THE BATTLE IN THE WEST.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVII, Issue 165563, 15 June 1918, Page 7

THE BATTLE IN THE WEST.

Received 1 a.m., J««q 15th. LONDON, Juno 14 (3 a.m.) A French official report states.— The Germans powerfully counterattacked between Courco-tcs and north of Mury, but were caught 'ay our fire and compelled to retiro to tha'r starting point with heavy losses, without approaching our positions. Material captured in our attacks on the nth included ton guns, of which four wero heavy ones, and numerous machine-guns. Tho day has been quiet between tho Aisne and tho Oise. Tbe enemy south of tho Aisno continued his drivo between the Aisni and tho forest of Villers Cotterets, but was repulsed at most points. Lite enemy gained a footng in tho villii"? of Laversine. All his attempts to debouch from Coeuvrcs and advance west of Ycrtefeville farm completely failed. The enemy did not renew his attacks during the afternoon. The Germans momentarily penetrated our lines north of Corey, but were ejected, and wo restored tUe positions entirely. Tl'hcre is lively nrlillorving in tn». region of tho Ourcq, in tVio direction of Champlnt and La Pontclle. There is quiet elsewhere. SUCOESSFCL BRITISH RAID. Sir Donglas Haig reports that a successful operation in the neighbourhood of Arras yielded 48 prisoners, sis machine-guns, and a trench mortar. GERMAN REPORT. (Admiralty—Per Wireless.) German official.— Strong French counter-attacks south-west of Noyon broke down with hoariest losses. Orei sixty armoured cars are lying on the battlefield. Our prisonors now number 15,000. The enemy captured some of our guns. We attacked south of the Aisno ami drove tho enemy beyond Outry and Dommiers. We clearvd tho enemy out of tho region of Snvicrs, taking 1500 prisoners. THTmsn.vrs attacks. WELL REPULSED. (Rif.li Commissioner's Cable.) LONDON, Juno 14 (0.30 p.m.'i French official —A powerful Gernnn counter-atiaek from Courcellcs to tho north of Mery was hurled back withi eerious losses. South of tho Aisno th«| enemy pressure was largely repulsed, but he gained a footing at LavorsW". All his attempts to debouch at Coucvres and to advance west of Vorirefuille farm completely failed. AIRMEN'S NEW ACHIEVEMENT. Telegrams } Received 7.55 p.m., Juno 14th. Router's correspondent at French Headquarters states: —Tho important role played by our air force in the l»attle is daily increasing. During the fighting light bomlmrdment squadrons performed the unprecedented feat c> attacking German heavy gun 'iatterles in action, silencing them, and killing and scattering tho gunners. In tho Pieanlv offensive our fighting planes repeatedly attacked field gun batteries with roachine-guns, but silencing heavy ! gnns by bomb attacks from tho a;r is a new achievement.

BATTLE FOR COMPIF.GXE. "The Times." Received 11.45 p.m., Juno 14th. 1-OXDON", Juno 13 (11 p. in A Mr Gerald Campbell, writing in the "Daily Mail," state*:—Tho battle, rasing on a fifty roilo front, from Rufcoceurt to Bussieres, liaa contimiixl uninterruptedly since yesterday. On the Marno tho battlo for Compiogue holds the stage. SITUATION WELL IN HAND. Tho French stopped a most dangerous thrust, striking at Comp»ogno from the north. They firmly hold the energy from Mory to the Mats river. General Foch and Genera! Petain hnvo the situation u-cll iu band.

DARING ITALIAN NAVAL FEAT, BAD TIME FOR SUBMARINES. FRENCH SUCCESS IN MACEDONIA. press Association—By Tel.—Copyright.

FURTHER PRAISE FOR AIR, ARM. Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn. I Received 0.10 a.m. f Juno 15th. ' PARIS, June 13. A marked feature of Wednesday's fighting, when the Germans' massed attacks mado determined 'out unsuccessful efforts to regain ground captured by tho French counter-attacKS, was the co-operation of Allied airmen, fl.ving low, and bombing and machinegunning the enemy troops, especially in tho narrow defilo of the Matz, which is piled with doad. The strucglo was the fiercest round Belloy and tho adjoining woods, wbero wo captured an outwork. Dc{y-e6sod prisoners, refuging in cellars and vaults, wero taken at Bcl.'oy.