THE WESTERN FRONT.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 October 1917, Page 2

THE WESTERN FRONT.

[PEE PHEBB ASSOCIATION.—COPYEIGHT.] j ;

NEW GERMAN GUN. CAPTURED BY FRENCH. PARIS, October Tho French at Oobineaux captured two ingenious guns, each served by forty men. They fire a torpedo carrying two hundred pounds of explosives, which the Germans intended to use against Chemin des Dames. Each gu n had tho supply of a hundred torpedoes. FRENCH OPERATIONS. I TAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION & BEUTEB.] LONDON, October 26. i. A French communique says th© night was calm along the entire front north of the Aisne. Tho enemy only replied feebly with artillery. We are organising tile captured positions on the south bank of the Oise and Aisne canal, the bridges of which the retreating enemy blew up.

GermUns re-attacicocr north of Chaume Wood, to the right of the Meuse after a lively fight, in which th© enemy suffered serious losses. They only gained a footing in one of our advanced elements.

SUCCESSFUL OPERATIONS. LONDON, October 26. Thd United. Prate correspondent says tho Allies had practically taken all their first objectives, by noon, and were still advancing along Passcshendaelo spurs, around Ghelvult had penetrated deeper into Houthulst Wood. Th<\ fighting had resolved itself into two distinct battles. The first AngloFrench from Daaibank to below YpresRoulers railway, and the second along a short front centring on GheluvTt. The correspondent, emphasised the fact that no attack was made between th© two battles, because in view of recent lies, the Germans are almost certain to claim they checked the advance, there although none was attempted. ’Hie German artillery returned only moderately the British concentration of shell fire at night time obviously having had its effect. Prisoners are coming in in the drizzle. FRENCH ADVANCE. [AUSTRALIAN &■ N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION & BEUTEB.] LONDON, October 26. A French Communique says we attacked at six in the morning between Driegrachten and Drailbank in Belgium. Wo crossed Saintivansbeck and Vocerbook, shoulder m water and made important progress despite the difficulties of the ground. We captured the village of Drabrank and Percoed woods and many farms and farms organised as points d’appiri.