WESTERN ATTACK.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 August 1917, Page 5

WESTERN ATTACK.

GERMANY'S FATE. BEING DECIDED IX FLANDERS. PROSPECTS OF RENEWED BIG FIGHTING.

Zurich, Aug. 8. The Vossiche Zcitung says: Germany's fate is being decided in Flanders. An English bast> there would enable enemy air squadrons to annihilate our industrial bases, drive Germany completely from the seas, and have German industry completely at their mercy. Wo must hold our positions between the sea and the Lys or we shall lose the war.

Paris, Aug. 8. M. Marcel Hutin states that the Germans have reorganised their troops in the rear of the Flanders front and accumulated more heavy batteries, so there is a 'prospect of renewed big lighting. London, Aug. 8. Sir Douglas Haig reports: We madeft successful raid last nighfc near Lombartzyde. The enemy's artillery is active eastward and northward of 'Ypres, particularly in the neighborhood of Westhoek and of the Yprcß-Staden railway.

A wiruleis German o&cial report says: The English, after drum fixe, advanced from Nieuport northward and north-eastwards, but were driven back. Wo repulsed strong enemy attacks in the neighborhood of Bixschoote and penetrated Urenthes in the Bois de Couriers. A HremJi communique says: There was parked artillery activity on both sides lust night on most of the Aiann front. Our Are repulsed enemy detachments east of Vauxaillon and" west of tho California plateau, (which were attempting to approach our lines.

! "A BRUTAL BRITISH BLOW." PARRIED BY THE GERMANS. I A VIVID HUA PICTURE. Received Aug. 0, 8 p.m. London, Aug. 8. The German press describes the Flanders battle as tremendous, and a most bruta! British blow, wherein science assisted in many devices and weapons. George Querl, the correspondent of the Berliner Tageblatt, while declaring that the Germans can breathe again, warns the nation that this is merely the first stage of the battle. Though the first was a savage blow, it was parried, and Germany was ablo to rejoice. It was also her duty to keep back the British, whose nrtilleryiug during the last push imposed ;m uncanny tension on the German iafantry. The enemy used land dreadnoughts and winged infantry, and advanced another 3tage, wearing down tho Germans. Trench fighting amongst tho infantry followed. The British broke over the German ranks like a malicious storm, making pathways, even broad gaps, whereto the battle reached. It was the utmost of sheer human achievement. The German will to battle awoke in embittered :.beings, at whose door death was seen knocking day by day and night by night, in man to man fighting. Millions of Sims lost their loud voices. The battle became a matter of strength and nerve. The German, infantry, realising that they wore defending tlicir country's moiit powerful weapon—the U boats—resolved to block the way at the sacrifice of life. By the evening the enemy had won some success, and captured trenches, guns and prisoners, and mastered Bis.schoote, but liad not achieved its aim. The British lay bleeding against the wall over which they hoped to climb.

WET WEATHERCONTINUES,

OUR AEROPLANES CAUSE MUCH DAMAGE.

Received Aug. 9 10 p.m. London, Aug. 0. Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig reports: There is heavy rain. The French gained ground north-west of Bixsohootc. There was great activity by the enemy's artillery eastward of Yprea. Despite the weather, our aeroplanes bombed an ammunition depot on the mam rail tracks and sidings; also trains, for forty miles behind the German lines] and caused much damage.