A SMASHING BLOW.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 October 1917, Page 5

A SMASHING BLOW.

KEYSTONE OP ENEMY'S DEFENCE. COMPLETE VICTORY ACHIEVED. Australian Cable Association. •Received Oct. 0, 1.55 a.m. London, Oct. 5. Mr. Gibbs describes this morning's attack us the battle of Brood-ieimle. The assault started from the ground captured on September 20, northward and southward of the Polygon Wood. We advanced upon the Passchendael ridge, and apparently reached the Gravesmefel Bnd Abraham heights, which crown tlin western spur of the ridge, and Broodscinde, which is a high point and the keystone of the enemy's defend: line beyond Zonnebeke. We are fighting southward of this with good between Cameron House and Ueieltre, across the Reutc-lbeke and its swampy ground, down beyond Polderhoek to the south end of the Menin road. Our wounded speak of the smashing blow dealt the Germans and the complete victory achieved. AUSTRALIANS PRAISED.

GERMAN ATTACK MIS-TIMED,

ATTACKERS ANNIHILATED. POSSIBLY TURNING POINT OF WAR. Received Oct. 0, 12.50 a.m. London, Oct. 5. The Australians participated in the aitack. Correspondents pay a tribute to the steadiness and determination of their advance, which gained all the desired ground, equalling their achievetnents on September 20th and 2Gth, Mr. Philip Gibbs says the fortune of war is on our side. The German High Command, having s een the failure of the pill-box system of defence, planned a big attack this morning, calculated to stun us and take the wind out of our next attack, but the German attack was an hour late. W r e had to advance through the German barrage, which was laid down preparatory to their attack. Our attackers reached the first and second lines and annihilated the troops which were waiting to attack, and inflicted a crushing defeat on his choir of troops that may well be the turning point of the war.

OFFICIAL REPORT. SATISFACTORY PROGRESS MADE. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter. Received Oct. 5, 7.40 p.m. London, Oct. 4. Sir Douglas Haig reports: We attacked at six this morning on a wide front eastward of Ypres, our troops making satisfactory progress. GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT. Received Oct. 5, 10 p.m. London, Oct. n. Wireless German official: There was ft powerful artillery duel the night long from Houthoult Wood to the l i s. H increased in the morning to drumfire, when strong English attacks in the Ypres bend developed. The French attempt to recapture the positions on Hill !U4 broke down. WHAT THE GERMANS SAY. Received Oct. (i, 1.45 a.m. London, Oct. fi. A wireless German official report says: To-day's great English attack penetrated only a kilometre deep between Poeleapelle and Gheluvelt. Bitter fighting continues eastward of Zonnebeke and westward of Becelare. THE SEW GERMAN "TANK." Received Oct. 5, 7.30 p.m. London, Oct. 4. The correspondent at French headquarters states that the Germans are experimenting with a tank which lias a tilted beak to assist in crossing trenches. It has a small conning tower, for observation purposes, which is armor protected. The caterpillar carries a Sin. gun and two machine-guns.

ARTILLERY ACTIVE. Received Sept. 5, 0.15 p.m. London, Oct. 5. A French communique states: The,artillery of 'both sides was active during the night on the Mouse. As a reprisal for the bombardment of Bar-le-Duc our aircraft bombed Frankfort and Rastaft. FRENCH REPULSE ENEMY ATTACKS Eeeeived Oct. U. 1.45 a.m. ■ London, Oct. u. A French communique states: Hand .grenade and artillery action took place on the platea.<x south of Aiiles. Au enemy coup-de-main was repulsed west of Pompplle. There lias been n violent artillery struggle on the right bank of the Meuse. An attack on our trenches north of Hill 342 was repulsed. Our artillery caught the enemy assemblages in this region. CANADA. SIR WILFRID LAIUEIER'S SUCCESSOR New York, Oct. •?. The Montreal correspondent of the New York Times states that Mr. Frank Carvel] will succeed Sir Wilfrid Laurier in the leadership of the Liberal Party.