ANOTHER BRITISH ATTACK

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3197, 22 September 1917, Page 7

ANOTHER BRITISH ATTACK

FEARFUL STORM OF BATTLE IMPORTANT POSITIONS GAINED ENEMY'S LOSSES UNUSUALLY HEAVY COUNTERING THE SUBMARINES A REASSURING STATEMENT A tremendous battle has-opened in Flanders, the British attacking on a front of eight miles east of Ypres. Following up an artillery preparation of unprecedented depth and enormous power, the attacking troops broke rapidly into the enemy's fortified front, penetrating a depth of a mile. As a result of .the splendidly effective artillery work their losses, it is stated, were light. A number of German counter-attacks have ueen smashed. A French semi-official report etates that an intense German bombardment on the Aisne, Champagne, and Verdun fronts apparently presages an enemy offensive. According to a London message it can be stated on official authority that developments during the past mouth justify growing confidence in tho counter-offensive against the submarines. The American Secretary for AVer states that Estimates now being submitted to Congress will help to equip and supply an army of 2,300,000 men during tie next year. A French correspondent at Petro. grad declares that M. Kerensky is aiming at complete civil and military control, and that he may be proclaimed President of the\Ru6sian Eepublic, BRITISH. ATTACK ON EIGHT-MILE FRONT IMPORTANT POSITIONS GAINED ENEMY TROOPS SUFFER HEAVY LOSSES By Telegraph-Press Association. Copyright London, September 20. Sir Douglas Haig reports:""We attacked this morning on a wide front east of YprcH. . Satisfactory progress is reported, and we have already captured valuablo positions."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aasn.-Reuter. 1 (Kec. September 20, 9.10 p.m.) London, September 20. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "In tlie attack this morning eastward of Ypres, on a front of eight miles, between the" Ypies-Coinines Canal and the Ypres-Staden railway, great success attended our troops. .Positions of considerable military importance were won, and heavy casualties inflicted. Wβ assembled tho attackingregiments without incident, despite a steady rainfall during the night. The fii'tit objectives wero captured at an early hour, including a number of concreted strong points and fortified farms, for tho possession of which thero had been, previous heavy fighting. North Country regiments carried. Inverness Copse, and the Australians stormed Glencorso Wood and Nonnobo'schen, Scottish ana South Airican brigades took Potsdam and Vampir and Borey Farms. West Lancashire Territorials carried Iberian Farm and a strong point known as "Gallipoli." We then advanced' our assault to tho final objectives. English country troops on our right reached their final objectives after sharp fighting in the woods northward of the Ypres-G'oniines Canal. North. Country and Australian battalions in the centre penetrated the enemy's positions to a depth of over a mile, and captured the wnole of their objectives, including the liamlet of Veldhoek and the western portion of the Polygene Wood. Further north, Zevenkok was captured, and London and Highland Territoriale carriod the eecond line of farms, including Hose Faim, Quenec Farm, and Wust Farm, on the line of final objectives. The weather this morning cleared, and our aeroplanes were able to take an active part in the battle, indicating positions for our troops and reporting a hostile concentration to our artillery. Thus a number of German counter-attacks were broken, and others were repulsed by our infantry. The prisoners exceed two thousand. We captured a few guns. Ten German machines were brought down, and seven of ours are missing."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assu.-Eeuter. ALL FIRST OBJECTIVES CAPTURED UNUSUALLY HEAVY.GERMAN LQSSES. ' New York, 'September 20. The United Press reports: An unprecedented barrage preceded the advance of the'infantry, who 6oon entered Ir.ve"nes3 Wood, Glencorse Wood, and Nonnebosches Wood. German artillery retaliated especially heavily on the right of the Anzaca The German losses were unusually heavy. ■■■ The Bnti6h captured all : heir first-objectives, and are still advancing. Batches of prisoners are arriving. The Germans are stubbornly resisting from dug-outs and machine-gun emplacements. The British have reached the line of Zonnebeke and Gneiuvelt.