FRENCH REPORTS OF RAIDS

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLII, Issue 11580, 2 July 1918, Page 5

FRENCH REPORTS OF RAIDS

GREAT SMASH OF AEROPLANES IMMENSE WEIGHT OF BOMBS DROPPED. Australian-N.Z. Cable Association. London, Jane 30. A French communique issued on the evening of the 30th state: We made various raids, notably west of Hangard, and south of Antreuches. In a local operation south' of the Ourcq we captured lust night the crest between Nosloy and Passieu Valois, advancing 800 metres on a front of three kilometres. We took 275 prisoners. On the 28th and 29tH, fifteen enemy’ aeroplanes weie downed, aud 19 others " put out of action. Lieutenant Fonk downed three machines on the 25th, and two on the 27th, making his official total 49. In raids with various objectives, we dropped 52 tons of bombs,! Deluding enemy troops preparing for a counter-attack in the Oufry region. NEW FRENCH TANK, fl LIVELY f 13HTEMG UNIT, Reuter. Received July 2, 9 a.m. London, July 1. French headquarters report the important part played in the battle of the 28th between the Aisne and Villers Cotteret Forest by new small tanks, which for the first time were engaged in considerable force. They are about quarter the size and weight of the ordinary’ battle tank, and carry a crew of two. They are much faster than ordinary tanks and can climb a slope which the latter could not attempt aud can he swung ccmplately r round iu their trucks in a few seconds. Their small size ana high speed make them a more difficult target for tbe enemy's artillery.

GERMANS ACCEPT DEFEAT. NO COUNTER-ATTACK EAST OF NIEPPE; ALLIES AWAIT GERM OFFENSIVE. London, July 1. y, Mr Phillip Gibbs writes: There has been n i German cpunter-attack to retake the ground gained east of Nieppe Forest, when we took prisoner 429 Germans an i.nrsny machine guns. A German wireless gives a fantastic account, exaggerating our objective, and stating that we were repulsed with great losses outside the village of Yieux Eerqniu. As a matter of fact, the Australians on our left carried out a small enterprise in support cf the main English attack, with remarkable success and rapidity, bringing beck nrisoners and several machine guns. There were only a few raids on Saturday and Sunday. We are still waiting for the German offensive. Our armies, with gaps filled by yonng drafts, are now strong in d fence. An immense amount cf work has been done be lumS our linos recently. A FEW MORE PRISONERS TAKEN. Australia n-N. Z. C ble Associations London, June 30. Sir Douglas Hsig reports; We took prisoner a few in a successful day-light raid eastward of Kobecq.