WESTERN ATTACK.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 November 1916, Page 5

WESTERN ATTACK.

HEAVY BOMBARDMENT, i NEW DEFENCES BEING MAD^. London, Nov. 22. Sir Douglas Haig reports that the enemy is employing artillery against the right of our new front south of the Ancre. Received Nov. 23, 9 p.m. Paris. Nov. 23. A communique states: There is intermittent artillerying on the greater pan of the front, particularly at Vaux and Douaumont. Received Nov. 23, 9.10 p.m. London, Nov, 23. General Sir Douglas Haig reports: After a heavy trench mortar bombardment, the enemy raided the front and Rcuth-wjst site of St. Elie part of the front line. The trench was obliterated. Our aeroplanes attacked the raihvaj stations and transports. Received Nov. >,23, 7.40 p.m. London, Nov. 23. The Germans have initiated the compulsory registration of Luxemburgers ai:d Swiss residing in Belgium, and already deported the Luxemburgers. Amsterdam, Nov. 22. Deported men from Ghent are being sent to the Somme front to dig trenches and make wire entanglements. Havre, Nov. 22. King Albert has protested to the Pope. King Alfonso, and President Wilson, against the deportations. King Alfonso has protested to Germany. Paris, Nov. 22. The Chamber has concluded a secret sitting on the Bill calling up the 1919 class, which finally decided that men be re-examined medically.

It is understood that the question of the creation of an inter-Allied Army wsa considered.

(Men art normally called up at' 20 years. The 1910 class would, therefore, be 20 years of age, and the 1919 class only 17 years.)

BATTLE OF THE ANCRE. NAVAL DIVISION EXGAGEL, A BRILLIANT EPISODE. Received Nov. 23, 11,25 p.m. London, Nov. 23. Mr. Gibbon, writing in the Daily Chronicle, reveals the presence at the Ancre battle of the British Naval Division. He says: "No account of last week's fighting can omit the Division's attack, which made good the great name it. had won at (ither points. The division attacked the line between the Ancre and Beaumont Hamcl. a sprawling series of trenches, communications, and redoubts, also the village of Bcaucourt. The .firstbattalions gained their first object and settled down to let the second line through. The German redoubt stood on a steep slope, containing foui casements, each being armed with a battery of machine-jjuns in unprecedented numbers. Nothing could live within their range and the attack' was hung up, but the reserves which arrived were prompt and eager. The colonel of one battalion was fcur times wounded while succeeding in holding the attackers together until they neared Beiucourt. The colonel then collected all his forces within reach, pushed on to the German position, and occupied it all nig'.it. Meanwhile, the force was held up by the redoubt, and was still unsuccessful at nightfall, every attempt at progress being mown down. Three tanks then started out. One reached within a hundred yards of the redoubt, and the crew opened the door and emerged with maehine-guns. The Hermans did not wait any longer, but frantically waved a white rag and surrendered.

The same morning the oft-wounded colonel led his men forward to the village. where intense hand-to-hand fighting occurred, but the sailors could not be denied.