THE WESTERN FRONT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 42, 13 November 1917, Page 5

THE WESTERN FRONT

SATURDAY'S BRITISH COUP

DESCRIBED

TERRIFIC BOMBARDMENT BY THE GERMANS

London, November 11. Sir Douglas Haig reports"Henry ram- is falling. There is hostile artillery action against our positions at Passcheudaele ami the ground captured north of the village, but 110 infantry action."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Roc. November 12, 10.45 p.m.)

London, November 12. Sir Douglas Ilaig reports:—We repulsed, with loss, a raid westward of Lens. 1 lie organisation of tho ground captured on Saturduy continues. Aviation is restricted owing to rain."—Aub.-N.Z. Cable A6sn.-IJeu.ter.

HEAVY ACTIONS ON THE FRENCH FRONT

(Rec. November 12, 10.20 p.m.)

London, November 11. A French official communique states:— Incessant reciprocal artillery firing has prevailed; and continues at Chauma Wowv A violent attack on Hartmannsweaer, in the Vosges, was completely repulsed. Another attac kat Reichnckor Kopf was foiled. A pretty lively nrlil- [® r 3' struggle ia preceding in Belgium, on the Papegoud sector, the right bank of the Mouse, tho region of Hill 344, and the Bois le Chaumc."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Aesn.-Eeuter.

THE GERMAN REPORT,

(Rec. November 12, 10.30 p.m.) London, November 11. A Gurman official report states: "Hie English fivo times attacked the craterland between Polecanelle and Paschendaele. They penetrated onr centre, but were thrown out with hoavy losses. An English attack north-westward of Paschendaele sanguinarily collapsed.—Aus,N.Z. Cable Assn.-Router.

SATURDAY'S BATTLE

HARD FIGHT IN THE RAIN. • (Rec. November 12, 9.30 p.m.) London, November 11. Mr. Philip Gibbs reports:—"The German resistance on Saturday was u.ore desperate than the battlo for Passohendaele. ' The Germans used all their batteries for miles around, concentrating a most deadly fire on our outer lines on the Passchendaele Heights. Tho British traversed this storm oi shells. They took few prisoners, but killed many, owing to : tho enemy's stubborn resistance. The English, _ Irish, and Canadian attack succeeded in widening our defensive positions upon tho Passchendaele lodge, driving the enemy further down the faT side. The weather was dismal, and there was hard fighting among the blockhouses all day long in the rainThe enemy has regrouped his guns since our capture of the crest, and his artillery, answering onr barrago on Saturday, was extremely violent. Our infantrymen, declare thar. tliey have seen nothing like it during tho previona attacks. It was a frightful spectacle, and wo marvelled at their escaco from such a hurricane of high explosives. We reached the enemy's 'pill-boxes, where some of. the Germans fought at eloso quarters. The Canadians upon the right had better ground than the English, who wero lower down and had a hard time coming .up tho slopes against the blockhouses, which wero fiercely resisting. There wore numerous counter-nttnelcs from the direction of West Roosebeck, and these drove back some of our outE° j-rr Tl, ° lieaTT Celling. coupled with the difficulty of holding a defensive flank, compelled the Canadians later to withdraw from some of their foremost positions, but tho key to Passchendaele and its neighbourhood is securely held. The Canadians have had nn anxious time After six sleepless days and nights they went forward gallantly, determined to take the crests at all costs. Tito commander says the men were line."—Aus - N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE AIR OFFENSIVE

London, November 11. . ? Admira ty reports :-"Tho Air Servico bombed St. Denis—'Westrem and the Bruges Docks on Friday niffht, and droppedlargei quantities of explosives with' good results. AH the machines return-od."-Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Ronter.

THE ROUND-UP IN EAST AFRICA

BIG HAUL. (Rec. November 12, 7.45 p.m.) London, November 11. An official report from East Africa states:— Between October 23 and November 8 the British sooth-east of Mahengo dmo the enemy to the eastward, ihe enemy has evacuated Ngangira, and is retreating towards Liwale. Our advanco continues in the Lukled Tailor. IJio enemy abandoned war material, including a naval 4-inch gun.'V-Aus -N Z Cablo Assn.-Router. ' ' '