FRANCO-BRITISH OFFENSIVE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16782, 25 August 1916, Page 5

FRANCO-BRITISH OFFENSIVE

♦THE BRITISH FRONT.

COUNTER-ATTACKS REPULSED

Australian and N.Z Cablo Association. LONDON, August 23.

Sir Douglas liaig reports : We repulsed two determined counter-attacks southward of Thiepval, inflicting heavy losses on the Germans.

A German attack in the evening south of Thiepval rained a footing in our new trenches, but the invadeis were immediately driven out. We completely repulsed a second determined countcr-attack at midnight. The Germans are bombarding High Wood and Bazentin le Petit.

High Commissioner's Cable.

LONDON, August 23. Sir Douglas llaig leporls: Opposite Lous a small raid by us was successful.

LINES STRAIGHTENED; POSITION IMPROVED.

SUCCESSFUL AERIAL COMBATS

High Commissioner's Cable. LONDON. August 23 (11.20 p.m.). The British official report says : South of Thiepval we gained a further 200 yards of Herman trcnchcs, -which straightened our line and improved our position. The enemy's artillery has been silenced in three different areas by our heavy guns. On Tuesday evening enemy's aircraft were ratisfactorily engaged in large numbers. Four were destroyed, and many others were brought down or pursued to their aerodromes.