GREAT STRATEGIC GAINS IN THE WEST

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 7, 3 October 1917, Page 5

GREAT STRATEGIC GAINS IN THE WEST

' BEHIND THE VEIL OF HAIG'S NEW OFFENSIVE INTENSE ARTILLERY DUEL ON THE COAST FRONT 1 ' By Tolegraph-PreßS Association- Copyright Washington, October J. It is believed in military circles that when the censorship upon Sir Douglas Haig's new offensive is lifted, great strategic gams will be revealed.-Aus.-Is.Z. Cable Assn. ■* SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S REPORT. London, October 1. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—"There is marked enemy artillery activity east and north of Tpres, and on the Nieuport sector..—Aus.-JN'.A. Cable Assn.-lveuter. (Rec. October 3, 1.45 a.m.) London, October 2. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—"We took prisoner during September 5296 of the enemy including 146 officere; eleven guns, including three heavies, -fifty-seven trench-mortars, and 877 machW-Buns'. Eleven tons of bombs were dropped on the enemy aerodrome at Controde, billots, and communications in the battle area and dumps, and headquarters near Cambrai. The enemy carried out many bombing raids nt night time, but did little damage of military importance. A photograph of the results of the bombing of Controde aerodrome shed disclosed a hit also on fee large machines which had landed in a field three miles to the southward of the aerodrome, two being clearly damaged. A large shetl accommodating Gotbas is reported to have been set on fire last-night. 'Iwelye German machines were brought down. Five of ours are missing. —Aus.-tf.Z. Cable Aesn.-Eeuter.

FURIOUS ATTACKS ON THE NEW BRITISH POSITIONS ' REPULSED WITH HEAVY , CASUALTIES. The High Commis.sioner reports:- „.,'„',„,..' London, October 2, 12.15 a.m. A British official report states:—"This morning the enemy, advancing in three waves madew. powerful attack on a front of a milo against our Jiew positions north of the' Ypres-Menin Boad, but wns driven back in disorder with heavy casualties The enemy twice renewed the attacks with stronger forces, but was , repulsed at all points, except in the south-east comer of Polygon Wood, where he ocoupied two of our advanced posts.

REASONS FOR THE DESPERATE GERMAN ONSLAUGHTS FEARS FOR THE LOSS OF OSTEND AND ZEEBRUGGE. (Eec. October 2, 8.15 p.m.) Washington, October 1. The United States Bureau's (second war statement eays:;-"Gerraany is makinj desperate onslaughts owing to her fear of the .British cutting her lino of communications to the Ostend and Zeehruggo naval bases. The battle on the Memn Boad shows that the Germans' fighting stamina is deteriorahng."-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. " , , ; GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT.' I London, October 1. A. German' official report states:-'Tuero is intense artillery activity on the coast and the Ypres salicnt."-Ai.6.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eouter. ON THE FRENCH FRONT uZec. October 2, 8.35 p.m.) London, October 1. A French official communique reports violent artillery activity on both banks of the Meuse, especially between the. Mense_and Bezonraiix. After a lively bomba-dment of the Forges sector, the Germans attempted to reach our lines, btit our flre easily repulsed them. Another attempt on the ngt.t bank of the Wmißn also failed Twelve of the enemy's aeroplanes wore brought down. Our air squadrons bombed the enemy's railway stations S 0 ™ 11 ' o™*'0™*' cantonments, and works, causing violent fires at Fresnoy-le-Grando."-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.Bcuter. • V ———

THE NAVAL AIR OFFENSIVE IN FLANDERS

UNCEASING ATTACKS CONTINUE. London, October 1. The Admiralty reports:-"Naval aircraft on Saturday night dropped several tons of bombs, with good results, on the look-gates at Zcebrugge, the St. , Dome Western aerodrome, the Thourout aerodrome, works at Bruges, and trams. The bombs caused a large fire at St. Dems Westreni. There were several aerial combats, but all our machines returned. ~.,,',. . , \ German official 'communique states:— British' and Ircncli airmen wrought considerable damage in Belgium, and there were numerous civilian victims. - Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eoulor.

THE 1918 SPRING OFFENSIVE SIX MILLION MEN IN FLANDERS. Washington, October 1. Authoritative information has been received that Hie Allies, including the United States, will open the next spring campaign in Flanders with six million men.—Router. ■ .