THE WESTERN FRONT.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 October 1917, Page 2

THE WESTERN FRONT.

GERMAN LINE THREATENED

NEW YORK, Oct. 21

Mr. Frank Simmonds, in a striking article in the “New York Tribnne,” says: The British thrust threatens the whole German position from Lille to Verdun. Only had weather delays the retreat) from the Mouse. The real meaning of the British strategy is to force a retirement to the Antwerp Brussels-Verdun line. The British will probably reach Menin and Roulers this year.

Although the Russian collapse released many thousands of Germans they are unable even to bold down the Allies, who are clearly over the crest of the hill. The Prussian military machine is slowly but surely going to pieces.

HAIG’S REPORT

HEAVY AIR ATTACKS,

LONDON, October 22,

Marshall Haig reports fine weather and improvements in visibility on Sunday. Mucjh artillery observation work was done and four tons of bombs dropped on aerodromes Ineair Courtrai, Roulers, and Douai. Three tons were dropped during the night time) (on Roulers and Etichtervelde railway stations, where fires were started as well as at. the abovementioned aerodrome.

One pilot reaching an aerodrome as jt(he enemy’s rfight bombing machines were leaving dropped bombs amongst them. There was heavy air fighting, chiefly well over the enemy’s line. Sixteen hostile machines wore brought down. Eight of ours are missing including the night bomber. Naval squadrons attached to the army which have been fighting through these operations, accounted for a large share of the machines brought down. Australian squadrons who were hitherto in training commenced active work and have already proved selves worthy of the high opinion formed of them on arrival.

BRITISH PROGRESS

.SUCCESS ACHIEVED,

LONDON, October 22

Correspondents at the front state that despite thick mist and strengthened machine-gun defences we recaptimed the ruins of a brewery adjoining Poelcapelle after heavy fighting. We made progress of some hunureds of yards near Houthulst Forest and northward of Poelcapelle. ■A counter-attack involved the enemy in heavy losses. A later message records another fierce (counter-attack along the railway. Visibility has improved, enabl ing our gunners to exact severe toll from the enemy.

FRENCH COMMUNIQUE.

PRISONERS TAKEN

fAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION

LONDON, October 22.

A French Eastern communique says-. Our artillery is ’continuing its destructive bombardment of the enemy positions in the region of Doiran, Vardar, and north of Monastir. In the course of operations while cleai ing the ground in the vicinity of our new positions north-west of Aogradec We took prisoner a number of Austrians.