WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 2 November 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

NEW BRITISH OFFENSIVE. Eeceived 9.5 a.m. NEW YORK, Nov. 1. The British have launched a_ new offensive to the south of Valenciennes. THE VALENCIENNES THRUST. Received 11.30 a.m. LONDON, Nov 1. Sir Douglas Haig reports: The Second Army attacked this morning south westward of Audenardo, and captured all their objectives. About one thousand prisoners were taken. The aviation reports states: Our squadrons on October 30th displayed intense activity on the whole front. Over three thousand photographs were taken, and nearly twenty tons of bombs were dropped. The squadron 7 successfully attacked an aerodrome, demolishing two hangars containing machines from a low altitude, and caused many casualties to the 'personnel of the aerodrome. BRITISH DRIVE PROGRESSING. Received 11.40 a.m. NEW YORK, Nov 1. The British have captured 1500 prisoners on the Valenciennes front. The advance continues. A GERMAN REPORT. Received 10.10 a.m. LONDON, Nov 1. A wireless German official states : ■A hostile attack from the Dutch frontier as. far as the Scheldt broke down before the Lys front.

GERMANY'S SHATTERED HOPES,

LONDON, Oct 31

'A captured order, signed General von Larisch, commanding an army corps in Busigny sector, dated October 19th, says:—"We will accept a decisive battle on the Lys-Hermann Line, which must be held at any price." The Hermann Line is the Scheldt Line, which we subsequently captured along von Larisch's sector. Another divisional order says: The High Command has ordered that the troops be made to understand that the Hermann-Stellung Line must be held at all costs, for the reason that if this is held there is good prospects of carrying out peace negotiations, or arranging an armistice. If this line is not held, peace in the near future is out of the question. Make this point perfectly clear by word of mouth. Another order says:—The main obstacle to peace ior justice is the unbridled will of the enemy commanders to annihilate the German army. They hope to achieve this by renewed attacks. Only by standing firm can the scheme of the enemy commanders be frustrated and an honourable peace secured. The enemy infantry is inferior in quality, without the capacity of resistance. If we must turn our backs on them we are lost, and with us the whole German army. If only everyone stands firm our task is easy, and we shall be able to settle accounts with the enemy, but every man must stand. That is a question of honour. FRENCH REPORT. Received 11.40 a.m. LONDON, Nov 1. A French reports states: Heavy fighting is taking place on the western slopes of St. Fergeux plateau, which resulted to our advantage. BELGIAN PROGRESS REPORTED. Received 11.40 a.m. LONDON, Nov 1. A Belgian communique states: As a result of local operations we have almost everywhere established our-

selves on the western bank of the Lys and the Derivation Canal. The hamlet of Daalon has been captured. AMERICAN OPERATIONS. Received 11.40 a,.m. LONDON, Nov 1. An American communique states: North of Verdun we ejected the enemy from the village of Brieulles, west of the Meuse. Artillerying is of the heaviest on the whole front. SPLENDID AERIAL WORK. Received 11.40 a.m. LONDON, Nov 1. Sir Douglas Haig's aviation report adds: Many casualties were also caused, by machine gun fire, sTamped.ing the horse transport. The air fighting resulted greatly in our favour, and was the outstanding feature of the