HEROIC WORK OF STRETCHERBEARERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9792, 16 October 1917, Page 5

HEROIC WORK OF STRETCHERBEARERS

By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. Australian and New Zealand Cable Association. (Received October 15, 9.50 p.m.) LONDON, October loMr Philip Gibbs writes“ln Friday’s battle the Anzac troops on the right flack made good, and reached tlio ocigc of a, hummock called Ores Farm. They killed the garrison, but German machine-gunners and nnomen held another knoll beyond Crest Farm, subjecting the Anzacs to a deaaiy short-range fire. Yet the Anzacs would have heid their ground here 11 they had been supported on the loft; but the other Anzacs wore having a a time in, the swamps there and' wore unable to make much headway owing to the deadly fire from higher ground. , “Rain fell during tho whole time, making the ground even worse than before. The rpist thickened, preventing our aeroplanes from directing the guns. Consequently it waa decided not to continue the second stage or the attack, and to withdraw the Anzacs on tho right and centre. “The Gormans on Friday afternoon opened an intense barrage lasting all night. Tho German defences were protected by blockhouses. All the ma-chine-guns from the supporting lines | were sent to the front. Iho enemy hod mover massed so many machine-guns to his front. Many were posted in trees There were never so many riflemen scattered among _ sheUoraters. Machine-gun fire and rifle fire never ceased for an instant during the attack. Our men floundering in bogs wore unable to keep up nth the barrage, and German snipers and gunners shot with cool aim while our men struggled forward.” THE ATTACK ON PASSCHENDAELE RIDGE HEROIC WORK OF STRETCHER-BEARERS. (From Captain Malcolm R.oss, Official War Correspondent with the Now Zealand Forces.) October 12The Now Zealanders, with other units, took part in tho renewed attack on Passchendaelo Ridge at dawn. After a day of sunshine the weather again changed in the night, and the attack started under, difficulties m ram and deep, sticky mud. . ... ~ In the circumstances, progress was necessarily slow, especially as the positions attacked wore strongly defended, with machine-gunners m pill-boxes and behind uncut wire. The stretcher-bearers never worked more heroically than they did to-dlay, their difficulties being increased by tho mud and the long distances over which they had tocarry tho wounded.

VARIOUS SUCCESSFUL BRITISH RAIDS GREAT BATTLE IN THE AIR. BRITISH PATROL ENCOUNTERS HEAVY ODDS. Australian and New Zealand Cable Association and Reuter. LONDON, October 14. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—The enemy artillery was active during the night north-east of \pres. We repulsed reconnoitring patrols west of Bocelaere and north of Poelcapelle. We made a successful raid in the neighbourhood of Hulluch. (Received October 15, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, October 14. Sir Douglas Haig reports -Eastern County troops made successful raids south-eastward of Monc-Uy le Preux- Friday's prisoners now number 943, including 41 Qn g atulx j ay encountered a formation, of double our strength. A determined fight ensued. Four of our machines have not returned. Allied machines arriving too late to participate, saw seveial enemy machines falling uncontrolled.

CAPTURE OF HOUTHOULST FOREST ESSENTIAL Australian and New Zealand Cable Association. PARIS, October 14. The newspapers ©mphasi&e that the capture of Houthou Ist Forest is a pre-requisite to the participation of all the Allies in a great offensive. ARTILLERY ACTIVITY ON AISNE AND MEUSE . FRENCH OFFICIAL RETORTS.

Australian and New Zealand Cable Association and Renter. LONDON, October 14. A French communique states;—The artillery struggle is fairly lively on tho Aisne front, especially at the Pantheon, in tho district of Vauderc, and on the California Plateau. (Received October 15, 8.40 p.m.) LONDON, October 14. 4. French communique states There is lively artillery; activity on the Aisne front, especially in the plateau region and on tho right hank of the Meuse.

A GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT Australian and New Zealand Cable Association and Router. LONDON, October 14. A German report states; —Five French counter-attacks north of Yauclero Mill (on tho Aisne front) failed.

UNITED STATES SHIPPING all large vessels REQUISITIONED. By TeJetfraph— Proas Ajusooiation —Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. WASHINGTON, October 14. The Federal Shipping Board has requisitioned all American vessels over 2500 tons. JSGIO-BUTCJMJIFFERENCE ALL SHIPPING TO ENGLAND STOPPED. i3jr Te’oerapU—Pre*% Association— Conj'H*' 1 > ..astrallan and N.Z. Cable Aisociaticm. AMSTERDAM, October 14.. Aocording to the “Maasbode,” in consequence of the Anglo-Dutch difference, all Dutch shipping to England has been stopped.

SWEDISH POLITICS LIBERAL LEADER TO FORM A CABINET. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Router's Telecrams. (Received October 15, 8.40 p.m.) STOCKHOLM, October 14. M. Eden, Liberal Leader, has been requested to form a Cabinet owing to the failure of M. Widen to do so. SIR JOHN SIMON INTELLIGENCE OFFICER FOR AIR SERVICE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z Cable Association. LONDON, October 14. Sir John Simon, a former Home Secretary, becomes Intelligence Officer for the Air Service.

THE CRISIS m GERMANY GRAVEST SINCE THE WAR BEGAN ADMIRAL VON CAPELLE ACCUSES CHANCELLOR OF SHAMEFULLY DESERTING HIM, By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. Australian and New Zealand Cable Asaociatvm. PARIS, October 14. The Zurich correspondent of the “Matin” says that the German crisis is the gravest since the war began. Dr. Michaelis and the pan-Gormans pud themselves pitted against the Reichstag Majority, instead of merely against the Independent Socialists. , , Admiral von Capelle (Vho has resigned) accuses Dr. Michaelis ot shamefully deserting him after they had agreed to stand together in the whom affair.

RETIREMENT OF DR. MICHAELIS VON HERTLING TO BECOME CHANCELLOR. Australian and New Zealand Cable Association. (Received October 15, 7.30 p.m.) BERNE, October 14. A Stuttgart newspaper states that Dr. Michaelis, German Chancellory will retire, and that Dr. Freidhere von Herding, Bavarian Premier, will probably succeed' to the Chancellorship.

ECONOMIC POSITION ALARMING FAILURE OF FOOD AND FODDER CROPS. Reuter’s Telegrams. (Received October 15, 7.30 P-m-) LONDON, October 14. Fresh information regarding the economic situation in Germany indicates that the position is becoming worse. The earn crops have tailed and the outlook for oats' and' barley is bad. Tho 1017 harvest is 40 pei cent I below normal years. A certain amount is expected tronii Roumanian, giananes. The failure of fodder crops is seriously affecting the breeding industry and milk supply The price of bread is beginning to double weekly. Iho meal ration has-been reduced to half a pound (? I»r week).. Trade and industry aia practically ft a standstill. .The publication of vital statistics has been suporessed owinez to tho alarm>ng figures. , . . . P The conditions obtaining in Austro-Hungary are infinitely worse.

THE NAVAL MUTINY OF LONG STANDING UNSATISFACTORY FOOD SUPPLIES THE ORIGIN. Australian and New Zealand Cablo Association. COPENHAGEN, October 14. ' The newspaper “Stifte Tidende” states that the mutiny in Genimn Na „ beiran in February, when the Dreadnought Bayerns crew owing to the unsatisfactory food supplies to them, tied an officer to the anchor ana lei him the scT The majority of the men concerned were sent to the front; others were confined in the naval prison a-t Cologne.