WESTERN ATTACK.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 October 1917, Page 5

WESTERN ATTACK.

GERMANY'S FEAR.

THAT BRITISH WILL TOT COMMUNICATIONS. NAVAL BASKS ENDANGERED. Received Oct. 2, 8.15 p.m. Washing-ton, Oct. 1. The United States' second war statement says that Germany is making desperate onslaughts, owing to her fear of tn,e British cutting the line of communications to her Ostcnd and Zcebrugge riavnl bases. The battle of Menin road shows that the Germans' fighting stamina is deteriorating. POWERFUL ENEMY ATTACKS. ALL REPULSED WITH HEAVY LOSS. CAPTURES IN SEPTEMBER. EFFECTIVE AERO BOMBING. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Renter. Received Oct. 3, 1.55 a.m. I London, Oct. 2. Sir Douglas Haig reports: The enemy launched a powerful attack on a mile front northward of the Ypres-Menin road, eastward of Polygon wood. The infantry, advancing in three waves, were driven back in disorder with heavy casualties. We followed up, taking prisoners. The enemy thrice strongly renewed the attack during the next three hours, there being heavy fighting. We repulsed the enemy everywhere, except opposite 'the south-east corner of Polygon wood, where he occupied two advanced posts. We took 52H1! prisoners in September, including 14ti officers. We also took eleven guns, including three heavies, 57 trench mortars and 377 machine gunß. Eleven, tons of bombs were dropped on the aerodrome at Gontrede and on billets and communications in the battle area.. also on dumps and headquarters near Cambrai. The enemy carried out many bombing raids at night time, but caused little damage of military importance. A photograph shows that as the result of bombing the Goutrode aerodrome the shed was hit, also three large machines which had landed in a field three miles southward of the aerodrome, two being clearly damaged. The large shed accommodating Gothas is reported to have been set on fire last night. Twelve German machines were brought down. Five of ours are missing.

FRENCH REPULSE ATTACKS. GREAT AERIAL ACTIVITY. REPRISALS ON GERMAN TOWNS. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuisr Received Sept. 2. 8.35 p.m. London, Oct. 1. A French communique states: There has been violent artillerying on both hanks of ths Meuse, especially between the Meuse and Bezonvaux. After a lively bombardment of the sector at Forge 3 the Germans attempted to reach outlines, hut our fire easily repulsed tbem. Another attempt on the right bank of the Meuse also failed. Enemy aeroplanes yesternight bomDed the reirion of Bar le Due, causing damage, the casualties being twelve. Enemy aeroplanes were downed. Our air squadrons bombed railway stations, aerodromes, cantonments, and works, causing violent fires at Fresnoy le Grande. As reprisals for the bombardment of the open town of Bar le Due, two of our aeroplanes bombed Stuttgart.

ENEMY ARTILLERY ACTIVITY. • 'London, Oct. 1. Sir" Douglas Haig reports:—There is marked enemy artillery activity east and north of Ypres and in the Xieuport sector. FURTHER RAID 0\ T ZEEBRUGGE. London, Oct. 1. The Admiralty reports that nival aircraft on Saturday night dropped several tons of bombs With good results on the lock gates at Zeebrugge, St. Denis-West-rem aerodrome, Thourout aerodrome, the Bmgeoise works and trains. Thcv caused a large fire at St. Denis-Westrom. There were several aerial combats, but all our machines returned. PAUCITY OF WAR NEWS. Received Oct. 3, 1.3 a.m. Sydney, Oct. 2. There is a paucity of war news, nothing being available from London.