THE WESTERN FRONT.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 December 1917, Page 2

THE WESTERN FRONT.

OFFICIAL REPORTS. LONDON, Dec. 21. Filed-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig reports:—We repulsed a raid north-east of Messines, and took prisoner a few men in patrol encounters. FRENCH REPORTS.

(AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION] & REUTER.] LONDON, Dec. 21. A French communique says:—There is moderate reciprocal artillery activity on the whole front. i A strong enemy attack on the Lorraine front wits preceded by a violent bombardment of the trenches north of Reillon, and completely failed. The enemy left numerous dead.

Aeroplanes bombed Dunkirk Calais. Four were killed and ten wounded. Another communique says artillery , ing is active in the region of Oouriere Wood. An attempt to rush our trenches west of Oerney was repulsed. At Hartmanns Weilerskopf, the enemy, after a big raid, occupied advanced elements in our front line, but were completely ejected after hand-to-hand fighting, wherein he lost heavily. HEAVY GERMAN ATTACK. NEAR YPRES. f AUSTRALIAN NUZ. CABLE ASSOCIATION & REUTER.] (Received This Dav at 10.15. -i.’n.) LONDON, Dec. 23.

Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig reports that under coyer of a heavy barrage yesterday afternoon t < the enemy .powerfully attacked near the Yp refl " Staden railway, and drove in our advanced posts for a short distance on a 700 yards’ front There was hostile artillerying at Ghelivelt and Polecapello.

PALESTINE. ARABS’ SUCCESS. * TROOP TR AIN DESTROYED. TAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION & REUTER.I LONDON, Dec. 21. The War Office states that the Arabs under King Jtedjaz’s son, destroyed a troop train southward of Tebuk, killing or capturing, the whole Turkish detachment, with three hundred rifles and much ammluliition ; also £24,000 in Turkish gold.

A FURTHER SUCCESS. substantial captures. TAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION & REUTER.j Received, this day at 8.46 a.m. LONDON, Dec. 22. Palestine official.—Our troops, crossing the Mahrelauja at midnight, on rafts and light bridges, seized-Chuhr-bethadaah, Sheikmautnis, Telernkkeit, and Elmakhrws, near the river mouth. Other forces captured Rosezzambg, north-eastward of Bethany, heating off three counter attacks. Tho captures since the commencement of operations amount to 99 guns and howitzers, 400 lumbers and wagons, 110 machine guns, 7.000 rifles, and a large quantity of ammunition arid storey.