WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 29 November 1917, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

AT VERDUN November 27. A French comunique reports successful local operations. Last evening north of Hill 344, on the right bank of the Meuse, we reduced an enemy strong point fully completing the gains obtained on Sunday. SOFTENING THE ENEMY

ASHINGTON, November 27. W

Mr N .D Baker ? Minister for War, in a communique, says that the Allies’ slow and relentless sapping of German strength and man power on the West Front transcends a territorial giant. Germany attacked Italy, hoping to divert enough English and French troops to prevent further offensives. The continued attacks will eventually result, in the softening of the enemy’s west front line. He characterises the British strategy at - Cambrai as daringly conceived and brilliantly executed. Italy’s steady resistance was connected with the Cambrai victory. The Italian morale is daily improving

YPRES AND CAMBRAI HOSTILE ARTILLERY ACTIVE. Received 8.35 Sir Douglas Haig reports hostile last night in the neighbourhood of Bourlon Wood; also further infantry action and lerying eastward and northeastward of Ypres. WEATHER TURNED BITTERLY COLD MEN AND ANIMALS SUFFER Received" 8.35 LONDONfi, November 28. Mr Philip Gibbs states Thata "’SJe weather has turned bitterly cold. Men and animals are suffering from the exposure to savage cutting wind over a wide stretch of shelterless country. The army has moved on beyond standing habitations and all the ordinary comforts are left behind. There is the whole sir etc rf of the Somme where villages are rubbish heaps and graveyards and signboards indicate the positions of Poizieres, Combles, and Guillemont. Otherwise it is a wild waste and desolation haunted with hidden horrors. THE CAMBRAI PUSH. FURIOUS? FIGHTING.

LONDON, November 27.

Headquarters reports furious attacks and counter, attacks on the new battle front. We hammered away early this morning into the northern portion of Fontaine Notre Dame village between Bourlon and Cambrai, attacking from the direction of Courlon Wood. We drove the Prussians by bayonets and bombs into the southern half of the village. During the attack a daring English raid on Bourlon village succeeded in rescuing a party of officers and men who had been isolated there during the night. A Prussian attack from the village against the wood was completely cut up by machine-gun fire. Sir Douglas Haig reports: Loca'l attack at dawn in the neighbourhood of Fontaine Notre Dame and Bourlon villages led to severe fighting. The enemy, strongly reinforced, contested the advance with great stubbornness. The xight swayed backwards and forwards. We advanced our lines, and took over 500 prisoners. In the afternoon we drove off an attempted attack on a position on the Hindenburg Line on a spur westward of Moucvres.

There is great activity by enemy’s artillery eastward and northeast of Ypres. FONTAINE NOTRE DAME. FREQUENTLY CHANGING HANDS. Received 9.55. LONDON, November 28. Headquarters Correspondent, writing on Tuesday, says there has been the bitterest fighting near Fontaine since Tuesdaay morning the region was covered by heavy bombardment which was maintained the whole forenoon. The British fought their way right through the village in face of the heaviest rifle and machine-gun fire sending back 500 prisoners, captured in fortified houses at strong points. Germans later in the morning coun-ter-attacked with two new' divisions and under the weight of overwhelming numbers we slowdy relinquished our footing in Fontaine and it is not clear wdiether we retain any portion of the ruins now'. It is certafti the Germans have re-organised their defences with fresh troops. We still hold the high ground and have a great tactical advantage, although the enemy’s stiffer resistance means desperate fighting. The weather remains abominable. • 5;

A FRENCH TRAITOR PARIS, November 27. The Chamber of Deputies has decided to send M. Malvy formerly Minister for the Interior, for trial. It is unofficially alleged that while Minsiter for the Interior he informed the enemy of all military and diplomatic projects, especially the attack on the Chemin des Dames, and also encouraged mutiny in the army.

BERLIN PEACE DEMONSTRATORS

MANY ARRESTS ARE MADE

Received 11.25

AMSTERDAM, Nov. 28

German Socialists held peace demonstrations in Berlin on Sunday and Monday, also at Buda Pesth. Many arrests were made.