THE FRENCH PART.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 October 1917, Page 5

THE FRENCH PART.

ENCIRCLING HOUTIIULST FOREST.

AN INEXPENSIVE VICTORY.

Received Oct. 10, 10.40 p.m. London, Oct. 10. The Daily Chronicle's Paris correspondent says that Genera] AnthoineV armv, co-operating- with the British, pushed on and occupied half the ground between the lines secured on July 31 and Houthnlst forest. To-day's plan was to swing tne French right, thus semi-eirelin.' the Houthnlst forest, which had become a formidable, enemy fortress in the last three years; but our guns had greatly reduced the value of this low-lying woodland, and the (ierraans had already withdrawn their heavier guns hitherto'secreted in the forest. However, even the bare stumps of the former forest trees' Uiake dangerous nests for machine-guns. The forest covers an area of three 'diles by two.

In overcoming the obstacle, General Anthoino's mastery of the newest, gunnery science was a great asset. The French assault troops went over the top at ;">..SO a.m. The country was still buried in fog and gloom. The charge was preceded by an effective barrage. The troops quickly cleared out the centred of Oennan resistance on the east bank of St. Jeansbeek and Broenbeek. Within two hours three hundred prisoners and a number of guns were captured on a mile front.

The French luckily caught an enemy division while relieving another. The former was just from the Russian front, and, being new to the sector, the Germans, were in no condition to meet the dashing French onslaught. By 10 o'clock the French were before the ruins of the village of Mangelaere.

. The whole success was won with prac tically no loss of French lives.

THE FRENCH REPORT.

London, Oct. 9. A French communique says: In Belgium, in conjunction with the British, We attacked at 8.30 this morning German positions south of the Forest of Houthulst, between Dracibank and Wcydendrift. Fighting continues, and is developing in our favor.

On the Aisne front there was marked artillery activity, notably in the region of Pantheon. On the right bank of the Meust' there is s.v. artillery struggle in the sector north of Bois-le-Chaume.