THE WESTERN FRONT.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 885, 11 December 1916, Page 8

THE WESTERN FRONT.

BRITISH RAID TRENCHES. HEAVY BOMBARDMENTS. A. and N.Z. Cable Association and Renter. LONDON, December 9. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—We raided trenches in the neighbourhood of Neuville St. Vaast and Souchez, inflicting losses. Trench mortars unsuccessfully bombarded our lines northward of Ploegslreet and eastward of Arras. The enemy shelled our front southward of the Ancrc and at Gueudecourt. We retaliated, bombarding points behind their lines. AUSTRALIANS CAPTURED. A GERMAN CLAIM. j A. and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter. LONDON, December 9. A German communique claims the capture of a number of Australians at le Transloy. THE FRENCH SECTOR. SUCCESS IN CHAMPAGNE. A. and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter. LONDON, December 9. A French official message says:— We made a successful coup de main against a German salient in Champagne. Trenches were entered and mine galleries destroyed and prisoners brought back. An artillery duel has raged on (he left bank of the Meuse.

In the Somnie sector, on the Bouchavesnes front, and at Biaches, there has been fairly lively artillery activity.

A sharp counter-attack ejected the enemy from trench elements in the Apremont forest which he had temporarily occupied.

THE LATEST REPORT.

FRENCH AIRMEN BUSY

A. and N.Z. Cable Association and Renter. (Received December 11, 10.25 a.m.) LONDON, December 10. A French communique states:— Nothing important has occurred. Our aeroplanes heavily bombarded railway stations and military establishments at Martigny, St. Monsen, and Chaussee. TROOPS MOVING. GERMAN PREPARATIONS. liculer's Teleprams. AMSTERDAM, December 1). There have been big movements by German troops in Belgium, and it is believed thai they presage fresh activity.