THE FRENCH VICTORY ON THE AISNE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 35, 5 November 1917, Page 5

THE FRENCH VICTORY ON THE AISNE

ENEMY COMPELLED TO ABANDON THE CHEMIN-DES-DAMES GERMAN POSITIONS ON NORTHERN SLOPES OCCUPIED Br Telegraph—Press Aesocuition-Ooprrieht (Ecc. November 4, 5.5 p.m.) London, November 3. ■ A French communique states: "Results of tho victory at Malmaison are not slow in showing themselves,. Threatened on his Tight, pressed by our infantry, and crushed by our artillery, which unceasingly bombarded tho organisations south of Ailette from our nor positions, the enemy was compelled to nbandon the Cheinin-des-Bames, to which lie had been clinging for the past six months, on a front of twenty kilometres (about 12J miles), from Froidmont I arm to, a uost east of Craonne. Our troops, dcsconding tho northern slopes ot tho Chomm-les-Dames, occupied the German positions to ft depth exceeding a kilometre [live-eighths of a mile) in certain places. Tho villages of Courtecon, Cerny-on-Laonnois Ailles, and Chevereux aro in our hands. Patrols are keeping in contact with the'enemy, and havo reached tho Ajlette, between Braye-en-Laonno and Oerny."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter... FRENCH REACH SOUTHERN BANK OF THE AILETTE HEAVY CAPTURES OF GUNS.. ' (Rec, November 4, 5.10 p.m.) London, November 3. A French communique states: "During the night we continued to advance jetweon the Oieo Canal and the region of Courany We havo reached the southern X of the River Ailetto along our entire front. The enemy fell back on tho lorthern front, the bridges and passages to .which ha,ve been cut. lhe artilenr struggle has continued lively in tho Chayignon. sector, and at eomo pomte in the region of the plateaux. Among the material captured since October 23 re heavy guns ami field gun*. 222 trench guns and 720 machine .guns Violent artillery firing continues on tho right bank of the Meuse. During the ten lays of October, 51 enemy aeroplanes were brought down. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable issn.-Eeutar, ORGANISING THE NEW GROUND ON THE AILETTE vlTec. November 5, 0.30 a.m.) London, November 4. A French 'communique states: "We are organising our new ground on tho Ailette front. The artillery duel continues at, Chemin-des-Dames. In tho battle 3f Jlalmaison French airmen brought down 16 Gorman machines, ihey havo engaged in Gil air fights. Fifty German machines crashed in their own lines. •■Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Awn.-Rcuter. TIE GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT. (Rec. November 4, 5.5 p.m.) London, November 3. A German official'report states: "Unnoticed and undisturbed we last night withdrew our lines 1 from the hilly front of the Chemin-des-Dames. -Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. BRITISH FURTHER IMPROVE THEIR POSITION GREAT ARTILLERY AND AERIAL ACTIVITY. London, November 2. Sir Dou"las Haig reports: "Wo slightly improved our position south and west of Passchendaele, and south-east of Poeljapelle. Tho Lincolnshires and T inquires made a successful raid east of Vermelles and east of Shrewsbury Forest.' There is great activity by hostile artillery east of Ypres. J —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. November 4, 5.5 p.m.) London, November 3. Sir Douglas reports: "There has been great mutual artillery work and aerial activity in drizzling weather."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. ENEMY ATTACKS NEAR PASSCHENDAELE REPULSED. (Rec. November 5, 0.30 a.m.) London, November 4. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "We repulsed this morning attacks to the south <Ind the west of Passchendaele, where the enemy captured an advanced post. We retook it in the afternoon. The enemy artillery is aotive to the north of Ypres. The weather is interfering with flying."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. HEROIC CONDUCT OF THE ARTILLERY BATTERIES DRAGGED THROUGH' SEAS OF MUD. (Rec. November 4, 5.5 p.m.) London, November 2 Mr. H. P. Robinson pictures the ceaseless strain and the heroic conduct of the artillery on the Western front. "Batteries are dragged for miles through seas of shell-torn mud and incessant rain," he says, "the soldiers carrying the ammunition, as it is impossble for mules or ponies to do the work. Guns and men alike are unprotected from the weather, and sleep on waterproof sheets spread un slime. They Iwlt food heated at munition-boxes, and fall into a weary stupor. Officers drop asleep while giving commands. Grey, bitter days succeed bitterer nights. Despite the enormous physical strain, the men face all dangers with light-hearted contempt. Never havo mon better deserved their country's thanks."-"The Times." VIOLENT ARTILLERY STRUGGLE ON BELGIAN FRONT . , London, November 3. A Belgian communique states: there is a violent artillery struggle, especially beforo Dixmude. We made several direct hits on enemy batteries and works. — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FIRST AMERICAN TROOPS IN THE TRENCHES SUFFER NO LOSSES. (iiec. November 4, 5.10 p.m.) <now > ow York, November 3. Am«ric»n Headquarters in Franco reports: "Thefirst American troops in the trenches have been rolioved by other battalions. Ihoy suffered no losses."—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. A GERMAN CLAIM. (Rec. November 4, 5.5 p.m.) London, Novomber 3. A German ©fficial report states: "We look prisoner a number of Americans along the Rhino-Marne Canal. '-Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn,-Router, i