WESTERN ATTACK.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 October 1917, Page 5

WESTERN ATTACK.

OFFENSIVE CONTINUED. ADVANCE OF OVER A MILE. LIGHT CASUALTIES New York, Oct. 9. The British have advanced bevond Poelcapelle. London, Oct. 11. The United Press correspondent states that the British advanced more than a mile in places on a front centring on Passehondaele.

The troops reached their objectives in good order and a large number of prisoners are coming in. In Dimsy Wood, north-eastward of Broo'dseinde. the Germans made & stubborn resistance, but the Australians surrounded the wood, making certain that many prisoners will be taken, unless the Germans prefer annihilation. The Allies' casualties were light. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—Wc again attacked at 5.26 this mornin,, on a wide front north-eastward and eastward of Ypres in conjunction with our Allies on our left. Reports indicate satisfactory progress at all parts of the front. The weather j is stormy. HURRICANE FIGHTING.

OUR MEN GOING STRONG. EAGER TO PUSH ON. Received Oct. 10, 8 p.m. London, Oct. 9. The United Press correspondent, writing at noort, says the English, French, and overseas troops attacked on a wide front the Passchendaele ridges. Despite desperate counter-attacks, wherein hurri|cane fighting developed, the fifth battle of the summer campaign in this area went well from the start Prisoners, frequently without escort, were apparently eager to reach haven, and are coming in in large numbers. Despite the gale, the airmen observed, fighting like taunted eagles in the storm. Last night's rain made the Flemish plains, and even the ridges, like a bog. but officers and men would not hear of a postponement. Moreover," the British weather man promised it would clear, with high winds from midnight onwards. He hit it exactly.

The troops got away well from the shell hole positions wherein/they had assembled under cover of u pitch black night. The British fought stiffly in the region of Reutel for the chateau, whence heavy machine-gun fire issued. One company rushed and took the chatea\i shortly after daylight, but were ordered back and to dig in twenty yards westward, in order to conform to the general tactics.

Later reports show the situation about the chateau ib not cleared. The Daisy Wood was bristling with all manner of German defences and was heavily garrisoned. The Australians quickly overcame the difficulties and surrounded the wood, and left a detachment to clean up while the rest went on. I The British at the time of writing are dealing with a heavy counter-attack astride the Roulers railway. The waves of Germans are breaking under a strong shellfire. The visibility is good, and our ' guns are able to score bulls-eyes.

The French are going strong and keeping shoulder to shoulder with the British loft.

! The French report the taking of several hundred prisoners. The German artillery replied raggedly. Obviously it was busier pulling back the guns than firing, although it was fairly busy at that in certain spots. The Germans are fighting hard for a brewery in Poelcappelle, The rest of the town is in British hands. A WONDERFUL ACHIEVEMENT.

ALLIES WITHIN 100 YARDS OF HOUTHHU'LST FOREST.

Received Oct. 10, 10 p.m. London, Oct. 10. Mr. Philip Cibbs says the French gained twelve hundred yards in two taking hundreds of prisoners, two field guns and many machine-guns. They also killed many. We are within a hundred yards of Houthuist forest. The Allies advanced fifteen hundred yards in depth along the line from Poelcappelle across the Ypres-Gheluvelt road. It is the moßt wonderful achievement since the Highlanders and naval division captured Beaumont Hamel in the mud and fog; but this latest work is even more wonderful, because it is on a greater scale and in fouler weather.

ENEMY AGAIN SUFFERS HEAVILY.

FIVE DIVISIONS CUT UP | Received Oct. 11, 1.30 a.m. London, Oct. 10. Mr. Philip Gibbs writes that the enemy again suffered great-losses, two new divisions, namely the 227 th (straight from Rheims, only getting into line during the night), and the 195 th (coming from the Paissian front), both received a fearful baptism of fire. Three other divisions were hard hit, and are now bleeding from many wounds. They have given us many prisoners. "GALLANT NEW ZEALANDERS." Received Oct 10, 10 p.m. London, Oct. 10. j Sir Douglas Haig, replying to Sir Thomas Mackenzie's congratulations, says: "Your message of congratulation is much appreciated by all ranks of the gallant New Zealand troops, who took a most distinguished part in the various operations." THE GERMAN REPORT. London, Oct. 9. A wireless German official message States that the English attacked this morning astride flic Bresinglie railway and northward of the YpmlleninT road. Fighting is progressing.