THE WESTIRN FRONT.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 August 1917, Page 2

THE WESTIRN FRONT.

heavy german attack

ON NEW BRITISH POSITIONS.

SOME -WITHDRAWALS FORCED,

3000 PRISONERS YESTERDAY. LONDON, Aug; 2. " British Official.—lt rained throughout the day. Our line was advanced slightly in the neighbourhood of Zellobeke—Zandvoorde Road. Our Allies further gained on the east bank of tho Yser canal. ’The.enemy heavily counter-attacked our new' positions east and north-east of Ypres, between Wesfock and StJulien with strong forces. We sucessfully resisted the enemy » repeated attempts to drive ns from important positions on the high ground captured yesterday in- this neighbourhood, hut under the weight of assaults and stubborn fighting we were compelled to withdraw our advanced troops from the village of St. Julien. The fighting was particularly, fierce for the possession of the village of Wesfhock, which Wo held in the western outskirts. 11l the afternoon the e nemv again attacked in fhe neighbourhood of Ypres—Roulers railway, on the second attempt succeding i n entering the advanced positions on a narrow front. Tlie fighting continues. Yesterday’s prisoners totalled over 3000. BRITISH METHODICAL CONTROL. AND GERMAN READINESS. (Received this day at 12.80 a.m.) ; r LONDON, ' A consensus of the reports of Tuesday's battle testify two main points, tr; Firstly.—The methodical control" or - tho operations, whorehy each unit’s task from first to last was measured , with studious precision, while the for-, ward movement of the artillery behind the advance was carried out on a wide front, with' extraordinary promptitude.'' " ■

Secondly.—Tlie exceptional strength of the enemy’s resistance, illustrated by the obstinate struggle at many points and subsequent, prompt, frequent powerful counter-attacks, showing they were ready for us on this occasion, as they had nofc been, since the new British Army had' reached its full fighting strength. . This fact enormously increases the importance of the unbroken chain of successful (thrusts from Steenstraat© to La Basseeville. GERMANS ALARMED. LONDON, Aug. 1. , Air. Phillip Gibbs reports The enemy is alarmed at the menace and ~ is rushing-UP reserves in omnibuses and light railways over the shell-swept Toads. ' TRIBUTE TO THE FRENCH - ; LONDON, Augr 2.

Sir Douglas Haig has telegraphed to General Pet%jrt paying a tribute to the. ability and ardour of the French Army commanded by General Anthonne, whose success assured the Allied flank and largely contributed t° to-day’s success. General Petain replied:. “The success of the. combined attacks which you directed is shedding fresh glory on the British flag and strengthens the . mutual confidence between the British and French armies.’’ r HAIG’S REPORT. BRITISH CAPTURES. LONDON, Aug 2nd. The British took prisoner yesterday over 5000, including 95 officers. We captured a few guns and numbers ; of chine-guns and trench mortars. Despite .the weather yesterday our aeroplanes kept in contact with the advancing infantry all day and successfully bombed and machine-gunned the enemy’s aerodrome, transport, and infantry. A few enemy machines attempted to fly. We brought down six. Three of ours are missing. We took prisoner in July including yesterday’s prisoners up to*6 o’clock in tho evening 4038 troops of whom 85 wero officers. We captured eight field guns fifty tnree machine guns and thirty two trench mortars. GERMAN REPORT. LONDON, AugtfT- - German official: Wo repulsed four French attacks at tho Cbemim de* Danies and drove hack the French obtride the Malancourt-E»no* Road on a two kilometre front (to a dapth of 700 metres taking prisoner 000.