WESTERN ATTACK.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 July 1917, Page 5

WESTERN ATTACK.

THE NIEUPORT REVERSE A REASONABLE EXPLANATION. London, July 12. Military critics point out that the Nicuport set-back cvmes as a surprise, bin its imnot'liia'v. must no* he overestimated. The British ha\e only recently taken ever the dmus /eotor. The heavy gale on Tuesday possibly necessitated the temporary absence of the warships which supported the army. It has been long evident that either side, after adequate artillery preparation, -would be able to gain 'temporary possession of a small section of trench. The big German guns established in the dimes made Tuesday's success, and when the Yser bridges were broken, the British battalions holding the sector were unable to resist longer. The repulse of the enemy at Loms»*». zyde proves the German success to be only local. Hindenburg has not tiie slightest hope of breaking the British line at Nieuport. The real reason for the attack was that the Germans were becoming fearful that the Allies would advance along the coast, and accordingly they collected troops, intending to forestall the British attack, or as a preparation for withdrawing elsewhere on the line.