemy attacked with liquid flames, but were repulsed “by our barrage of fire; leaving dead and prisoners between our lines. North-westwards of Reims' the Gorman attack previously mentioned was made by numerous troops specially brought for the assault to drive ns out of the left bank of the Aisne Canal,- but completely failed. On a front of 2500 metres on the right bank of the Meuse and on Hill 304 the enemy suffered heavy losses. , , . Afternoon -communique: North-west of Reims, oUr counter-attacks and grenade fire enabled us to progress, reoccupying new elements of trenches. FIGHING ON FRENCH LINES Australian and New Zealand Cable Association and.Reuter. LONDON, April 6. Yesterday evening’s French communique, issued to-day, says:—We silenced vigorous enemy artillery lire north of Les Villors. The .enemy, using liquid fire, attacked north of Vcinnele Chateau, on the western boundary of the Argonne, and were repulsed, leaving dead and prisoners; .The German attack at tJapigmiel and Godai farm developed on a front of j 250 metres. The; enemy collected numerous selected storming troops, but tho attack completely failed. To-day’s communique says: There was fairly lively artillery fire in tho night between the Somnvo and the Oise. Gorman counter-attacks north of La Folie We made considerable progress south of the Oise; and north of Landricourt we progressed by means of grenades. We reoccupied fresh positions in a trench north-west Of Reims. - (Received April 8, 5.3 p.m.) LONDON, April. 7. A French communique states: Between the Somme and the Oise and north of Soissons there are artillery engagements at different points; no infantry operations. e . North-west of Reims we continue to advance by bombing west of bapigneul. The enemy violently bombarded Reims. There is violent artillery action in tho Aollon-Grugies region. W’e made further progress north of Landricourt. Great mutual artillery operations are in progress north-west of Berry-au-Bac, and much aerial activity. Hie German bombardment Of Reims killed ten civilians. Australian and New Zealand Cable Association ; -and Reuter, (Received April 9, 1-30 a.m.) LONDON, April 8. A French official message states there is much lively, artillery activity. The Germans yesieiwlay and last night throw many thousands of shells on Reims. Fifteen civilians were killed and many wounded.

SIR DOUGLAS HAIG’S REPORT BRUTSH AEROPLANES BOMB IMPORTANT DEPOTS. Australian and New Zealand Cable Association and Renter. (Received April 8, 5.5 p-m.) . LONDON, April 7. Sir Douglas Haig reports: Wo carried the village of Lempire, northward of St. Quentin. We made further progress north-east of Norqail. > , The enemy’s severe losses during tho past week between St. Quentin and Arras are evidenced by the large numbers of dead in many localities. Our aeroplanes, on a long raiding tour, bombed important railway junctions, munition depots, and aerodromes. A GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT. Australian arid-New Zealand Cable Association; (Received April 8, 5-5 p.m.) : LONDON, April 7. A wireless German official message states: We repulsed a French attempt to recapture lost trenches near Sapigneul, and attacks at Malancourt Wood. In a strong aerial reconnaissance the enemy suffered Severely, losing yesterday forty-four machines. Five of ours are missing. GERMAN SOLDIERS ORDERED TO POLLUTE WELLS Australian and New Zealand Cable Association. , (Received • April 8, 11.5 p.m.) I - LONDON, - April 7. Several orders were found on prisoners captured at the Bapaumo retreat ordering them to blow up houses, collars, and churches, ajid pollute the wells with creosote and dung. 1