WESTERN ATTACK.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 October 1916, Page 5

WESTERN ATTACK.

THE BIG THRUST.

GERMANS REALISING THEIR FATE. RUT MUST BE BLOWN HOMEWARDS MONTHS OF STIFF FIGHTING AHEAD. Received Oct. 22, 5.5 p.m. London, Oct. 21. Tlio -Morn inj; Post states that the headquarters of the German army on the Kommp have abandoned hopes" of an early peace, and apparently realise that the Allies are determined to secure a complete victory in the field. The Germans are busily preparing for a hard winter campaign, and even harder fighting in the Spring. They are savage, discouraged, and less staunch and dependable Hum formerly, but are far from beaten.

Many more blows like those of the last three months are needed to bring them to submission. This can be done, but not quickly. There is no ground for believing that the enemy will shorten his line without pressure. He insists upon being blown homewards.

The Army pioneers have reached perfection in the defences of Bapaume and neighbouring villages, skilfully carving the countryside beyond Bapaume into the usual trench pattern, and converting every hamlet into n miniature fort, while every crossroad has its machine-gun redoubt. True, they are not as 'formidable as the original three lines, but our engineers are using time and labor to the utmost, and the blasting process must continue indefinitely. There are many months of stiff fighting ahead. The British army contemplates- the task with equanimity, and signs are pro;ni.-ing that the German jirmy is Buffering from the strain of overwork. Some divisions on the Sommc have been thrice broken and reformed. The artillery is overworked, justifying the belief that the Germans have insufficient guns to give the necessary relief.

VICTORY IN THE AIR.

ASHMEAD BARTLETT'S REVIEW.

£XEMY TRENCH SYSTEM.

GERMAX POSITION PRECARIOUS.

Received Oct. 25, a.t> p.m.

London, Oct. 21. air. Ashmead Bnrtlctt. in a review of the situation south of the Somme, says that the Germans are holding the reremaining positions at Bar'leux and Chaulnes almost on sufferance; s 0 easy have the successful recent French attacks been. Bai'leux', however, is a veritable fortress lying in a hollow like Gambles, so that it was necessary first to drive the Germans from Mont St. Quentin. The Germans are now holding the low lying ground south of the Somme in a half-hearted manner. Their subterranean defences extort the admiration of the French troops, also their gratitude, because the v provide readymade shelters, safe from the heaviest' artillery.

Under tlie Chateau Deniecourt the Germans constructed shelters similar to electric railway tubes, lined with steel, and _ enormous underground holding a battalion and lined with sleeping bunks like the forecastle of a liner. The Germans considered it impregnable, but the French artillery drove the enemy defenders below into their ground caves. Then they were at the Frenchmen's- mercy, and 'the Germans had the choice between starvation or surrender. These complicated underground defences yield a large number of prisoners.

After a successful advance the Germans constructed a remarkable observation station near Berny, called Tour de Douvent. It was of concrete, and contained eight large rooms. Inside now lie thebodies of a colonel, two captains, and thirty-two orderlies, each wearing a gas mask. A French shell burst the entrance, resulting in concussion, and the air pressure killed all. Another obstacle was Bovent. This was an 'immensely strongly fortified sugar factory. The French sixteen-inch howitzers reduced the factory to pulp, and the dash of the infantry not only carried the factory, but the village of Ge.nermont, half a kilometre beyond it. The German position is daily more precarious, and the enemy has the most difficult river in France behind him. The French artillery is continually.smashing extemporised bridges. By holding the line the Germans are risking a crushing disastei. Their troops in this sector may. be driven over the river. The French infantry smell victory in the air. and the officers have to hold them back like dogs in a leash. f

THE USEFUL "TANK."

A GOOD WINTER ALLY. Received Oct. 22. 3.5 p.m. London. Oct. 21. The Daily Hail's correspondent reports: We hutted forward on Wednesday a long way, astride of a sunken road south-east of Warlenconrt. The advance was made in the wake of a "tank." The animal proved good, and in foul weather is likely to continue a useful ally. The mortality in the "tanks" has not been high, and they will prove useful even in death. On'o that is still straddling a trench is temporarily used as a. dressing station. The whole of our guns are pointing at a strong line of Germans attempting to dig and fortify, across the front of Bapattme.

GREAT AERIAL ACTIVITY. Received Oct. 22, 5.5 p.m. Paris, Oct. 21. A communique states: The night was quiet on the Somiue front. There was great aerial activity yesterday, and seven German machines were downed. Air squadrons dropped many bombs on stations at Noyou. the Channev canton,ment, and Jlaßv