THE WESTERN FRONT

Hokitika Guardian, 25 October 1917, Page 2

THE WESTERN FRONT

BATTLE OF AISNE. THE FRENCH ADVANCE. 2500 PRISONERS. LONDON, Oct. 24. A French communique states: North of Aisne attacks -developed most brilliantly despite fog and rain, against formidable defences garrisoned by Germany’s best troops. In the first rush we captured the lino marked FrutleyBohery quarries then Fort Malmaison in the centre fell. The French pushing forward expelled the enemy from Mount Parnasse quarries.

Progress on the left was eagerly successful, and the villages of Alleman and Vandesson taken. On the right! wo carried the line to the heights commanding Pargny and Fillaine, the troops in ; the centre hustling fresh enemy reserves and stormed the village ot Chaergitton. The advance here reached a depth of 2J miles. The enemy losses were the heaviest. We took 2500 prisoners, hitherto counted, and enormous booty, which includes twcntV-fivo guns.

DEVELOPING FAVOURABLY.

MALMAISON CAPTURED.

fAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION]

PARIS, Oct. 23

It is officially announced that the new battle of the Aisne has developed very favourably. The French have captured all the crests forming their objectives, and have progressed beyond. The troops are now occupying the counter slope, and have advanced three kilometres deep on a front of eight kilimetres.

Tlie fort of Malmaison was captured early in the attack, also the villages of Allomont, Lesvallon, Chaviguon, with the Chevignon ravine. The Laon plan is now lying before the French.

Three thousand prisoners were taken and nineteen guns captured.

THE POELCAPELLE BATTLE

A DESCRIPTIVE ACCOUNT.

LONDON, Oct. 23. Mr. Phillip Gibbs reports the fighting on the 22nd revealed a curious inequality in the strength and determination of the German defence. The Norfolks and Essexers east of Poelcappeile found tlie chief difficulty from machine-gun barrage. In the German rear heavy gunfire which the British had put over the ground for a week, had made the area most unhealthy for the Germans, who had withdrawn many troops to safer lines, leaving only small outposts. The hardest position to take was the right of Houtbulstt Forest, .which despite all the gas it had soaked in, was full of the Twenty-sixth Reserve Division, under the stern orders to defend it to the death. There were many concrete emplacements in the forest, and blockhouses along the Staden railway.

HAIG’S REPORT. GOOD PROGRESS. COUNTER ATTACKS SMASHED. ’ TAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION & REUTER.] * (Received this day at 12.30 a.m.) LONDON, October 24. General Haig reports 'besides the attack reported in the morning’s communique, the enemy delivered two other counter-attacks last evening. In one case he attempted to advance along a lino west of Hollebeko-Poelcapelle road but when two hundred yards from our new positions, he was engaged by our infantry with rifle and machine gun fire and beaten off with loss. The survivors endeavouring to withdraw were caught, in the artillery barrage, and again suffered heavily.

The second attack, in considerable strength was immediately northward of Ypres-Staden Railway. This also was met hv rifle and machine gu n fire and was driven off. Early in the morning another attack on our positions at Houtliulst Forest, north-east of Yeldhoek, was completely repulsed, leaving prisoners in our hands.

A less powerful attempt against a fortified farm captured yesterday south-east of Poelcapelle was equally unsuccessful.

Reciprocal artillery was active today despite the unfavourable! weather.

Flying yesterday was almost prevented by the weather, until the aftornoon when our aeroplanes, despite the rain and bad visibility, co-operat-ed with the infantry attack, continuously reporting progress and assisting with machine guns.

The onejny dropped many bombs in the last few nights, oh our forward areas. His machines last night were not nearly so aetive, except in the neighbourhood of Dunkirk.

Our machines vigorously attacked a screen of aerodromes. Bombs fell near the hangars and aeroplanes on the ground. The railway station at Courtrai was later attacked and a train hit. The rear portion of the train bur sit into flames.

There was little air fighting. Two enemy machines were brought down. Two of ours collided over the enemy Mnes, and one other ia miasing.

THE BATTLE FOR MALAfAISON.

HONEY-COMBED WITH CAVES

A FRENCH SUCCESS

fßeceived This Dav at 10.15. a.m > PARIS, Oct. 24.

The Battle began i n the darkness, an hour before dawn. The central'point of the attack was Alalmasou Fort, which was defended by Gerrhan Guardsmen.

The Germans altogether had massed six divisions on the threatened front. Malmaiaon Fort was in ruins, but proved of immense use to the enemy, as an observation post. Its gla«* w**

clawed ty shells, hut was re-construci-ed and furnished with machine gun posts, connected with a labyrinth of cavoa and tunnels, running to the German rear.

Many German troops were forty feet below the surface. The whole crest attacked was honeycombed with ancient quarries. Fortunately the French . held a similar cavern on the southern slopes of the hills and were able to lodge their reserves there until they were needed. The French used sixteen inch guns.