THE WESTERN FRONT.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 January 1918, Page 2

THE WESTERN FRONT.

THE CAMBRAI ATTACK. * REVIEW OF THE POSITION. 1 “rf.utf.r’b” telegram.] LONDON, Jan Cjf A high British military " writing in the “Weekly Review.” after stating that the enemy’s efforts to get tho ridge on the left flank of Cambrai battlefront, was almost a complete failure, and that our position is satisfactory remarks that while people talk of troops steadily coming from the East front, they are not coming in hundreds of thousands. Such talk omits to take into account the transport of coal difficulties, and the enemy is still a long way from superior to the Allies on the West Front. However, we must expect a German offensive on ■ a more considerable scale than formerly lint there is no reason to suppose that he will inflict such casualties on us as we inflicted on him in our offensive.

Reviewing the operations of the year, he says the Allies hold most of the high ground, and ridges. The positions are better than ever before; but the public must be prepared for the possibility of losing some of our ground and guns in the event of a big offensive . The- Italian position has improved and time is on our side there. Altogether the position is satisfactory. As regards Palestine, General Allonbv is now eleven miles north of Jerusalem in difficult country, and unfavourable weather will prevent a considerable forward movement until tho weather has improved. ’ The British during 1917 captured 73,- »» 000 prisoners, 149 heavy, and 382 field guns, 648 trench mortars, 2639 machine guns on the West Front. HAIG’S REPORT. fAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION & REUTER.] Received, this day at 8 45 a.m. LONDON January 3. General Haig reports that the enemy attempted to raid in the neighbourhood of Oppy, but were driven off before reaching the trenches. His artillery was active in the neighbourhood of Ypres—Commines Canal. Our aeroplanes on Tuesday dropped two hundred bombs on an ammunition depot near Courtrai an aerodrome at Inglemutnster and other targets.

A FRENCH REPORT. Received, this day at 8.45 a.m. LONDON January 3. A French communique reports con- / siderable artillery activity in the sec- » tors of Beaumont and Couriers Wood.