THE WAR.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 November 1917, Page 2

THE WAR.

[PEB FBEBS ASSOCIATION. —COPTBIGHT.) ON THE WESTERN FRONT. TIIE LATEST ADVANCE. PHILLIP GIBBS ACCOUNT.

fAUSTRALIAN & K. 7.. CABLE ASSOCIATION]

LONDON NovembeV 11

Air. Phillip Gibbs reports: The German resistance on Saturday was more desperate that the battle for Paschendaele.

The Germans used all the batteries for miles around, concentrating the deadliest fire on tlio outer lines of the resistance.

The British traversed the storm of shells took a few prisoners and killed many owing to the stubbomess of the resistance .

The English, Irish and Canadians attack succeeded 1n widening our defensive positions upon the Passchen. daele ridge driving the enemy further down the far side. The weather was dismal and there was hard fighting among the. blockhouses all day long in rain and /storm. The enjemy their guns, and since our capture of the crest his artillery was answering. Our artillery on Saturday was extremely violent.

The infantry declare they they have seen nothing like it during the previous attacks .

It- was a frightful spectacle, and a marvel that they escaped from such a hurricane of high explosives. We reached the enemy’s pill boxes, where some Germans fought at close quarters. The Canadians on the right had better ground than the English who were lower down. They had a hard time up the slopes against the blockhouses fiercely resisting. Numerous counter attacks from the direction of West Roosebeke drove back some of our outposts. Heavy shelling coupled with the difficulty of the defensive flank compelled the Canadians to go back but the Key to the Passchendaele and the neighbourhood was securely held. The Canadians had an anxious time and for six sleepless days and nights they went forward gallantly determined to take the crests at all costs. On the right of the attack the Canadians continued to advance along the crest of the main ridge north of Passchendaele and gained their objectives early. The British on the left attacked I along the western shoulder of the main , ridge and overcame the obstacle of the marshy ground in the neighbourhood of Paddehek stream and reach their objectives beyond.

FRENCH REPORT. LONDON, Nov. 12. A French communique says: There a pretty lively artillerving struggle Belgium, in the Papegoud sector on the right- bank of the Alonso, in the region of Hill .344, and Boislochaume. CTIATTME WOOD BATTLE. 1 AUSTRALIAN * N. 7. CABLE ASSOCIATION it REUTER.]

LONDON, Nov. 11

A French communique states: —Incessant reciprocal art-illerying continues at Chaume Wood. A violent attack at Wartmennsweur, in the Vosges, was completely repulsed. Another attack at Reicltaeker failed. REPORT. LONDON, Nov. 12th. Marshal Haig reports: We repulsed with loss a raid westward of Lens. The organisation of the ground captured on Saturday continues. Aviation is restricted owing to rain.

A FURTHER ADVANCE

(Reuter’s Telegram.)

Received, this day at 8.45 a.m. LONDON, Nov. 12.

Egyptian headquarters state our advance has now reached Wady Hukater, where the Turks are reported to he holding the northern hank. The enemy made a brief stand on the ridge north of Zeitourah, and checked our cavalry, but were dislodged by a bayonet charge of Scottish troops. The Turkish losses since the beginning of the month are estimated at 135,000 killed, wounded and prisoners.