THE BRITISH COUP AT PASSCHENDAELE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 39, 9 November 1917, Page 5

THE BRITISH COUP AT PASSCHENDAELE

ENEMY LOSES A VALUABLE POSITION

HARD FIGHTING NORTH OP THE VILLAGE

London, November 7.

Sir Douglas Haig reports: "The Canadians' operations in tho morning were completely successful against tho defences in and around Passchoudaele and the spur north and north-west. After a succssful nseombty, the assault was launched at six o'clock as arrangod. The enemy had been ordered to hold this important position in the main ridge at all costs. Thore was hard fighting at a number of points, particularly on the high ground northward of tho village and for a collection of fortified buildings and strong points on Goudberg Spur. Nevertheless, the troops mado steady progress, and captured at an early hour Passchcndaolo villngo and Mosselmam and Goudberg hamlets, and gained all their objectives. before midday, besides a number of prisoners. It rained at intorvals. Our guns aro dealing effectively with the enemy's batteries and concentrations of infantry. The Liverpool troops made a wicoossfnl raid north-west of Queant (eleven miles west of CambTai). We aro consolidating tho positions gained yesterday — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assu.-Keuter.. (Rec. November S, 10.85 p.m.) London, Novomber 8. Sir Douglas Haig reports-. "We havo continued, undisturbed, organising our new positions at Passoliendaelo, and on- the high ground in the neighbourhood. There has been no German reaction, in spite of the great importance the enemy attached to the locality. Four hundred prisoners were taken yesterday, includ; ing twenty-one officers. Our losses in this highly-successful operation wcro light. -Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eeuter.

" SITTING TIGHT" IN THE VILLAGE

London, Novomber 7. In spite of tho Germans' orders to contest every inch of ground and to retake tho ridge positions immediately, tho Canadians aro to-day sitting tight in J assohendaele, thirty hours after its capture; and our gains olsewhero have been maintained. Tho enemy several times massed for concentrations, but our barrages

checked Princo Eupprccht's stormors beforo they had fairly got away. Tito night lias been quiet along tho now batUefront. There wag eomo gas-shelling in tho Manobeck Valley, and tho enemy fiholled tho ground heavily cast of tho Polygon Wood all day. Tho Germans also sliellcd tho battory. areas, but tho infantry showed little inclination to prolong tho battle. Ham is falling this morning, under which tho rain-soaked Canadians aro grimly grinning on both sides of tho slippery ridge.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. CANADIANS ENCOUNTER FEEBLE RESISTANCE London, November 7. Sir. Percival Phillips writes: "A feature of tho capture of Passchendaele was tho weal: resistance of tho troops opposing tho Canadians. Tho 11th German Division, composed of hardy Breslau battalions, was ordered to 'hold on ; at all costs." Many men surrendered; moro ran away; and none stood their ground. Tho Canadians advanced more than two thousand yards. Twenty minutes after tho attack was launched tho Canadians were rooting out the occupants of the cellars in Passchendaele. When tho Gonnans sought to fly down tile slopes, tho Canadians brought up Lewis guns and killed tho fugitives. Our airmen were masters of tho sky, and swarmed above tho German lines. A few enemy aeroplanes wore quickly driven off."*-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ACTIVITY ON THE AMERICAN FRONT Washington. November 7. Advices from Franco state that artillery firing continues fairly activo in the American sector—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT London, November 7. A German official report states: "There was desperate fighting in Flanders resterday. Tho enemy penetrated Passchendaele. Wo retook the eastern, portion of the village. Strong attacks against Becelaero and Ghehivelt failed."— Aus.-N.Z. 1 Cablo Assn. ON THE FRENCH FRONT GERMAN ATTACK ON THE MEUSE REPULSED. London, November 7. _ A French official communique states: "A violent bombardment in the region of Chaunie Wood, on the right of the Mouse, was followed by an enemy attack. Our fire drovo back the assailants, who were unablo to reach our lines."—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eeuter. ■ • , c A COUP IN ALSACE. iHec. November 8, 10.35 p.m.) London, November S. A French official communique state*: "There has been, reciprocal artillery activity north of the Aisne, in, tho Filain and Chavignon sectors, and on the right bank of tho Mouse, in' tho region of Chaumo Wood. AVo mado a successful attack on tho German positions north-west, of Altkircb. (Alsace), taking a number of prisoners."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eeuter. THE AIR OFFENSIVE ,■ '" (Rec. November 8, 10.35 p.m.) London, November 8. The Admiralty reports: aircraft last night dropped large quantities of explosives on the Thoront and the Lichtervelde railway stations,- obtaining several direct hits. All returned."-Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Eeuter.