THE FRENCH OFFENSIVE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3195, 9 June 1915, Page 30

THE FRENCH OFFENSIVE.

PARIS, June 1

A. communique states : On Monday night we penetrated to Thicku, east of the Aix-Noulette-Souchez road, where a violent hand-to-hand fight resulted to our advantage. A very violent combat developed around the sugar factory at Souchez, where we captured 60 prisoners. We repulsed two companies at La Fontenel'le, north of St. Die (injffie Vosges), with heavy losses. , June 2.

Official; We captured the Souchez Refinery in the evening, and during the night-time we repelled the Huns. We remain masters of the position, notwithstanding counter-attacks, and inflicted heavy losses. We continue to carry one by one German works in the Labyrinth, southeast of Neuville-St. Vaast, and made important progress in the northern part of this fortified system, taking 150 prisoners. After a violent bombardment of the outskirts of Bois le Pretre, the enemy recaptured some portions of the trenches taken by us on Sunday. The final assault leading to the capture of Ablain cost the French 200 killed and wounded. Five hundred dead Germans were found in the ruins, and 500 were taken prisoners, while 14 mitrailleuses were captured.

ENGAGEMENT AT ARTOIS.

LONDON, June 1.

The Times correspondent in the north of France says that the operations of the French north of Arras were a complete success. An artillery officer -gave the following vivid impression of the principal engagement at Artois : “ Our cannonade was the most formidable of the war. Our infantry attack was prepared by guns of all calibres firing on the enemy’s lines for four hours. Its violence increased hour by hour. Then mines which had been driven under the enemy’s trenches were exploded. The scene was terrible, though hidden by an impenetrable smoke in which hundreds of shells exploded simultaneously. Then thousands of bayonets flashed, as our infantry sprang from their trenches and advanced, marching calmly. We carried the first line of German trenches and advanced on the second line as though on parade. It was an unforgettable picture. Our soldiers were truly incomparable. They marched with a line, of officers some paces in front.’’