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eeuter. [Zonnebeke is five miles east-nor&east of Ypres, and GheTurelt three niite further south.] BRITISH GRIT AND SKILL TRIUMPH OVER GERMAN TACTICS ■ A DISASTEOUS SURPRISE FOR THE ENEMY. (Eec. September 21, 11.35 p.m.) ' London, September 21. Tie "Horning Post's" correspondent says a series of strong positions hare, been captured by the British, who advanced to a depth of a mile and reached Zonnobeke. The prisoners taken probably number n. thousand. The infantry are fighting triumphantly, and the casualties are of the lightest I'Siture. Mr. Phillips writes: "The greatest battle intensity is between Saint Tulien and the cemetery at Hollebeke, where thu greatest gains were uinile. The British are fighting with the utmost enthusiasm, and beyond the broken forests they swept over a more broken area of fortified fiirme and innumerable 'pill-boxes.' It is a very.complete triumph for the infantry, which never attacked wit 1 ) more.determination and vigour; for the artillery, which furnished the finest set of barrage.? yet seen, and for the men behind who planned the disastrous surprise for the enemy. It is a triumph of mea over concrete, of guns over 'pill-boxes,' of British grit and' skill over Gorman tactics. The result of the day's struggle is that our line is placed on better ground beyond the many barriers which confronted us for so long. Tho most important gains are, between Hollebeke and Westhoek, (southward of the Ypres-Koulers railway, along a stretch of open, farm land. Thence northward, the; fighting has progressed around and beyond the high ground on cither side of the Zonnebekc-Langemarck Eond." Enemy Warned to Expect British Assault. "An important element in tne defence was a series of fortified farms, which wero heavily bombed. The surviving machine-gun crews then emerged and were taken prisoner. Schnler Farm hitherto had be«n regarded as impregnable, being surrounded by water on three sides and flanked by Schuler Gallery and a long line of 'pill-boxes' arranged to meet attacks in several directions'. These points were the scene of heavy fighting. A regimental order found on prisoners shows ffiat the garrisons of these advanced forts were warned at 1 o'clock in the morning To expect a British assault. German batteries between 1 and 2 o'clock heavily bombed this portion of the British front. South of Schuler Farm the prisoners slate T.iat tho attack was unexpected. All tho evidence shows that the German command'were aware that trouble was imminent, but weco unable to ascertain the extent of the attacking front. Zonnebcko Redoubt, a massive concrete structure at tho fork of the railway and road, was sformed after some trouble. The capture of tho redoubt midway between Westhoek and Zonnebeke was effected by flanking parties bombing and shattering the doors. Tho remnants of tho garrisons then surrendered. The Germans only_ resisted when they thought their shelters were shellproof- and bomb-proof. Tighting in the woofleo , country in the centre of tho attack proceeded as satisfactorily as the fighting northward, but progress was slower owing fo mud and water, and masses of broken (Tmuers. Wo were through the Glencorse Wood and Nonneboschen Tiefore 8 o'clock. The most difficult task in this sector Tjofell the troops south of Inverness Copse, where the mud was deep and full oT broKen wire, and there was lmicn machine-gun fire. Nevertheless this difficult region was cleared, and we gained Tower Hamlets before the time anticipated. New Front Well Established. "Our new front was well established before noon, and fighting is urcressing beyond. It has been a day of hard fighting, and there is more to come, The enemy is massing for the counter-attack, hurrying along roads in omnibuses. Our gunners are Teady for them. All our troops partaking in tlio battle were specially trained to. meet, the now German tactics, and succeeded to everyone's satisfaction. The men went ovor without their packs and other heavy Sit, The change was ot great bonefit, especially in the heavy ground. They wero able to attack the 'pill-boxes 1 in a sort of skirmishing style. Tim 'pillboxes' had given them previously many a bad time, and pessimists predicted that they would kill any infantry advance. Our new tactics, however, killed . the 'pill-boxes" instead. An instance of the lightness of our casualties is ehowu by the fact that one battalion, advancing on a five hundred yards' front in forest aid diflicultground, hadcnly three wounded. Inariother case a company had only fire, casualties.'-'—Aue.-N.Z. CableAssn.

