Evening star., 1918-08-17
OFFICIAL WAR REPORTS.
BRITISH.


August 1.-THE pressure Of our
north of the Ancre continued and
progress has been made by US In
both sectors.
In the neighborhood Of vieux Ber-
yesterday and further encounters
took place during last night. Our
troops made progress in this sector
and in the neighborhood of Merris and
have taken prisoners.
The hostile artillery has shown con-
and Scherpenberg and in the vicinity
OF zillebeke lake.
August 16 (Night) even
Ing the enemy launched a strong
counter attack against our new po-
sitions at Damery. His troops were
leaving over $50 prisoners and num-
ber of machine guns in our hands->
Today our advanced troops In this
locality have pushed forward in CO.
operation with the French and have
made substantial progress In the di-
Fransart. We have taken a few pris-
oners.
On the remainder of the British
front there is nothing to report except
artillery activity on both sides IN
different sectors.
number Of combats was not great.
Four hostile machines were destroyed
by our airmen and two German oo-
servation balloons were shot down IN
flames. Five hostile machines were
driven down out of control. one Oh
our airplanes Is missing.
Much reconnaissance work and
good deal OF observation for artillery
fire was successfully accomplished
during the day. The total weight OF
bombs dropped by US in the course OF
the twenty-four hours announced 70
twenty-five and one-half tons. TWO
German airdromes were heavily at
tackled, as we'll as several OF tne
enemy dumps and railway connec-
tions. All our night bombing machihes
returned safely.
Aerial (Night).
During the period of August to
Is royal air force contingents work
ing with the navy have carried out
large number of bombing raids on
military objectives with good results
In all approximately sixty tons OF
bombs have been dropped ON the Zee
brugge and Ostend docks. the Vars
senaere airdrome. the La Brugoise
Blaankenberg and Middelkerke. as
well as on many enemy batteries and
biIlets. As a result Of the attack on
the Varssenaere airdrome six ma
chimes that were lined up were set on
fire and a fire started among the
hangers on both sides of the air
drome Two Gotha hangers were
hit and one demolished. Large petrol
dumps also were set on fre. Fires
were observed burning three hours
later.
On the 11th, as previously reported,
a German airship was sighted In the
North sea and attacked by one OF our
machines.
After a short engagement the enemy
airship fell in flames from a great
height. Enemy shipping also has
been attacked successfully and a di-
rect hit was observed on hostile
destroyer, after which other vessels
closed around the damaged ship. On
the return journey when about eight
miles. from the scene big explosion
was seen to occur.
During the engagements that have
taken place sixteen enemy machines
and one captive balloon were de-
stroyed and fifteen machines driven
dowr out Of control. Three Of our
machircs failed to return.
In home waters during the same
period continuous anti-submarine and
nti-hostile aircraft patrols have been
maintained by eeaplanes, airpianes
and airships. Submarines have been
sighted and attacked and mines To-
|cuteo and destroyed. AL our ma
chimes have returned.