WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 25 October 1917, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

NEW TRENCH ATTACK. PARIS, October 23. A French communique states: ' 1 After \ artillery preparation for several days we attacked at 5.15 this morning powerful German organisations in the region of Allemont and Malmaison, north of the Aisne. We made considerable progress along the entire front of the attack. Wc took many prisoners.” THE GERMAN STORY.’ ADMISSION OF RETIREMENT. LONDON, October 23. A German official message says: British and French forces penetrated ' deeply into the defences at the south era edge of Houthulst Wood, but counter-attacks repulsed the enemy, whose gains were only three hundred metres deep and twelve hundred wide. The enemy’s assaults on the Poclcapelle Road, astride the Gheluvelt Road, failed. The enemy’s artillery attacks between the Ailette and Brave increased to continuous drumfire in the morning and the French attacked at daybreak.” A GREAT BATTLE. GERMANS SHELLED OUT. CAVES FORTY FEET DEEP. Receievd 10.5. PARIS, October 24. A battle began in the darkness, about an hour before dawn. The central point of attack was Malmaison fort, which was defended by German guardsmen. The Germans altogether massed front from Malmaison Fort, which was in ruins, but still proved of immense use to the enemy as an observatory. Its glacis, cleared by shells, was reconstructed and furnished with mach-ine-gun posts, and connected with the Labyrinth of eaves and tunnels running to the German rear. Many of the Gorman troops were forty feet be low the surface. The whole crest attacked, was honeycombed with the ancient quarries, and, fortunately, the French held similar caverns on the southern slpoos of the hills where thej r were able to lodge reserves until they were needed. The French used sixteen inch guns to break up the quarries.

FUTILE ENEIVIY COUNTERS. Received 8.40 LONDON, Oct 24. Sir Douglas Haig reports that the enemy last night, again attacked positions at Houlthurst Wood; at the junction of the Anglo-French 'armies, but was completely repulsed. Since Monday the enemy has' delivj ere(i seven counter-attacks 1 not | achieving any material results* ’at any point. I The Gloucester successfully raided south-eastward ; of Gavrelle. DETERMINED COUNTER-ATTACKS LONDON, Oct 24. Sir Douglas Haig reports: Besides the attack reported in the morning’s communique, the enemy delivered two other counter-attackg last evening In one case he attempted to advance along a line west of the RoosebekePoelcapelle road, but when 200 yards from our new positions, was engaged by our infantry, fTfle and machinegun fire, and beaten off with loss. Survivors endeavouring. to withdraw were caught in the artillery barrage, and again suffered heavily. A second attack in considerable strength immediately northward of the Ypres-Staden railway was also met by rifle and machine-gun fire and driven off. Early this morning another attack on our positions at Houthulst Forest north-east of Veldhoek < was completely repulsed, leaving prisoners in our hands. A less powerful attempt against the fortified farm captured yesterday, to the south-east of Poelcapelle, was equally unsuccessful. Reciprocal artillery fire was active to-day, despite the unfavourable weather. Flying yesterday almost prevented by the weather, until the after noon. Our aeroplanes, despite rain and had visibility ? co-operated in the infantry’s attack, continuously reporting progress with ma-chine-guns The enemy dropped many bombs during the last few nights on our forward areas. His machines last night were not nearly so active except. in the neighbourhood of Dunkirk. Ours vigorously attacked seven aerodromes. Bombs fell near hangars and aeroplanes on the ground. The railway station at Courtrai was Tater attacked. A train was hit and the rear portion burst into flames. There was little air fighting. Two enemy machines -were brought down. Two of ours collided over the enemy lines. Another is missing.

I BIG ADVANCE ON AISNE FRONT. PARIS, Oct. 23. It is officially announced that a new battle on the Aisne has developed very favourably. The French have captured all the crests forming their objectives and have progressed beyond. The troops are now occupying the counter-slopes. The advance is three kilometres deep on a front of eight Fort Malmaison was captured early in the attack, also the villages of Allemant, Les Vallons and Chavignon, with Chavignon ravine. The Laon plain is now lying before the French. Three thousand prisoners have been taken and nineteen guns captured. 7500 PRISONERS REPORTED. ALSO 25 GUNS AND MUCH BO6TY. LONDON, Oct 24. A French communique states; North of the Aisne our attack developed most brilliantly despite fog and rain, against formidable defences garrisoned by Germany’s best troops. The first rush captured,a line marked by the and then Fort Malffiaiapn, in the centre, fell. The French, lushing forward, expelled the eneniy f»m Mont Parnasse quarries > on" The left was equally successful /the villages of Treman and Vaulesson were taken. Our right carried the line fo a height commanding Pargny Fillane. The troops in the hustling fresh enemy reserves, stormed the village of Chairgeton. The advance here reached a depth of 21- miles. The enemy’s losses were very heavy. Seven thousand five hundred’ have so far been counted Enormous booty includes twenty-five guns. CABINET CRISIS. PARIS, October 23. The Cabinet crisis has been settled. All Ministers are remaining in office except M Ribot (Minister of Foreign Affairs).; who has been replaced by M. B’arthou. ;..5T « L"! .■ Y