SMASHING BRITISH VICTORY.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 6 October 1917, Page 3

SMASHING BRITISH VICTORY.

—— SPLENDID ADVANCE IN FLANDERS. ALL OBJECTIVES GAINED. THOUSANDS OF PRISONERS CAPTURED. HAIG REPORTS PROGRESS. By Electric Telegraph. Copyright. Per Press Association. Received October 6, at 9.5 a.m. London, October 5. Sir Douglas Haig reports : — Our attack on an eight-mile front southward of Tower Hamlets to the Ypres-Staden railway northwards of Langemarck was completely successful. AH our objectives were gained and positions of great importance were won. Over 3000 prisoners have already been counted.

We are now in possession of the main ridge to a'point a thousand yards northward of Broodseinde.

The weather, after promiiing to be favourable, became less settled. Strong westerly winds with the force of a gale at times and rainstorms throughout the battle added to the difficulties of the advance and the airmen's work. The aircraft, nevertheless, did valuable work and afforded useful information as to the positions of our troops and assembly of the enemy for counter attacks.

NEW ZEALANDERS AGAIN PASS THROUGH THE FIRE. KEEN TO MEET THE FOE. Received Oct. 6, at 10.50. London, October 5, Mr Gordon Gilmour, the war correspondent, writes chat he saw the New Zoalanders going up to the front for the last offensive*. Thoy were greatly irelieved that they had not been overlooked. Their greatest anxiety had.been lest " the show" would be over before they would be given a

chance, They were in great form after their rest since Messines, and were never keener to meet the enemy.

The New Zealanders closely cooperated with the Australians. As in previous assaults, the Anzacs were chosen for the push slightly north of the front they occupied at the commencement of the'offensive.

Sir Douglas Haig, by this assault, wrenched from the enemy the whole of the high ground north of Polygon wood.

It has been proved that nothing the enemy» can do is aT}le to stem our advance behind this terrible artillery bdrrage. The Germans' only hope is in counter-attacks, and they inevitably suffer heavily from our guns the moment their troops begin massing.

Britons All. THE SPOILS OF WAR. Received Oct. 6, at 8.40 a.m. London, October 5. A high military authority states that from' the end of July to the end of September, the troops participating in the recent offensive were 70 per cent of English forces, 16 per cent of colonials, 6 per cent of Scottish, and 8 per cent of Irish. The percentage of casualties was : English 76, Colonial 8, Scottish 10, Irish 6.

We have captured during the past nine months on the West front 51,435 Germans, and 342 field and heavy guns. We lost, in the same period, 15)605 prisoners and no guns, while in all theatres of war in nine months we captured 72,513 prisoners and 470 guns/ We lost 15,850 prisoners and no gunß.

Destroying the U-Boats.

Received Oct. 6 at 8.40 a.m. London, October 5. Naval authorities state that the sinkings of U-boats in the past quar-' ter have been greater than in any previous quarter.