THE FRENCH LINES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12067, 24 July 1917, Page 2

THE FRENCH LINES.

GEKMANS ATTACKING. REPULSED IN VERDUN REGION. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter. PARIS, July 22. A French communique says:—There was a violent enemy bombardment on • the Aisne front from Chovrigny Spur • to south of Corbeny. Tho Germans at : daybreak powerfully attacked, with . fresh troops brought up the previous evening, between Hurtebise and tho " i'Daseinates Plateau. Tho hostile waves . ; -Df assault -were shattered by our firo ■'and were thrown back on tli«ir own

persed enemy masses south of the Ailette -with severe losses. Simultaneously our troops brilliantly repelled violent attacks on tho Casemates and California Plateau. The artiLlery duel continues with redoubled intensity oh the whole region. The enemy is most active at night time on both banks of tho Meuse. There were lively artillery duels in the regions of Avocourt and B-ezonvaux, and the whole of the St Mihiel sector. The Germans attacked at two points north of Bezonvaux, but after a sharp fight we completely drovo them out of some elements wherein they had gained a footing. Two enemy attempts to rench our trenches on the heights of the Mouse at Bouchot Wood and near Chevaliers Wood failed. FIERCE FIGHTING CONTINUES. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Renter. LONDON, July 22.

A French communique; says The battle continued all day long -nith extreme violence in the region Hurtehiso and Craonne. Observers located numerous German batteries. The ivholo of principal efforts were directed against the Casemates and California Plateaux, which powerful effectives incessantly attacked, our troops resisting with admirable bravery, nnr] vigoro;isly counter-attacking. The enemy Avar, thrown back often from the Casemates, to which he had clung, with enormous losses. The enemv obtained a fcothold on the California Plateau in the first line trenches during the afternoon. Fighting continues desperately. The artillery fire was lively in Champagne and on the left bank of the Meu.se. ENEMY REPORTS. Australian and Iv.Z. CabTa Association and Router. LONDON. July 22. A wireless German official messago says:—The enemy's fighting activity has increased generally & on the "West front. We successfully penetrated the French positions between Braye and Cerny. THE EARLIER FIGHTIXG. Renter's Tel?<nams. LONDON, July 22. Renter's correspondent at the French Headquarters, describing the attack on a four milei front en the, Chamin des Dames sector, on July IS, when the 50th Division of the Prussian Guards, composed of picked battalions, participated, and were repulsed, says that everywhere along i'he crest, the Germans have only a, stone's throw to climb to reach tho French front line. Some places th" lines are only fifteen yards apart, tho French hanging almost vertically over the Germans. Tho latter obtained a single success at. one point because it. was practically imnossible for the French artillery to protect their own front line. A desperate hand-to-hand conflict raged all night, but the enemy was driven out. of all his momentary gains bv morning-