WESTERN THEATRE

Southland Times, Issue 17935, 29 January 1917, Page 5

WESTERN THEATRE

successful British baxds. AV.-R.TAT. activity. (Australian & N.Z. Cable Assu & Reuter) LONDON, January 26. Received January 28, 5.5 p.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports; We carried out raids eastward of Loos and northeastward of Vcrmelles, taking many prisoners. A number of dugouts were destroyed, and the enemy suffered many casualties. We bombarded the enemy’s positions northward of the Somme with good results. Our aeroplanes successfully bombed a number of places behind the lines. Dive German machines were destroyed, five were driven (down jand damaged, and one of ours is missing. PARTICULARLY VIOLENT ATTACK. SUCCESSFUL 7BENCK COUNTERATTAOK. LIVELY ARTILLERY STRUGGLE. LONDON, January' 27. Received January 28, 5 p.m. French communique; Fresh reports show that the enemy attack on the left of the Meuse yesterday was particularly violent. Several German regiments participated, and there was hand-to-hand fighting at some points. We counter-attacked this morning, and retook in the region of Hill 304 the greater portion of the elements into which the enemy had penetrated. There was a fairly lively artillery struggle on the right of the Meuse, In the region of Bozonvaux, Louvjoy and Wocvre sectors, and at Regnevllle. GERMAN ATTACKS. BEATEN BACK BY TEE TRENCH. LONDON. January 26, Received January 27, 5.5 p.m. French communique; The Germans yesterday evening attacked at four points from Avoucourt Wood to the east of Morthomme. Our fire drove them back, only some enemy parties succeeded In penetrating the advanced trenches In a sector of Hill 304. The enemy suffered very heavy losses. Seven enemy aeroplanes were brought down. Our air squadrons heavily bombed several railway stations, also hutments and military establishments, and caused a great fire at the railway station at Brieullh. BENEWEB ACTIVITY,, WHAT XT SEEKS TO INDICATE, PARIS, January' 27. Received January 28, 5.5 p.m. The renewed activity on both sides of the west front in the clear, frosty' weather seems to indicate a fresh stage toward a big offensive. The French sector is becoming as lively as that of the Brltieh, and it is natural to expect raidings with Increased vigour. Already there has been great aerial activity, intensified by bombardments. The offensive may not come immediately, but everything should be ready in a month or two. SUCCESSFUL BRITISH OPERATIONS. GREAT ACTIVITY DISPLAYED. ALONG WHOLE FRONT. (Australian & N.Z. Cable Assn & Reuter) (Admiralty per Wireless Press.) LON DON, January 27. Received January 28, 11.15 p.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports a successful operation in the morning In the neighbourhood of Le Transloy. The whole of our objective was gained, giving us command of a portion of the enemy’s position. We captured 350 prisoners. We drove back with heavy losses several vigorous counter-attacks. Our casualties were very alight. We raided positions north-east of Neuvllle and St. Vaasf, took prisoners, and destroyed dugouts. We had no casualties. Our patrols entered trenches and inflicted casualties north-east of Vermelles. We bombarded positions in the neighbourhood of Serve, greatly damaging the defences, and north-east of Arras we dispersed working parties. Our fire northwards of Hulluch caught the enemy infantry, inflicting many casualties. GERMANS CLAIM A SUCCESS. (Admiralty per Wireless Press.) LONDON, January 26. Received January 28, 5.5 p.m. German Official: Westphalians and Badt-ners stormed trenches on Hill 204 along a mile front on the west bank of the Meuse, inflicting sanguinary losses. The French, in the night, counter-at-tacked but failed. GERMAN CLAIMS. (Admiralty per Wireless Press.) LONDON, January 27. Received January 28, 11.15 p.m. German official: We broke a further attack against positions at Hill 304 with sanguinary losses. GERMAN WORKS BOMBARDED. LONDON, January 27. Received January 2S, 11.15 p.m. French communique; We destructively bombarded German works in the sector of Hill 304. Five enemy aeroplanes were brought down, including Lieut. Guynemer’s thirtieth. Two of our aeroplanes bombed the railway station and military workshops at Ham, causing a fire and a big explosion. THE SWISS FRONTIER, BERNE, January 2G. Received January' 28, 5.5 p.m. The Swiss frontier contiguous to Germany is being rigorously closed.