WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 29 September 1917, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

FEROCIOUS COUNTER-ATTACKS LONDON, Sept 27. The United Press Association correspondent emphasises the ferocious nature' of the German counter-attacks, which ended fruitlessly. Heavy shel-. ling forced the British to retire slightly immediately northward of Zonnebeke; in consequence of this Zonnebeke railway station . was recaptured, but the major portion of Zonnebeke remains in British hands. The Germans also won the minor local positions of Winzie Farm and Vale House. The British regained portion of these. The British repulsed with heavy slaughter enemy attacks every where southward of the Menin Road, except in the regions of Jut Farm and Cameron House. The enemy hotly assaulted the Anzac's position southward of the railway, but after very heavy losses abandoned the attempts, not gaining an inch. The correspondent pays, a tribute to the splendid spirit of the Argyll and Sutherland's in refusing to surrender, although practically without food or drink for 20 hours. The ground was litterea with German corpses when they were relieved. A French communique says: After a violent bombardment of our positions from Les Bauxerion to the west of Cerny the enemy last night attacked south of Arbrede and Cerny. ALL COUNTER-ATTACKS REPULSED. LONDON, Sept 27. The High Commissioner reports: Britis-h official: Seven powerful hostile counter-attacks were made after all our objectives were gained yesterday, but were repulsed with heavy loss. ABUSE OF THE WHITE FLA&. LONDON, September 27. Mr. Gilmour relates: On one pillbox the Germans hoisted the white flag, while "they continued machinegunning. Our boys went mad and shot them down like rabbits. Prisoners indicated that a number of officers were hiding in a dug-out 400 yards ahead. This meant going into their own barrage, but our men surprised the battalion commander, five officers and a number of privates, Scores of mach-ine-guns were captured and Earned against the Boches.

THE GERMAN WAY. LONDON, September 28. The War Office points out that a German communique states that we gained less territory on the 26th than on the 20th. This is perfectly true/ but the objectives sot were smaller.. All our objectives were gained. The War Office adds: Ludcndorff, in purposelymisleading phrases, described the fighting near Zonnebeke and Gheluvelt, but omits to state that the Germans lost Zonnebeke and emphasises the retention of Gheluvelt, which was outside the British objectives. i GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT. LONDON, Sept. 27. Wireless German official.—The battle in Flanders was uninterrupted all day and all night. At least twelve enemy divisions, often accompanied by tanks, advanced between Mangelaares and Holiebeke. We repulsed repeated assaults astride the Langemarcke Boad. The enemy penetrated a kilometre between St. Julien and the Menin-Ypres road. There was stubborn fighting at Zonnebeke and Gheluveli. The latter remained in our hands. Eepeated assaults more to the southward broke down. QUICK WORK. LONDON. September 27. Another officer states: Just before jumping off we found between the first and second Australian lines a wandering German patrol, who were promptly captured before they, could give the alarm, which would have drawn fire upon thousands; lying thickly down the ridge.

SAVING THE RIGHT WING. GEEAT WORK BY AUSTRALIANS. LONDON, September 28. Mr. Gibbs writes: A menace fo the right wing on Wednesday was averted by the courage of English and Scottish units, and the quick, skilful and generous help of the Australians, the last-named, realising the dangeroussituation to which their right flank was exposed, s r "t a body of strike southward. They thrust back Grormon.outp(i?ti. and established, af--fierco fighting, defensive nosts able of liflldini'- off any likely attack. they had shared all the peril of their comrades on the right, passing through the same tornado of shelling, and fully appreciated their tenacity and valour.

GERMAN LOSSES GREATER THAN FIRST REPORTED. LONDON, September 2S. Mr. Percival Phillips, writes: Our latest victory has been well maintained. The German losses were even greater than was thought yesterday. Ours were exceptionally light in many places and nowhere serious. The Australians encountered the principal opposition around the butte at the'northeastern corner of Polygon Wood, but the obstacle was finally rushed, Nine counter-attacks in various stages of preparation broke against the Australian front before Thursday morning. Only two succeeded in approaching rifle range, when the local enemy reserves w T ere exhausted the fresh 230th Division was thrown into battle. Three waves, under a heavy barrage, came on steadily until the Australians got captured machine-guns into action. Then the w T aves halted and finally fled, leaving- many dead on the field. There was no further attack against the Australians who, during the night were able to consolidate their new position along the forward slope below Polygon Wood and turn the German defences against the enemy. The Australians on Thursday morning, near the south-east corner of Polygon Wood, pushed on along the Reutelbeek, meeting with little opposition. The fighting around Zonnebeke was very severe, but the enemy has not shaken our hold on the village or forced our withdrawal from any vital point. " Prisoners are grcatby depressed at the failure of the new pill-box system of defences. SEVEN POWERFUL COUNTERATTACKS REPULSED. LONDON, September 28. Sir Douglas Haig reports: After all our objectives were gained yesterday, seven powerful counter-attacks during the afternoon and evening were repulsed with heavy enemy losses. We prisonered yesterday 1614, including 48 officers. Our casualties were light. To-day we improved our position southward of Polygon Wood.

THE YPRES OFFENSIVE. CAPTURED POSITIONS CLEARED UP. Received 10.20. LONDON, Sept 28. Sir Douglas Haig reports: We broke up a hostile counter-attack last evening, against positions at Zonnebeke and cleared up isolated strong points southward of Tower Hamlets and Polygon Wood. We carried out successful raids south-westward of Cherisy. There is considerable hostile artillery activity southward of Lens. Military medals .have been awarded to Sergt. P. A. Cordon Wellington; Pte. C. Quinn, Auckland. Thirtyeight military medals have been awarded to New Zealanders.