WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 1 November 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

ON THE FRENCH FRONT MINOR PROGRESS MADE.. LONDON, October 30. This evening’s French communique reports that between the Oise and the Serre lively artillery contests are in progress, notably in the region of Crecj sur Serre. The Fifth Army attacked westward of Chateau Porcien on the Aisne, on a front of seven miles. Betwen St. Quentin and Serpy the enemy was ordered to hold his line at all costs, and resisted with great desperation. On the left we debouched from St. Quentin le Petit and carried the lines to the approaches of Hill 73. Westward of Banoges we made progress, in the centre, overcoming all resistance, and drove the enemy over the Eeconvrance Road. On the right we gained Hill 156 and advanced eastwards. The prisoners counted exceed '' . An American official communique says;- Northward of . Verdun we oeeupied Aincreville, and established lines northward of the village. ADVANCING ON GUISE. , Received 10.10 a.m. . LONDON, Oct 31. A” French communique states: South of Guise we captured several enemy trenches and approaches to the road from. Guise to Lahorie and Lavieville. We continued the offensive against BancS~gnes and Herpy. The liveliest fighting is in progress west of St. Fergieux. v ' I GERMANY’S BROKEN PLANS

LONDON, October 31. Renter’s correspondent at British headquarters, writing on the 30th, states: Copies of German orders and battle objective maps, which have recently fallen into our hands, show how complete has been the miscarriage of the enemy schemes. Great efforts were made to bolster the flagging spirits of the men by impressing on them the idea that the more strenuously they

fight the better will be the prospect of favourable peace terms. Thus, im- \ der date October 12th, the following document was issued: The High Command states that the possibility of an armistice depends on the battle coming to a standstill. Every gunner must carry out his duty night and day. The English must not cross the Selle; the artillery must prevent them. FRESH ATTACK IN FLANDERS Received 11.30 a.m. LONDON, October 31. The United Press reports: The Franco-British attached this morning towards Ghent, and is reported to be going well. “NOTHING TO REPORT." Received Noon. LONDON, Oct 31. 'Sir D. Haig reports nothing, except outpost artillery activity. -The Press Bureau states the Independent Air Force attacked on Tuesday night two important chemical works at Mannheim, with good results; also blast furnaces at Earbatch, - railways at Thionville and Offenburg, IF and an aerodrome at Hcgenau. Direct hits were noted on aP targets.