WALLS OF FLYING STEEL

ENEMY liVFANTRY ATTACKED BY "AERIAL CAVALRY,"

London, September 20. The United Press reports: The British attacked heavily on-a long front, of which the centre is on the Ypres-Menin lioad. There was Berca fighting at Inverness Copse, (jlencorfie Wood, Nomicbotiches Wood, and the Nunburton Lakes. The. battle began at 5.J0 a.m. The- ground was muddy from heavy showers which had fallen overnight; the clouds were only six hundred feet high, and the wind blew at thirty miles an hour. Five barrages were, put up, forming five walls of flying steel. These kept waving backwards and forwards like a complicated loom, barrage passing tnrough barrage, and Ihe whole zone of destruction crept steadily forward. Any prisoners taken must have conic from dug-outs, for nothing; could live through such a storm. Tho troop 3in the centre followed the barrage up the heights towards the hamlet and ridge of the famous Polygono Wood. The airmen advanced with the infantry, attacking from an altitude of 500 feet and less; sometimes swooping down until the wheels of their machines seemed to touch ilie Gei-man helmets, and firing machine-guns as they flew. "Aerial Cavalry" is an appropriate name for tho airmen, who have definitely engaged tlio infantry according to a pre-arranged plan. The enemy is keenly alive to tho importance of tho heights facing the centre of tho attack, which they are making a desperate effort to retain. The Germane, , suspecting the attack, had moved a coiisiderablo nuni\er of troops forward. These were caught in our fire. Tanks wero used sparingly, owing to the ground being unfavourable; but they wero not necessary, as the artillery preparation was of. greater depth than ever before in the -war.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eeuter. "GREAT AND GLORIOUS DAY FOR THE ARMY*" - GROUND WON OF HIGH STRATEGICAL IMPORTANCE. (Kec. September 21, 11.30 p.m.) London, September 21. Reuters correspondent at Headquarters states: "A large percentage of the prisoners captured in the latest push are young, chiefly Bavarians. A. messenger dog captured bore a message ordering that the high ground towards Molenaarelsthoek must be recaptured at all costs, and ordering all guns of po&iblo iango to concentrate thereon. The work of consolidating is strenuously progressing under the protection of a. _ heavy barrage. The ground won is of vital tactical and of high strategical importance. The clay has been a great and glorious oho for the armies in Handera. ,, —Renter. PRAISE FOR NEW ZEALAND BRIGADE PREPARES GOOD COMMUNICATION LINES. (Kec. September 21, 9.10 p.m.) London, September 20. Keuter's correspondent, describing fie latest British advance, snys: "Considering the circumstances communication was good. .Credit for this is due to the New Zealand Brigade, which, during a comparatively short period of preparation preceding the attack, buried over 30,000 feet of telegraph table so deeply as to defy any 6helliug. By the devotion of thevariious divisions in remaining in tho line longer than usual, it was possible to put a more than nominally large proportion of fresh troops into this attack."—Keuter. GERMAN BOMBARDMENTS ON FRENCH FRONT 1 AN ENEMY ATTACK STOPPED BY ARTILLERY FIRE. Paris, September 20. A semi-official report fflafes that the German bombardments on tho Aisne, Champagne, and Verdun'fronts have already lasted for twenty-four hours, and nre apparently the presago of an enemy offensive.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Eec. September 21, 9.10 p.m.) London, September 21. A French communique states: "After a violent bombardment an enemy attack south-east of Cerny was stopped by onr lire, and did not succeed in reaching our lines."—Aus.-N,Z. Cable Assn.-Eeuter. GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT. London, September 20. Admiralty, per Wireless Press.—A German ofiicial report slates: "After a. most violent iira between tho Houthoulst Wood and the L.ys Kiver, the English launched strong attacks on a broad front at daybreak. I'rench attacks yesterday near Hill SU (east, of the Meuse) were unsuccessful, Wo brought down twenty aeroplanes."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Hec. Septomber 21, 5.20 p.m.) London, September 21. 'A' German report states: "The battle it in full swing on the English front from L-ingemarck to Hollebeke. There has been bitter fluctuating fighting all day in the foremost part of our defensive zone."—Atis.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Rcuter.