ARTILLERY DUELS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3195, 9 June 1915, Page 32

ARTILLERY DUELS.

SIR J FRENCH’S REPORT. LONDON, June 4

Sir John French reports ; The fighting in the last few days has been mainly artillery engagements. On the night of May 30 we seized the outbuildings in the ground off the Chateau Hooge. Our trenches were subjected to heavy bombardment. Fighting on a small scale continues. At one time we were forced to evacuate the buildings, but on Thursday night we recaptured them. North-westward of Givenchy on Thursday night we expelled the enemy from their trenches on a front of 200 yards, taking 48 prisoners. Our infantry, however, were unable to remain in occupation of these trenches after daylight, owing to the enemy’s fire.

THE FRENCH IN FLANDERS. LONDON, June 5

Official : The attacks northward of Arras are progressing. We captured an enemy trench northward of the sugar refinery, taking 30 , prisoners. Hand grenades crushed an attempted German attack at Neuville St. Yaast. We gained another 100 metres at the Labyrinth. - The enemy with a rong-range gun dropped a number of shells at Verdun, but failed to hit their mark. We bombarded the southern front of an entrenched camp at Metz. The Germans fired projectiles on St. Die without doing any harm.

GERMAN COUNTER-ATTACKS REPULSED.

PARIS, June 6,

Official : During Friday night three violent counter-attacks on the Souchez sugar refinery and the trenches to the north and south were repulsed with heavy enemy losses. The French are masters of all the ■positions. They also carried a German position north-west of Cabaret Rouge, south of Souchez, and now hold two-thirds of Neuville. They also gained another 450 yards north of the Labyrinth, but the struggle continues in the centre of the Labyrinth without cessation. The French located the German gun firing upon Verdun, and damaged itsiplatform and blew up the ammunition store.

GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT. BERLIN, June 4,

A communique states : “We stormed a chateau in the village of Hooge. The British counter-attacks were repulsed with great bloodshed. The British at East Givenchy on Thursday evening entered our position. We ejected them with severe losses, capturing three machine guns.

THE ARMIES CONTRASTED. LONDON, June 4. The Times military correspondent says

“ Our armies are steadily improving in physique, for the pick of our manhood are not yet fighting. On the other hand, there is a tremendous strain on s Germany, who is losing seven men a minute, as she is suffering 300,000 casualties monthly. The original enemy has disappeared, and the recruits do not maintain the old physical excellence, being composed of callow youths and fathers of families.”

MR ASQUITH AT THE FRONT. LONDON, June 4.

Reuter states that Mr Asquith this week visited the British headquarters in France. Using a fast motor car, the Prime Minister visited an eminence, whence he was able to trace the firing line. He addressed one of the brigades, emphasising the appreciation of those at Home following the doings of our men at the front. Quaint scenes took place during a visit to a brewery, where the enormous vats' had been converted into baths, each accommodating 12 men. When Mr Asquith arrived scores of naked men jumped out and cheered the Prime Minister.

Mr Asquith also conferred with the British commanders. The Prime Minister had a great reception from the Indians and the Canadians. He has returned to London.

Juno 5. Mr Asquith has inspected the area in

Flanders where gas has been extensively used by the Germans.

A GERMAN ACCOUNT,

AMSTERDAM, June 5,

A German account of the aerial bombing of the Crown Prince’s headquarters states that several persons were killed, but the attack was otherwise resultless.