ON THE WESTERN FRONT

Hokitika Guardian, 26 November 1917, Page 3

ON THE WESTERN FRONT

, HAIG’S REPORT. FIGHTING AT HOUR LON WOOD. .ATTACK AND COUNTER-ATTACK. (Received This Pa.v at 10.15. a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 25. General Haig reports that the fighting increased about Bout-lon- Wood continued last night with great reciprocal stuhborness, the enemy counter attacking several times. A strong hostile counter-attack on Friday night forced us back from Bourlon village which wg f entered in our first advance. Further eastwards a powerful enemy attack pressed us back a short- distance on a hill in Bourlon Wood. Our counter attacks later in the morning drove the enemy down the hill. Before midday our line was rostablislied along the northern edge of Bourlon Wood. At dusk tho enemy again attacked with strong forces from the northeast forcing us back slightly at the north-eastern corner of the Wood. We again attacked in the night and re-entered Bourlon village capturing it after a fierce struggle parties of the enemy offering obstinate resistance in the strong points of the village. We gained possession of the Bourlon village and practically the whole of Bourlon Wood including all the high ground with it. The English, Welsh, and Scottish assisted by dismounted cavalry displayed utmost courage and tenacity both in the attack and defence.

BOURBON WOOD HELD,

FINE WORK OF TANKB

(Received This ’hv at 1° 25. n.in.l PARIS, Nov. 25th. The Petit Parisien states only isolated enemy elements remain hidden in underground shelters in portion of Ilourlon Wood. The Tanks smashed all obstacles. Although-a few Tanks were caught at point blank range and destroyed, the remainder smashed the gun carriages mowing down the gunners.

GERMAN ATTACKS FAIL

BIG AEROPLANE LOSS

(Received This Day at 12."''

Attacks and counter attacks on Asiago Plateau, around Melette are increasing. The enemy are paying dearly. All attacks were broken. They thrice launched large masses against Colberta, but were repulsed in disorder with heavy losses.

Fifty-one enemy planes were brought down in the last four week's and eighteen Italian machines # are missing. Three others fell down in our lines.

HEAVY ATTACKS FAII

(AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION ifc REUTER.]

(Received This Dav at 12.25. 0.m.) LONDON, Nov. 25th.

A French communique states after a violent bombardment, the Germans made partial attacks at various points on the right hank of the Meuse, especially north of Hill 343, where a' lively grenade fight ended in our favour, the enemy suffering appreciable losses, with out result. We took prisoners. Our fire prevented the enemy reaching our lines at Beaumont and Chaume Wood

GERMAN REPORT

(ADMIRALTY —PER WIRELESS PRESS, j

(Received This Dnv at 12.2 a. LONDON, Nov. 25

German official. —An English advance on Ypres-Menin Road failed. There wore violent, limited engagements south west of Cambrai. The English four times fruitlessly attacked Incliy. Our counter-attack regained several hundred metres, and drove out the English from Bourlon village and wood. Italian attacks on both sides of Brenta valley and against Monte Certice collapsed.