MORE ACTIVITY IN THE WEST

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 25, 24 October 1917, Page 5

MORE ACTIVITY IN THE WEST

ATTACK ON THE ANGLO-FRENCH FRONT IN FLANDERS SATISFACTORY PROGRESS REPORTED London, October 22. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "Early this morning we carried out local attacks astride the Yprcs-Staden railway. The French co-operated on our left. Progress is reported as satisfactory."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Rcuter. AIR ACTIVITY EXTENDING. (Rec. October 23, 10.25 p.m.) „ _ London, October 22. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "Fine weather has improved the visibility for the gunners, anil on Sunday much artillery and observation work was accomplished. Four tons of bombs were dropped 011 the enemy's aerodromes near Courtrai and Koulers, and on a big-gun position near Douai. Three tons were dropped during night-time on the Roulers and Lichterveldo railway stations, where fires were started, as well as at the above-mentioned aerodromes. Ono pilot, reaching tn aerodrome as the enemy's night bombing machines were leaving, dropped bombs amongst them. In heavy air fighting, chiefly well over the enemy's line, sixteen hostile machines were brought down. .Eight of ours are missing, including ono night bomber. The naval air squadrons attached to the Army have been fighting throughout these operations, and accounted for ft large share of tho machines that were brought down. Tho Australian squadrons, which hitherto have been 111 training, liavo commenced nctive work, and already have proved themselves worthy of the high opinion formed of them on their arrival."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Reuter.

PROGRESS AT POELCAPELLE AND HOUTHULST (Rcu. October 23, 7.5 p.m.) London, October L' 2. Correspondents at the front stale Ih at in spito of a thick mist and the enemy's strengthened machine-gun defences the British recaptured fho ruins of the brewery adjoining Poeloapellc. Aftor heavy fighting progress for some liundreds of yards was made near Houthulst Forest and northward of Poelcapelle. A counter-attack involved the enemy in heavy losses. A later message records another fierce counter-attack along the railway. Visibility has improved, enabling our gunners to exact a severe toll from the enemy—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE FRENCH ATTACK* ALL OBJECTIVES CARRIED. London, October 22. A French communique states: "We attacked this morning in Belgium, on tho left of the British Army, on a front of 1100 yards, and captured all our objectives. Wc progressed appreciably north of Voldhock, and took prisoners. Our scouts penetrated the enemy lino at various points south-west of St. Queulin, near Winnojean I'arm, in tho Pantheon region, and at Taliuro (Cham-pagne)."—Aus.-N.Z, (,'ablo Assn.-.Reuter.

(Ecc. October 23, 11.10 p.m.) . London, October 23. A French official communique states: "During the day tho enemy's aj-tiilory reacted feebly in Belgium. Our troops consolidated their positions on the conquered ground north of Veldlioek. In an attack this morning two fields guns were captured. Tho artillery strugglo is violent in the Kpina do Chevrignylanthcon sector, and the Ceruy region. There are fairly lively artillery actions in tho Avocourt Wood, and north of Ohaunto 'Wood. "Between October !1 and October 20 nineteen of the enemy's machines and three Walloons were brought down, anil twenty-eight aeroplanes seriously dam-aged."—Aus.-N./',. Cable Assn.-Reuter. GERMAN OFFICIAL IiEPOHT. London, October 22. A German offioml report states: "Most intense artillery fire was continued ill night between Houthulst Forest and the Ypres-Comincs Canal,- increasing to drumfire this morning. Tho French end British attacked between Draiebank and Poelcapelle."—Aus.-N.Z. CaJjle Assn.-Reut.er. (Eee. October 23, HUS p.m.) London, October 22. A German official report states: "Tho enemy's attaok in Flanders failed, with tho exception of a small gain near Voldhoek, northward of Langeniarck. A British attack on the Jlenin-Ypres road was completely broken. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eoutcr. n NAVAL AIR OFFENSIVE IN FLANDERS London, October 22. The Admiralty reports: "Naval aircraft at noon yesterday bombed tho Vlisseghem and Houttave aerodromes. The bombs appeared to burst accurately. Enemy aircraft attacked tho bombing machines, but all our aeroplanes icturned. Fivo of our scouts, during offensive reconnaissance patrols, engaged twenty hostile scouts. They destroyed two, and drovo down two others. One of our pilots is missing."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. NAVAL BOMBARDMENT OF OSTEND - (Rec. October 23, 9.10 p.m.) London, October 22. ihe Admiralty reports: "Our ships bombarded th® enemy's naval works at Ostend on Sunday. Photographs that iwto subsequently taken show that the results wero satisfactory."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eeuter.