WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 4 October 1917, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

MORE FIGHTING AT YPRES. ~ LONDON October 2. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "Yesterday and during the night the enemy made five attacks, with fresh troops between the Ypres-Menin Eoad and the north-eastern corner of Polygon Wood, and also attacked at Zonnebekc. 'All six proved complete failures, with the [ exception of the loss of the posts reported yesterday. The enemy suffered heavily, and did not gain any advantage. We repulsed raiders southward of Lens THE FIGHTING IN FLANDERS. IS IT THE FINAL STAGE? Received 8.40. LONDON, October 3. Mr Philip Gibbs states: The artillery battle in Flanders is endless, intense, and widespread upon both sides. The enemy has :all its guns at work. Is this the last phase of the war. Does the enemy know he must win or lose? Our men have that hope in their hearts, and fight more grimly, with higher spirits because of it. Our success in the last two battles eastward of Ypres has deepened the hope. I have heard Tommies telling the Australians they only need to make a grimace at the Hun to make him "Hands up." Our battalions are having dinners in Flemish farmhouses to celebrate the victory which has put the enemy down and under and very near to hopelessness. OFFICIAL REPORTS. Received 10.15. ■ . ■ LONDON, Octber o. Sir Douglas Haig reports reciprocal artillerying eastward of Ypfes. A French communique states there is fairly violent artillerying from Belgium to the Aisne front. The Germans- heavily attacked after the bombardment on the, right bank of the Meuse, between Hill 344 and Sangneux, gaining a footing at a point north of Hill 344, but were driven from the greater part after violent fighting. SUCCESSFUL AIR RAID. AMSTERDAM, October 2. It is reported that fifteen German aeroplanes were destroyed in the Allied air raid on the St. Denis aerodrome on -September 30th. GERMANS' DESPERATE COUNTERATTACKS. , REPULSED EVERYWHERE ..LONDON, October 2. Mr. Robinson, the'"Times'" correspondent reports that the Germans, in counter-attacks, used more men without making any impression in the region of the upper part of Polygon Wood to below Tower Hamlets, After heavy artillery fire the Germans came on in three successive widespread waves. The first had not far advanced before it was picked out by Our guns and eventually was scotched by rifle fire before our line was reached The second wave was wiped out by our artillery, and the third was broken, but not checked till scattered by rifie fire, when the Germans turned and fled. Later in the morning attacks were very heavy, but the forces wore everywhere stopped. SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S REPORT LONDON, October 2. Sir| Rouglas Kaig reports: There is only reciprocal artillery fire. Our aeroplane bombed Gontrode and Carnieres aerodromes and German longrange guns . ■We brought down eight enemy machines. Two of ours are missing- , • GERMANS CLAIM SUCCESS. LONDON, October 2. A wireless German official states: We captured a position in Polygon Wood 500 metres, deep, and withstood repeated counter-attacks.