WESTERN ATTACK.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 November 1917, Page 5

WESTERN ATTACK.

CAPTURE OF PASSCHENDAELE CANADIANS HOLDING FIRMLY. OUR AIRMEN'S MASTERY. London, Nov. 7. 'Sir , Douglas Haig reports that the Canadians' operations in the morning were completely successful against the defence in and around Passchendaele, and on the spur north and north-west. After a successful assembly the assault was launched at six o'clock, as arranged, The enemy had been ordered to hold this important position on the main ridge at all costs. v Hard fighting followed at a number of points, particularly on the high ground northward of the village, for a colicction of fortified buildings and strong points on the Goeberg Spur. Nevertheless the troops made steady progress and captured at an early hour Passchendaele village and Mosselmark and Goeberg hamlets.

They gained all their objectives before midday, and made a number of prisoners. It was raining at intervals. Our guns are dealing effectively with the enemy's hatteries and concentrations of infantry.

In a later report Sir Douglas H'aig says: The Liverpool troops made a successful raid north-westward of Queant. •VVc are consolidating the positions gained yesterday. Mr. Phillips states that a feature of the capture of Passehendaele was the tveak resistance of the troops opposing J the Canadians. The 11th German Division, composed of hardy Breslau battalions, was ordered to hold on at all costs, hut many surrendered, mora ran away and none stood their ground. The Canadians advanced more than 2000 yards and twenty minutes after the attack was launched the Canadians were rooting out the occupants of the Passehendaele cellars. When the Germans sought to fly down the slopes the, Canadians brought Lewis guns to bear on them and killed the fugitives. Our airmen were masters of the sky nnd swarmed above the German lines. Tiie few enemy aeroplanes were quickly driven off. The United Press correspondent writes:— Despite the Germans' orders to contest every inch of ground of the ridge positions, the Canadians are today sitting tight in Passchendaele, thirty hours after its capture. The gains elsewhere have been maintained. The enemy several times massed for counterattacks, but barrages checked Prince Rupprecht's stormors before they fairly got away. The night (has been quiet along the new battlefront. There are some gas shelling in the Hanebeek Valley and heavy enemy shelling eastward of Polygon Wood all day. The Germans also shelled battery areas, hut the infantry showed little inclination to prolong the battle. Rain was falling this morning, under which the rain-soaked Canadians were grimly grinning astride the slippery ridge. A wireless German official report says: There was desperate fighting in Flanders yesterday. The enemy penetrated Passchendaele village. We retook the easter|i portion of the village. Strong attacks against Becelacre and Gheluvelt failed. j* French communique says: A violent bombardment in the region of Chaumss Wood, on the right of tho Meuse, im followed by an enemy attack. Our fire drove back the assailants, who were unable to reach our lines, Now York, Nov. 7. Advices from France state that artillery firing continues fairly active in the American sector.

NO ENEMY REACTION.

BRITISH LOSSES LIGHT. Received Nov. 8, 11 p.m. London, Nov. 8. Sir Douglas Haig reports: We continued organising our new positions on the Passehendaele high ground and neighborhood undisturbed. There was no reaction, despite the great importance the enemy attached to the locality. Four hundred prisoners were taken yesterday, including 21 officers. Our losses in what was a highly successful operation were light. A French communique, states: There is reciprocal artillery activity north of the Aisne, in the sector of Filain-Chavignon, and on the right hank of the Meuse in [the region of Chaume wood. We made a successful attack on German positions north-west of Altkirch, taking a number of prisoners. j BOMBING RAILWAY JUNCTIONS. Received Nov. 8, 10 p.m. London, Nor. 8. The Admiralty reports: Our aircraft last night dropped large quantities of explosives on Thoiirout and Lichtervelde railway stations, obtaining several direct hits.