THE WESTERN FRONT.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 October 1917, Page 2

THE WESTERN FRONT.

DEEDS OF HEROISM

RESCUING AN OFFICER.

(United Service Telegrams.)

LONDON Oct. 17

Mr. Murdoch supplies further incidents of the fighting. A man volunteerd to help a wounded captain back to the lines hut was killed. A s p e°nd took his place and was also killed. A third one was killed and then a fourth brought the officer safely in.

A FEARFUL FIGHT

GALLANT AUSTRALIANS.

LONDON, Oct. 17

Describing one German counter-at-Murdoch says they came on in waves, maintaining inexorable discipline. The Australians called upon the artillery hut the barrage descended behind the enemy, owing to a misapprehension that we wero holding a more distant line. Therefore, there was nothing left for it, but a desperate fight ' with rifles and machine guns, partly choked with mud. The Bosche s far outnumbered us. Our Lewis guns mowed clown the first wave like ripe corn, but the second wave and a simultaneous flank attack, enveloped our position and isolated a body of fifty men, including the Lewis gunners. They determined to fight their wav out.

Such fighting has seldom been .seen. One man killed thirteen Germans before be was shot from behind. Only six survivors reaei.- - the lines.

The Germans were now broken, scattered parties, and after heavy losses retired. Other attacks following were broken.

Believing it is impossible to hold the position, which was also useless without a further advance, the Australians then withdrew. They had stood inf flooded shell-holes, sometimes with i water to their shoulders.

FRENCH OPERATIONS.

LONDON, Oct. 18th

A French eommnuique reports lively artillery actions particularly in the region of the Plateau d’Ailles and right of the Meuse.

THE “JONATHANS.”

PARIS, October 18

Generals Joffre (Franco) and Pershing (American) reviewed the first American division in Franco.

HAIG’S REPORT.

fAUSTRALIAN CC N.Z. CARLE ASSOCIATION]

Dt REUTER.] ' (Received this day at 12.30 a.m.) LONDON, October 18

General Haig reports considerable activity by hostile artillery northwest of Yprcs and the coast sector. The activitv of our artillery continues.

25 AIRSHIPS DOWNED,

LONDON, October 17

A Frtfofdi conunun ,<|ue says that aeroplanes violently bombed Nancy. Ten 'civilians wore Wiled and forty forty wounded. We on the 15th. and 16th. brought down: twerity-fivo enemy aeroplanes. Our machines heavily bombed military establishments, railway statons, arid factories at various places.