THE FRENCH LINES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12070, 27 July 1917, Page 5

THE FRENCH LINES.

TERRIFIC COMBAT NORTH OF THE AISNE. REPEATED ENEMY ASSAULTS BROKEN. ALL-NIGHT BATTLE AT HIGH MOUNT. The High. Commissioner reports:—. LONDON, July' 26 (3 p.m.). A French official report states:— East of Hurtebise and La Bovelle the enemy, despite-the employment of important forces, was only able by extraordinary efforts to penetrate some elements in our first line to the south of Ailles. Repeated assaults at Hurtebise Farm •yere broken by our fire. At Moni F""*- the Champagne,

fighting all night was arrested bv the valour of our troops. Nort h of A libervilie we penetrated the Overman trenches, inflicting considerable losses. SUCCESS ON THE CHEMIN DES DAMES. FRENCH HOLD ATJ, OBSERVATION POSTS. CROWN PRINCE'S GREAT REVERSE. Australian and X.Z. Cable Association. (Received Julv 27. noon.) PARIS, Julv 26. Mr H. W nrner Allen telegraphs that the success on th> crstern extremity of the Oh em in dos Dames is only comparable to the capture of Douaumont Fort. The French have now regained the whole of the first line positions lost c.n Sunday, and not n single observation post remains in German hands. Oilier correspondents state that the Crown Prince suffered another great reverse. Within ar. hour he lost the ground which had taken the finest German troops five days and nights of intense fighting to secure. The struggle for the California Plateau long remained indecisive. The Germans clung desperately to the northern slops, until a splendid dash by the French routed th? German reinforcements. The attacks at Craonne are part of a deliberate attempt to wear down France, but the hour is coming when the United States will take the field and secure the triumph of the cause for which the Frenchmen died. THE FOE'S HEAVY LOSSES. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association an 1 Reut«r (Received July 27, 12.30 p.m.) PARIS, July 26. A.French communique says:— The Germans resumed their attacks obstinately last night on a front of three kilometres, in the region east of FLirtebise and to the south of La Bovelle. Although they threw largo forces into action, they were only able to penetrate, after incredible effort and with the highest losses, some elements of our first line south of Ailles. Our fire smashed repeated assaults at H'urtebiso Farm and farther south. After an intense bombardment the Germans violently attacked Mont Haut., in the Champagne. The fight lasted all night. We prevented the enemy's advanca. GERMAN TRENCHES ENTERED. Ar '-alian and N.Z. Cable Association and Iteuter. (Received July 27, 2 p.m.) PARIS, July 26. A French communique states:— After lively fighting north' of Auberville we entered the German trenches. There is violent reciprocal artillery firo on the left bank of the Mensie.