THE FRENCH FRONT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11757, 22 July 1916, Page 9

THE FRENCH FRONT.

REPORT OF OPERATIONS. ENEMY ATTACKS REPULSED. AERIAL ACTIVITY. The Higli Commissioner reports LONDON, July 21 (3.13 p.m.) Tho French official report says that southwards of the Somme the enemy yesterday counter-attacked our new positions south of Bovecourt. An as T saulting battalion was caught under our, curtain fire and mitrailleuses and retired in disorder, suffering very heavy loss&s. • The night was calm on both sides of the Somme. In the region of Cliaulmes a strong enemy detachment which attempted to reach our lines south- of Ma-court was repulsed with tho bayonet. Botween Soissons, and Rheims our reconnaissances, after a favourable mine explosion, penetrated an adversary trench, which was then swept clear with grenades. On the Verdun front there is great artillery activity in tho sectors Chattancourt and Floury. In the "Vosges, following a violont bombardment, the enemy attempted to attack our positions northwards of Weissenbach, but were successfully checked. During yesterday and last night our aerial squadrons bombed several important points on the enemy front, including the stations at Conflans, Mars-la-Tour, Longuyon, Brieullers Junction and Ham, where numerous heavy projectiles were dropped. (hi the 17th, 18th and 19th the open towns of Baccarat and were bombardeds by the enemy's squadrons but the damage done was immaterial. Reprisals will be taken.