WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 3 October 1917, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

| AT VERDUN. VIOLENT ARTILLERY WORK. ENEMY ATTACKS REPULSED. LONDON, October 1. French, communique.—There has been violent artillery fire on both banks of the Meuse, especially between the Meuse and Bezonvaux. After a lively bombardment in the sector Forges, the Germans attempted to reach our lines, but our fire easily repulsed them. z 7, • Another attempt on the right bank of the Meuse also failed. SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S REPORT. LONDON, October 2. Sir Douglas Haig reports: We prisonered during September 5296 including 146 officers. We also captured eleven guns, including three heavies, 57 trench mortars and 377 ma-chine-guns. $ Eleven tons of bombs were dropped on the aerodrome at Gontrede, and billets and communications in the battle area, also on dumps and headquarters near Cambrai. The enemy carried out many bombing raids at night-time, but did little damage of military importance. A photograph of the results of the bombing of Gontrode show that the aerodrome and a shed were hit, also that three large machines landed in a field three mile s southward of the aerodrome, two being clearly damaged. A large accommodating Gothas is reported to have been set aflire last night. Twelve German machines were brought down. Five of ours are missing. ENEMY MAKES POWERFUL ATTACK. DRIVEN BACK IN DISORDER. LONDON, October 2. The High Commissioner reports as follows: British official. —This morning the enemy j advancing in three waves, made a powerful attack on a front of a mile against our new positions north of the Ypres-Menin road, but was driven back in disorder, with heavy casualties. The enemy twice renewed the attacks with stronger forces, hut was repulsed at all points except in the south-east comer of Polygon Wood, where he occupied two of our advanced posts. LIVELY ARTILLERYJNG. ON THE VERDUN FRONT. Received 10.10. PARIS, October 2. A communique states there were somewhat lively artillery actions on the Aisne on the right bank of the Meuse. After violent bombardment the Germans attacked between Etaine Wood and Bezonvaux. A desperate fight ensued in our trenches, ending in our favour, and our lines were completely restored.

GERMANY’S DESPERATE .FEARS. ANXIOUS ABOUT NAVAL BASE. FIGHTING STAMINA DETERIORATING. WASHINGTON, October 1. The United States’ second war statement says: Germany is making desperate onslaughts owing to her fear - of the British cutting her line of communications to the Ostend-Zecbrugge naval base. The battle of Menin road shows that the Germans’ fighting stamina is deteriorating.!