FRENCH OFFENSIVE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12083, 11 August 1917, Page 9

FRENCH OFFENSIVE.

AN ENCOURAGING REPORT. ENEMY SUFFERS HEAVY LOSSES. Außtraiian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter. (Received August 11, 2.5 p.m.) LONDON, August 10. A French communique reports:— We continued to progress in Belgium, and occupied at night several farm 3 east of Bixschooto and west of Langeiftarck. A German attack on a front of a kilometre in the Fa jet region north of St Quentin "was broken by our fire and repulsed with loss. Except in the centre, where enemy fractions obtained a footing in a small area of our advanced elements. A recrudescence of the bombardment 'Occurred at night over the whole xe-

gion south of ADemont Filan and north of the Aime. The enemy at dawn violontlv attacked from Pantheon farm to Chevrigny ridtre. Three battalions, supported by storming troops, attempted to assault our lines at various times, but accurate fire stopped the assailants on most of the front, inflicting the heaviest los.se?:. The enemy elements which our trenches were either killed or taken prisoners after hand to hand fighting, in which our men showed admirable clash. We held all our positions. Other Cermaji attempts, notably south of Aille.s and south-east of Chevroux, in the region of Vaufjuois. towards Avocourfc and northwest of Fleirey, also failed under our fire and suffered appreciable losses.