THE WESTERN FRONT.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 September 1917, Page 2

THE WESTERN FRONT.

AUSTRALIANS MAKING GOOD. HOLDING ALL GAINS. HEAVY GERMAN LOSSES. [PEE PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPTBIGHT.] (Received this day at 12.80 a.®a.) LONDON, Sept. 28. K Mr. Pereival Phillips says our lat- -W. ost victory is well maintained. The German losses are even greater than was thought yesterday, and ours jxceptionally light in many places and nowhere serious. j The Australians encountered the principal opposition around the north-eastern corner of Polygon Wood but the obstacle was finally rushed, j Nine counter attacks in various stages of preparation broke down against the 'Australian front before Thursday morn- | ing. Only two succeeded in approach- | ing rifle range. When the local enemy reserves were | exhausted a fresh 230th division was thrown into the battle. Three waves

under a heavy barrage, came on steadily, until the Australians got covered machine-guns into action. Then the waves halted, and finally fled, leaving many dead in the field. There was no further attack against the Australians during the night and they were able to consolidate their new position along the forward slope below Polygon Wood, and turn the German defences against the enemy. The Australians on Thursday morning near the south-east corner of 7 ' gon Wood pushed on along to Reutlebeek, meeting little resistance. The fighting around Zonnebeke was very severe, but the enemy have not shaken our hold on the village, or forced a withdrawal of any vital point. The prisoners are greatly depressed at the failure of their new “pill box” system of defence

COUNTER ATTACKS REPULSED. WELLINGTON, This Day. The High Commissioner reports from London as follows. British official.— Seven, powerful Hostile counter-attacks were made after all our objectives wore gained yesterday, but were repulsed with heavy loss. HAIG’S REPORT. fAUSTRALIAN & N.2. CARLE ASSOCIATION & REUTER, j LONDON, September 28. General Haig reports we broke up a hostile counter-attack last * evening against our position at Zonnebeke and cleared up and consolidated at strong ; points .southward of Tower Hamlets and Polygon Wood. TV o carried out successful raid south-westward of Cherisy.

OERAIAN treachery.

BRITISH TROOPS ANGRY.

LONDON, September 27. Mr. Gilmour writes: An officer relates that on one “pill box” the Germans hoisted a white flag while. . they continued maohine-guning. boys went mad and shot them down like rabbits. The prisoners indicated that a number of officers were hiding in rt dug-out 400 yards ahead. This meant going into our own b'arrage, but our men surprised tho battalion commanders, five and a number oil {privates. Scores of machine-guns were captured and turned against the Bosches. Another officer states: Just before jumping off it was found that be- • tween tho front and second Australian lines was a wandering German patrol. It was promptly captured before it could give the alarm, which would have drawn the enemy’s firo upon thousands of men lying thickly down the ridge.

WAR OFFICE CORRECTION. LONDON, September 28. The War Office points out that the ■German comjnuique' states that we gained less territory on the 26th. than o n tho 20th. This is perfectly true but- the objectives set were smaller and all the objectives were gained. The War Office adds: General Ludendorff in, purposely misleading phases describes the fighting near Zonnebeke and Gheluvelt but _omits to state that the Germans lost Zonne- - beke and emphasises the retention of Gheluvelt which was outside t)ie . British objective*.