FIGHTING IN THE WEST.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 944, 19 February 1917, Page 8

FIGHTING IN THE WEST.

SOMME OPERATIONS. BRITISH STILL ADVANCE. A. and N.Z. Cablt Association and Reuter. LONDON, February 17. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—Wo carried ouf successful operations on both banks of the Ancre this morning, and progressed considerably. We attacked southward of the river and captured positions on a front of one mile and a-half opposite the villages of Miraumont and Petit Miraumont. We penetrated to a depth of over 1000 yards, and advanced our zone within a few hundred yards of Petit Miraumont.

We captured, northward of the river, an important position on the upper slopes of a spur northwards of Baillcscourt farm on a 1000 yards front.

We successfully repulsed a coun-ter-attack. The enemy's losses were

heavy. We made raids southwards of Neuvc Chapelle, and north-east of Ploegstecrt, and reached the enemy's second line. In the latter a large number of the enemy was killed, and many dug-outs destroyed. We repulsed hostile parlies westward of our lines and eastward of Givenchy.

THE FLANDERS SECTOR. MUTUAL TRENCH RAIDS. i LONDON, February 17. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—Wei carried out a successful raid southward of Souchez. An enemy party reached our line north-east of Armentieres, but was immediately driven out. During the air-fights on Thursday nine German machines were brought down, ana four English are missing. THE FRENCH FRONT. CONSIDERABLE ACTIVITY. A. and JV.Z. Cable. Association and Renter. PARIS, February 18. The following French communique has, been issued:—We car-: ried out several successful raids at Berry-au-Bac and in the Argonne. There has been an active artillery I duel west of the Maison-de-Cham-pagne, at Louvemont and in the Vosges south of the Col Ste Marie. In Alsace one of our detachments penetrated and wrecked a salient at Amertzwiller. Intermittent artillery fire occurred on most of the front, especially in the direction of Ribecourt. PATROL ENCOUNTERS. ENEMY TRENCHES ENTERED. A. and N.'A. Cable. Association and Reuter. (Received February 19, 10.50 a.m.) LONDON, February 18. A French communique slates:— There have been patrol encounters, especially in the sectors of Troyon, west of Chambrettes, and north-west of Badonvillers. A detachment penetrated the enemy's trenches in the Le Pretre wood, and destroyed works and dugouts. CHAMPAGNE FIGHTING. PRAISE FOR CROWN PRINCE. Australian and N.Z. CalAc Association. (Received February 19, 9.10 a.m.) LONDON, February 18. The Kaiser has congratulated the Crown Prince on his success in the Champagne. It is doubtful whether this activity presages an attempt to forestall the Allies' offensive, or is merely a local effort.

GERMAN REPORTS.

ATTACKS REPULSED. A. and N Z Cable Association and Renter. Admiralty per Wireless Press. LONDON, February 17. German official messages state:— We repulsed a strong English attack southward of Miraumont. French advances westward of Berry-au-Bac and southward of Ripot failed. Our aeroplanes bombed important establishments behind the front, and blew up several ammunition dumps on the Sommc. LONDON, February 18. A German evening official report slates:—There was strong artillery action on the Ancre in the forenoon. Fresh infantry engagements developed.