WESTERN ATTACK.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 October 1917, Page 5

WESTERN ATTACK.

jSTRATEGY OF AISNE BATTLE. TO THRUST ENEMY OFF CREST "JNE. „ HIGH POINTS NOW HELD. Reuter Service. •Received Oct. 25, 8.50 p.m. London, Oct. 25. The correspondent at French headquarters says the strategic intention of the High Command in the Aisne battle is to finally and completely thrust the er.emy off the crest line. We now hold practically the entire line of crests between Craonne and Vauxaillon, and in addition «'e have got a commanding view of the Tilette valley from end to end. We have also a view up the Ardon valley, at the head of which stands Laon, and a view northward across the plain over the enemy communication to Anizy, in the upper Coucy forest. SUCCESS OF FRENCH TANKS

GERMANS TRAPPED IN QUARRY,

PEAR OP BEING MASSACRED. j Received Oct. 2.3, 8.57 London, Oct. 24. The Daily Chronicle's correspondent at the French headquarters states that the French tanks did good work in the last battle. Their mechanism is like the British, but the machines are smaller, possessing greater manoeuvring power than our early models, and they carry field guns and several machine-guns. The tanks captured tho ruined farmsteads which were holding up the attack. The French artillery smashed the caves and tunnels on two plateaux in the sector. Four hundred Germans, who were trapped in a quarry, refused' to emerge, .believing. the French massacred their (prisoners, until assurances were given to the contrary.

THE FRENCH ATTACK.

FORMIDABLE DEFENCES OVERCOME. OVER SOOO PRISONERS TAKEN. Paris, Oct. 24. The battle began in darkness, an hour before dawn. The central point of attack was Malmaison Fort, which was defended by German Guardsmen. The Germans altogether massed six divisions on the threatened front. Malmaison Fort was in ruins, but .proved of immense use to the enemy as an o'jservatory. Its glacis, cleared by shells, was reconstructed a.id furnished with machine-gun posts, connected labyrinth of caves and tunnels running to the German rear. Many German troops were forty feet below tho surface. The whole crest attacked was honeycombed with ancient quarries. Fortunately the French held similar caverns on the southern slopes of the hills, where they were able to lodge their reserves until needed.

The French used Win. guns to break up the quarries. London, Oct. 24. A French communique says: The night was calm. The enemy bombarded our new lines, especially in the region of Vaudesson. We are organising our gains. We have hitherto taken 8000 prisoners, including 100 officers, belonging to eight different divisions. It is confirmed that two enemy divisions placed in reserve behind the front participated in yesterday's fighting and were severely handled. A violent attack north-east of Hill 344 on the right of the Meuse waa repelled after a desperate fight. The enemy obtained a footing in our advanced line, but was driven out, and our line entirely restored. A German attempt upon the Carnieres Crest failed with heavy losses.

ENEMY COUNTER-ATTACKS

COMPLETELY REPULSED BY BRITISH.

London, Oct. 24. Sir Douglas Haig reports: The enemy last night again attacked positions in Houthulst Wood, at the junction of the Anglo-French armies, but was completely repulsed. Since Monday the enemy has delivered seven counter-attacks, without achieving material results at any points. The successfully raided south-eastward of Gavrelle. GERMAN LOSSES AT THE AISNE. FORCED TO RETREAT. Jaus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Reuter. I Received Oct, 25, 10.37 p.m. Paris, Oct. 25. Le Matin states that tho German losses in the Aisne fighting were about 26,000. The victory means that the enemy, who has been on the defensive since February, 1916, is still unable to take the initiative anywhere, and will he forced to make a strategic retreat in order to avoid disaster. EFFECTIVE BRITISH ARTILLERYING Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Reuter. Received Oct. 25, 8.57 p.m. London, Oct. 24. Sir Douglas Haig reports: There has been mutual heavy artillery activity at Houthulst forest positions, our battery work being destructive at various points. Tho weather is wet and stormy.