LULL FOLLOWS THE STORM AT PASSCHENDAELE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 18, 16 October 1917, Page 5

LULL FOLLOWS THE STORM AT PASSCHENDAELE

ENEMY'S ARTILLERY ACTIVE

DISPATCH FROM THE NEW ZEALAND FRONT By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright • London, October 14. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—"Tho enemy artillery was active during the night north-east of Ypres. We repulsed reconnoitring patrols west of Becelaero and north of I'oelcapolle. We made a successful r'nid in tho neighbourhood of Hul-luch."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Rcuter. . (Kec. October 15, 7.30 p.m.) London, October H. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—"Our Eastern Couniry- troops successfully Taided tho enemy's lines south-east of Monchy-1 c-Prioux. The number of prisoners captured on Friday now totals 913, including forty-ono officers. "A British air patrol on Saturday encountered a German formation double its strength. A determined tight ensued. Four of ours did not return. Our reinforcements, arriving too lato to participate in tho fight, saw several of the enemy's machines falling to tho ground, beyond control."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.Beuter. TRYING ORDEAL FOR THE ANZACS GALLANT ADVANCE IN FACE OF DEADLY FIRE. (Bee. October 15, 9.50 p.m.) London, October 15. Mr. Philip Gibbs writes:—"ln Friday's battle the Anzac troops on tho right flank 'made good.' They Teaehed the edge of a hummock called Crest Farm, and killed the garrison. But the German machine-gunners and riflemen held another knoll beyond Crest Farm, subjecting the Anzacs to a deadly shortrange fire. Yet the Anzacs would have held the ground here if they had been supported on the left, but tho other Anzacs werfi having a bad time in the swamps'. They wijro unablo to make much headway owing to a deadly fire from the higher ground. Kain fell during tho whole time, making the ground even worse than before. The mist thickened, preventing our aeroplanes from directing the guns. ' 'Consequently it was decided not to continue the second stage of tho attack, and fowithdraw the Anzacs on the right centre. The Germans on Friday afternoon opened an intense bai-rago that lasted all night. Tho German defences aro protected by blockhouses, and nil tho machine-guns from tho supporting lines liavo been sent to the front. The enemy has never before massed so many machine-guns on his front. Many of them,aro posted in trees. Never, also, liavo so many riflemen been scattered among tho shell craters. Machinegun firo and rifle fire never ceased for an instant during tho attack. Our men, floundering in the bogs, were unable to keep up with tho barrage, and tho German snipers and gunners shot with a cool aim while our men struggled forward." —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. NEW ZEALANDERS' PART IN THE ATTACK (From tho New Zealand Official War Correspondent, .Captain Malcolm Ross.) ' October lii. The New Zealanders, with other units, took part in the renewed attack on Passehendaele Eidgo at dawn. After a day of sunshine the weather again changed in the JiigM, and the attack started under difficulties in rain and deep sticky mud. In the circumstances, progress was necessarily slow, especially ns tho positions attacked were strongly defended, with machine-gunners in "pillboxes" and behind uncut wire. The'stretchers-bearers never worked, more heroically than they did to-day, their difficulties being increased by, the mud and the long distances over whicli they had to carry the wounded. . THE MILITARY VALUE OF HOUTHULST FOREST By Telegrajh-Prcss Association. Copyright Paris, October 14. Tho newspapers- emphasise the point that the capture of tlic Forest of Houthu.lst is a pre-requisite to the participation of all tho Allies in a great offensive. -Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. ARTILLERY ACTIONS ON THE FRENCH FRONT London, October 14. A French official communique states:—"Tho artillery struggle is fairly lively on the 4.16118 front, especially at the Pantheon, in tbo district of Vauclerc, and on the California I'lateau. ! '—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. (Kec. October 15, 8.10 p.m.) London, October 14. French official communique states:— I "There„is lively artillery activity on Ihe Aisne front, especially on the plateaux region and on the right bank of the Mouse." —Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Fenlcr. GERMAN OFFICIAL .REPORT. f London, October It. A German official report states:—'"Five French counter-attacks north of A'nnclerc Mill (on the Aisne front) failed.'--Aus.-N.Z. Cable'Assn.-I?eutor. .