WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 26 October 1917, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

ENEMY'S STRONG FORCES. LONDON,, Oc,t 24. An Italian official message) jsaysi; The enemy has concentrated a strong force against the Isonzo front, cf which a large portion is German. Intense artillery fire during the night on the Julian front, between Rombou and the northern portion of the fi'ainsizza Plateau, marked the beginning of the attack, but. owing to bad weather the fire decreased at dawn, without the infantry advancing." OVER 8000 PRISONERS LONDON,', Oct 24. A French communique reports: "The night was calm. The enemy bombarded our new especially in the region of Vandesson. We are organising our gains. Up to the present we have taken over 8000 prisoners, including 160 officers belongi ing to eight different divisions. It was confirmed that two enemy divisions placed in reserve behind the front participated in yesterday's lighting, and were severely handled. GREAT FRENCH VICTORY. ALL CAPTURES MAINTAINED. • OVER 8000 PRISONERS, BOOTY INCLUDED 150 GUNS. Received 8.40. LONDON, Oct 25. A French communique states that north of the Aisne German artillery is particularly active in the sectors of La Roye, Les Bovelles', and in the region of Malmaison. On a new front which run s from Mont Dessinges, the whole whereof is in our possession to Chavignon, the enemy did not attempt enemy action. It is confirmed that tanks took an important part in yesterday's attack. The number of prisoners exceed 8000, and the booty counted includes 70 guns 30 mine-throwers, and 80 rna-chine-guns^ . Qn the right of the Meuse there 'were brisk artillery actions in the region ... pf Samagneux, Vacherauville, Chaume, and west .of Douaumont. French shipping returns show: Arrivals, 980 and sailings 1032. Sinkings of ships above 1600 tons were nil, below 1. Four were unsuccessfully attacked. :i : " : h"

Trench strategy. , LONDON, Oct 25. A correspondent at s the '. French Headquarters says: The. strategic intention of the high command in the Aisne battle is to finally and completely thrust fee enemy off the crest line. We now hold practically the entire line of the crest between Craonne and Vauxillon, and in addition have got a commanding view of the Ailette Valley from end to end, also a view up the Ardon Valley, at the head of which stands Laon, and a view northward across the plain over the enemy communications to Anizy, in fee upper Coney Fores^ PARIS Oct 24. The "Matin" states that the German losses in the Aisne fighting are about 26,000. The victory means that the enemy, who have been on the defensive since February, are still unable to take the initiative anywhere, and will be forced to make a strategic retreat in order to avoid disaster.

COLONEL REPINGTON'S VIEWS. PERSHING COPIES KITCHENER. LONDON, Oct 24. Colonel Repington visited the Americans at the front. He says General Pershing could put divisions into the line now, but is resolved to perfect the armies before they undertake a gigantic battte Excepting air and water, all supplies for tITS troops are coming from America also even great quantities of rolling stock. Dealing with the general position, Colonel Repington says: Ascertainable figures show that the chances of Germany winning by dint of numbers has long since passed. The German fighting strength is now 5,750,000 whereof 2,208,000 are in the west ? 1,200,000 in the east and the balance in depots, garrisons and administrative services. There are probably half a million reserves including 380000 partly-trained of the 1919 class, which, with recovered woundeds, are only available for reinforcements. If the 1918 fighting is on a similar scale to this and last year, Germany will be compelled to use the 1920-21 classes next year or "weaken and reduce divisions. She will probably make superhuman efforts this winter to equal the British artillery output and beat us in the maintenance of infantry strength.

GERMANS' COUNTER-ATTACKS. ALL COMPLETELY REPULSED. Received 11.5. LONDON, Oct 25. Sir Douglas Haig reports that he completely repulsed another strong counter-attack last night south of Houthulst Wood*. The Gloucesters, Worcesters, and Berkshires successfully raided positions between Renoun and Gavrelle. TWO REGIMENTS OF GUARDS. INCLUDING THE INVINCIBLES CAPTURED BY TSE FRENCH. Eeceived 11.5. PARIS, October 25. Two regiments of Gorman Guards were captured in the Aisne battle, including the Fifty-Fifths. They regarded one of the elite men, who possessed certificates attesting that they had ) repelled twenty one attacks and that they therefore merited the title of the invincibles.