THE WESTERN FRONT.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 September 1917, Page 2

THE WESTERN FRONT.

BRUGES POPULATION.

AMSTERDAM, September 3. The “Telegraaf” states that pr&o-i" tically the whole of tho male population of Bruges has been ordered to ,s -<- help to strengthen the new German lines botwoen Bruges and Ostond Canal and the Yser Canal. VERDUN BATTLE. GERMAN LOSSES. • , TAUSTRALIAN cC N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION] LONDON September 4. Reuter’s correspondent at Frenoh headquarters states that since tho bo gining of the battle of Verdun ten German divisions have been withdrawn on account of losses. The enemy has seven divisions on both banks of tho Meuse. Therefore, seventeen divisions are undergoing a process of exhaustion by the operations begun on August 20th. Since the beginnig of August the enemy has been obliged to withdraw' thirty divisions facing the Allied army in Belgium. The enemy had altogether forty-two divisions in the Flanders Battle. Therefore, in a single month the Allies have put forty German divisions out of action and at present nineteen others are being reduced by the same methods. HAIG’S REPORT LONDON September 4. ' Sir Douglas Haig reports:—Our fire drove baok a raiding party, south-west of La Baseee. There is considerable , enemy activity northward of Ypres. Our aeroplanes dropped three tons of bombs on the enemy’s aerodromes with good result*. A SHALL ADVANCE. WELLINGTON, This Day.

The High Commissioner reports from London 4th. September at 12.4Q.p.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports north-east-ward of St. Julien we advanced our line slightly.