WESTERN ATTACK.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 October 1917, Page 5

WESTERN ATTACK.

PRUSSIAN MILITARY MACHINE SLOWLY GOING TO PIECES. -MEANING OP BRITISH STRATEGY.

Received Oct. 22, 5.5 p.m.

Washington, Oct. 21. Mr. 'Frank Simmonds, in a striking article in the New York Tribune, says the British thrust threatens the whole German position from Lille to Verdun, and that only bad weather can delay the retreat on the Mouse. The real meaning of the British strategy is to force a retirement of the enemy from thej Ant-werp-Brussels-Verdun line. The Britisli will probably reach Menin and Roulers this year. Although the Russians have collapsed and released many thousands of Germans, the latter are unable even to hold down the Allies, who are clearly over tlie crest of the hill. The Prussian military machine is slowly but surely going to pieces.

EXTENSIVE AERIAL WORK. THIRTEEN HUN MACHINES SETTLED.

Received Oct. 22, 9.5 p.m,

London, Oct. 21. ' Sir Douglas Haig reports: Irish regiments made a successful raid north-east of Croiselles. There is great reciprocal artillery activity, and, despite the mist, there is extensive aerial work. To-day our planes 'bombed a foundry and railway junction north-west of Saarbrucken, fires following. Many scouts attacked a bombing squadron. Four of them were brought down. On Saturday bombs were dropped on aerodromes at Coutrode, Roulers station, Cortemarck, and on various billets and hutments. At Roulers a bomb destroyed a machine that was on the ground, whilst a second fell through the centre of a hangar. Meanwhile, our scouts operating in the neighborhood brought down seven enemy machines. A ton of bombs was dropped on the Ingleminsta aerodrome and railway station, also on aerodromes at Courtrai, where a direct hit was obtained on a marfiilte that was endeavoring to leave the ground. During the day thirteen enemy machines were brought down.

STRONG ENEMY ATTACK,

BEATEN OFF BY FRENCH. Received Oct. 22, 9.5 p.m. London-, Oct. 21. A French communique reports: There was a violent artillery struggle at various points on the Aisne front, especially in the region of Ailles and Cerny. A strong enemy attack north-west of Bezonvaux was driven off after violent fighting. Enemy aeroplanes dropped <lO bombs in the region of Dunkirk tlm evening.

GROUND IMPROVING.

SEVEN GERMAN DIVISIONS SMASHED. Received Oct. 23, 12.15 a.m. London, Oct. 22. Mr Robinson, the war correspondent, says that the condition of the ground has improved, and will soon allow infantry action on a big scale. A letter found oil a pioneer prisoner states that the English in four days smashed seven German divisions. AMERICAN AVIATORS' PLEASANTRY. Washington, Oct. 20. United States aviators are flying over the German lines dropping numerous Liberty Loan posters bearing most influential pictorial and statistical data. GERMAN OPPRESSION OF THE BELGIANS. Washington, Oct. 20. Official advices show that Germany continues to bleed Belgium financially and of working men and materials, and incalculable economic waste has been inflicted. Working men are secured or forced to work on the German front in Prance. German factories are conducting an insiduous recruiting campaign without interruption. The Germans have levied war contributions which total over 288 millions and fines have added 40 millions.

ARTILLERY .VORK ON FRENCH FRONT. London, Oct. 21. A French communique says: There ia violent artillery fire on the Aisne. AIR RAID"oFiiuGES. London, Oct. 21. Sir Douglas Haig says: There is nothing to report except reciprocal artillery work. The Admiralty reports: Our airmen dropped bombs on the Bruges docks ant? the Engela aerodrome. A fire broke out in the latter place. All the airmen returned. THE GERMAN REPORT. London, Oct. 21, A wireless German official report says: The enemy bombarded Oatend from the sea. There is most violent artillery fire between Vauxaillon and Braye.