THE EVE OF THE BLOW IN THE WEST

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 129, 18 February 1918, Page 5

THE EVE OF THE BLOW IN THE WEST

INDICATIONS POINT TO GREAT GERMAN EFFORT

ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO REACH CALAIS

...'., New York, February 15. The New York "World's" Paris correspondent reports: "There is every indication that we are on the , eve of a great German offensive on the West front!"—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

GERMAN NAVAL CO-OPERATION DISCUSSED,

Paris, February 15. M. Marcel Hctin, discussing the .po ssibihty of a German naval attempt to land on the coast near Calais in conjunction with the land offensive, states that the British Navy is vigilantly watching the sea front, and ardently desires that such an attempt may be made.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S REPORTS

(R*c. February 17, 5.5 p.m.)

• London, February 15. Sir Douglas Eaig reports: "There has been hostile artillery firing between Gouzeaucourt and the Scarpe River, and also on the Lens tector and north-east of Ypres. In spite of unfavourable conditions yesterday our aeroplanes used their machine-guns on an enemy convoy and troops, flying ittt a low altitude."

London, February 16. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "Tho carried out a successful taidin the neighbourhood of the Ypros-Staden railway. The hostile artillery is active northwards of Lens and opposite La Bassee and WytschaeEe."— !Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.

(Res. February 18, 0.25 a.m.)

London, February 17. Sir Douglas Haig reports :—"Enemy raids on La Vacquerie and Cherisy led to sharp fighting. We inflicted a number of casualties. Hostile artillery is more, active in the Cambrai, Lens, and Passchendaole neighbourhoods. i\Ve bombed the Menin railway station, sidings, aerodromes, and billots."— 'Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn.-Reuter.

ON THE NEW ZEALAND FRONT

(Special' Dispatch .from Captain Malcolm Ross, N.Z. Official War Correspon- ■ dent.)

'The New Zealandere are more than holding their own with the Germans Jn the front line, and prisoners continue to he captured.

The Military Medal has been awarded to Corporal J. G. Hart, Rifles, and Lance-Corpl. H. Fake, of tho Engineers. The death of Major Victor Rogers is greatly regretted. He served through tho Gallipoli campaign, and took part with artillery in the battles of the Somnie, Messinos, and Pasßchoiidaole, being twice wounded. He had paid, a visit to headquarters, and was killed instantaneously by a high explosive shell while walking along the road back to tho battery.

ACTIVITY ON THE FRENCH FRONT

ARTILLERY DUEL IN THE CHAMPAGNE REGION

i.ondon, February 15. A French official oommnniquo states: "North-west and oast of Reims we carried out .-aids. There is fairly great reciprocal artillery firing in the Champagne. Our batteries caught and dispersed a strong enemy concentration south of Dormoiso."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.

(Kec. February 17, 5.5 p.m.)

London, February 16. k French official communique states: "There have been violent artillery notions in some sectors on the right bank of the Meuse. Woevre, and in Upper Alsace. Two enemy detachments attempting to rush our lines on the Chaume Wood front were repulsed'."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Beuter.

(Bee. February 17, 11.20 p.m.)

London, -February 16. A French official communique states: "We repulsed attempted raids in Champagne and Upper Alsace. Wβ raided Vauqois, west of Verdun. The enemy's aeroplanes bombed Beteson and Nancy, killing and wounding civil-ians."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Beuter.

THE BIG FRENCH RAID IN CHAMPAGNE

SUCCESS OF GREAT TACTICAL VALUE.

(Rec. February 17, 5.5 p.m.)

London, Februarsy 15. Beuter's correspondent β-t French Headquarters states that the object of the recent big raid on the French front in Champagne was to Hte off a troublesome salient between Tahure and the rugged mass at Butte du Mesnil, against which the French were brought to a standstill in September of 1915. The task was a most difficult one, as the salient lay in a saucer among heavily armed: overlooking hills. Tho attack was preeseded by a heavy bombardment, and met with opposition, which it proved capable of checking till it reached its objective. The operation was completed in an hour. The French and American artillery worked with splendid precision.—Heuter.

HOW THE AMERICANS HELPED. New York, February 15. The United Press correspondent on the French frcnt states that the American barrage in the Champagne cut off the Germans' retreat, and prevented the bringing up of reinforcements, and protected the advancing French.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GERMAN REPORT ON AIR LOSSES. ' (Rec. February 17, 0.0 p.m.) London, February 15. A German official report states: "The enemy lost in January SO balloons and 151 aeroplanes. We lost 68 aeroplanes and 4 balloons."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.