WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 9 January 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

WINTER IN FRANCE.

ENEMY LEGIONS GATHER. LONDON, December 22. Reuter’s correspondent at headquarters says that the ground is deep in frozen snow, rendering transport most difficult. Big operations have become almost impossible but the enemy is displaying considerable activity, and a good deal of movement is in progress behind the German lines under suspicious circumstances, based on past experience, as the enemy is using the Red Cross flag freely, The recent spirited lenemy attack south of Polderhock Chateau only succeeded owing to our men having used up all available grenades. Referring to much-bruited reports of the arrival of a number of fresh enemy divisions in Belgium from the eastern front the correspondent arrives at the conclusion .that a liberal estimate of the trench strength of such divisions does not exceed 3500 infantrymen of all ranks. Germany’s strength on the FrancoBritish front is estimated at Washington at 154 divisions, one division less than the great force massed last July, when the German strength was at xts maximum.

Official despatches say that the withdrawals from the Russian front and the young reserves have enabled the Kaiser to make up his enormous losses and to replace the men sent to Italy.

THAW ON THE WEST FRONT. WILL THE GERMAN OFFENSIVE TAKE PLACE. LONDON, January 7. Mr. Gibbs writes: The frost is breaking and there arc signs that a great thaw has now begun, which will soon transform Flanders into a quagmire. There are indications that the month may pass ? ; vithoi:)r fbig battles, upd with luck February also. Probably in March, we may look for flic opening of tile enemy’s threatened offensive. His preparations behind the lines include hospital accommodation for scores of thousands. By the sjdes of March other councils may prevail, for it will be only on a last hazard that the enemy will order this new sacrifice of German manhood, and the German nation may refuse to countersign the order for that blood, Our defensive lines arc strong, and if subjected to massed attacks similar to Verdun, we will exact a fearful price. ACTIVITIES IN FLANDERS. LONDON, January 7. • Sir Douglas Haig reports: We rcnulsod a raid south-east of Ypres. Hostile artillery is active at Passchcndaele. We brought down eight enemy machines. One of ours is missing.