The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-06-13
BRITISH SEIZE
MILES0F LINE
AND A VILLAGE
Continue Advance in Press
! ing Attacks North of
Messines.
FRENCH RAID TRENCHES
Berlin, in Denying Reports,
Asserts Allies Lost Heav-
lily by Thrusts.

LONDON. June 12.-By a further nota-
ole smash to-day east and northeast OF
Messlnes Sir Douglas Haig's troops
largely extended their gains made in
this section last week. The British
stormed and occupied almost two miles
Of trenches and captured the village Of
Gaspard. Just east of Messines.
The official statement from Berlin tells
OF activity by the British cavalry east of
Messines yesterday. but says that the at
tack was repulsed and only remnants of
the assailing force were able to return
to their positions.
Hais says EneAy's Defeat Certain.
Gen. Haig has issued a special order
of the day. according to the Associated
Press correspondent at British Army
Headquarters, congratulating Gen
Plumer and the entire Second Army
which he commands. and saying that the
complete success OF their attack las'
Thursday is ian earnest of the eventful
final victory OF the allied cause" Gen
Haig emphasizes the fact that the POSI-
ton assaulted was "one OF very grea,
natural strength, on the defences OF
which the enemy had labored inces
sanity for nearly three years" and says
the British casualties for battle oil
such magnitude were gratifyingly light
The full effects of the victory cannot be
estimated yet. but that they will be very
great Is certain.
After detailing the advantage which
the Germans had in possessing the ridge
which gave them foreknowledge Of and
time to prepare for the British attack
Gen. Haig declares that the capture Of
Messines shows nothing can save tn,
enemy from complete defeat and. brave
II Is only question how much Longer
they can endure repetition Of sucf
blows"
To the south French troops success
fully raided German trenches near th'
Butte de Mesnil and In the neighborhoot
OF Haute Chevauchee. doing consider
able damage to the Teuton positions ant
taking prisoners. The artillery OF th'
French and the Germans continues ac
tive along the Chemin des Danes.
Germans Deny Claims.
On the other hand. Berlin declares tina
lve counter attacks directed by th'
French against trenches west OF Germ.
failed with heavy losses, either unde
our fire or In hand to hand fighting.
French reconnoitring thrusts near Ia
hure and Vauauois also failed, accord
ing to the German report.
The Belgians repulsed an attack OF
one OF their advanced trenches south o
Dixmude last night Artillery action
occurred to-day in the Steenstraete ant
Het Sas sector.
The official statements follow:
British (Nlght)-Our TROOPS gained
further ground to-day east and north
/ east of Messines on front OF almost
two miles and occupied the hamlet of
Gaspard.
We also advanced our line slightly
early this morning astride the Souchez
/ River and captured seventeen prison.
ere and three machine guns.
The enemy's artillery has shown
4 considerable activity during the day
northeast OF Gouzeaucourt and north
OF the Scarpe and in the neighbornood
/ OF Lens and Ypres.
British (Day) - We successfully
| raided the enemy's trenches last night
| north of Neuve Chapelle and took
thirteen prisoners Hostile raiding
/ parties were repulsed south of Neuve
/ Chapelle, east OF Armentieres and
north OF Ypres. A number OF the
! enemy were killed and we captured
! few prisoners.