THE WESTERN FRONT.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 December 1917, Page 2

THE WESTERN FRONT.

HAIG’S REPORT. rAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION & REUTER.] LONDON December 4. Marshal Haig reports: Our artillery broke up concentrations eastward of Gouzeaucotirt, and in the neighbourlied of Moeuvres before the attack could develop. Artillery is active in the neighbourhood of Le Yacquerie. There is considerable hostile artillerying northward of Armentieres isouth-east of Ypres, and in the Passcliendacle sector.

GERMAN REPORT. LONDON, December 4. German official:—We threw back the English in many .waves northward or Gheluvelt. fighting pdcurred between Mardoting and the ;Peronne-Cambrai Road. We stormed He Vaequerio and repulsed counter-attacks. GERMAN OFFENSIVE FAILED. A CORRESPONDENT’S VIEW. rAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION & REUTER.] LONDON December 4. The United Press correspondent believes that flie most critical moment of the Cambrai battlefield is passed; but, he says, I do not think Hindenburg will allow matter*, to stand where they are now. Severe fighting is most probably ahead. Hindenburg will undoubtedly' fling more men over the barricade. German corpses are strewn bround Oambrai bulge.

Thus far the attempt to flatten out General Syng’s jump towards Cambrai is a yfcotal failure. Prisoners declare that Uhlan s were held in readiness to exploit the hoped-for break through. Reinforcements continue to arrive and the artillery is increasing. Those fetched from other parts were in Flanders on Sunday in time for a local advance in the region of Passcliepdaele. The enemy! counter barrage was nine minutes late, and much lighter than in the previous fighting in this,area.

Obviously the British guns knocked out the Prussian or the latter has withdrawn.

The situation to-day apparently is that Prince R.upprecht’s sword arm is actuated by Hindenburg. The latter will wage as long as he can. find troops to respond.

Every British officer and Tommy is most confident.

Rupprecht is unable to make ’ much of the strength lie develops, despite the advantage's of fighting out from a chain of fortresses with undisturbed roads and railways against the British wild are fighting in the open, and behind whom lies the devastated Somme battle ground, roadless and railwayless, save for soldier built routes. The Huns f liuman avalanches are checked and if Rupprecht persists in fighting, he may find the bulge which lie is prodding is a hornets nest. HINDENBURG’S INTERVIEW. LONDON December 4. Further particulars of the interview credit Hindenffiurg with saying that, both the British and the French are brave, hut the French are cleverest. The strength of the British Iie s in their numerical superiority in artillery. Their able men are amongst the French Generals. British generals learned an entirely different warfare to the European and trench warfare is no school wherein a great general can develop. HATGS REPORT. rAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION & REUTER.] (Received This Day at 1.20 a.m.) • LONDON December 5. General Haig reports aeroplanes on Monday bombed and machine gunned villages in enemy occupation on the battlefront. They bombed villages west of Cambrai and co-operated with the infantry in fighting east of. Ypres> We downed two enemy machines and two of ours are massing. FRENCH REPORT. (Received This Dav at 1.20 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. sth. Ftfench communique—Violent artillcrving actions took place to the right of the Meuse and Vosges.