WESTERN ATTACK.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 December 1917, Page 5

WESTERN ATTACK.

GERMAN POWER SPENT. BRITISH COMMAND BREATHES MORE FREELY. ENEMY'S WELL THOUGHT-OUT PLAN. London, 'Doc. 5. Mr. OiUbs says: A German battalion at La Yaequerie advanced in dense, order without any attempt at concealment. The ranks' withered under our steady fire. We made repeated counter-attacks westward from Gonnelieu, and the artillery nut out of action many guns in the Banteaux Ravine, where there was a large concentration of Gorman artillery. Some British soldiers, cut off and taken prisoner in Friday's fighting are coming back. They have been biding in the enemy's lines. In one case 40 escaped from a. German barbed wire enclosure, swam the canal, and regained their comrades. It is too soon to claim decisive results, but anxiety about our defence has lilted perceptibly, and to-day the British commanders are breathing more easily. The Germans have struck their heaviest Mow, and the menace of German success seems to have passcTL The enemy's plan waß well thought out. He was cunning in bringing up troops secretly and not launching the attack until our morning patrols liad gone their rounds and reported all quiet, but, after the first surprise, the ; enemy was punished in a dreadful manner. The grim valor of our men has now broken the assault. London, Dec. 8. The United Press correspondent reports that prisoners state that two new German divisions are coming up, and will be thrown in shortly, meanwhile there is a lull in the enemy attacks. The British artillery broke an attempted attack around Moeuvres. The enemy also massed for an attack between La Jacquerie and Gonnelieu. but our gun Are smashed them before the kick-off. , NEW FRENCH REPRESENTATIVE. Paris, Dec. S. M Clemenceau. desiring to keep General Foeh in Paris, has appointed General Wnygard supreme head of the War Council. LUDENDORFF'S PLAN.

COMPLETELY TAILED ' BUT BRITISH ADVANCE CHECKED. Eeeeived Dec. 6, 7.30 p.m. London, 'Dec. 5. A high military authority states there is little doubt that the enemy's attack at Cambrai was planned and supported by General von Ludendorff. It was similar to our attack which broke through the famous Hindenburg line, which Ludendorff designed. The latter declared that if ever it were broken through he would begin a battle of manoeuvres, which would he successful. Ludcndorff's plan was a thoroughly good one, as most German plans were. Ho carried out a simultaneous attack on both sides of the salient, with a. massed attack on the centre. The attack on Rourlon Wood and the manoeuvres on the front and centre failed completely. Although the enemy losses by these failures are. extremely heavy, it could not be said that he had not made substantial gains, because if our flank had gone our supply to the men on the front would become difficult, necessitating some adjustment of the line. Possibly a slight withdrawal of the northern front may be necessary. The Germans may fairly claim to have checked our advance. German claims that they captured a hundred gun 3 and six thousand prisoners may be taken with a grain of salt. We captured altogether 050 German guns, whereof 510 were taken in 1917, including 138 at Cambrai. Regarding the Italian front, there was great talk in the press of the coming German attack. He was unable to see any such immediate intention. The enemy's advance was definitely checked. PRESSURE STILL STRONG. GERMANS BRINGING UP MORE RESERVES. BRITISH INCREASED GUN-POWER. Received Dec. 7, 12.10 a.m. London, Dec. fi. Mr. Phillips says the pressure on our Cambrai front is still very strong. The enemy is determined to recover his lost prestige by re-taking at least a portion of the Hindenburg line. We must expect further efforts, and perhaps there will be further fluctuations of the battle front, but owing to his heavy losses and our increased gun power, the German more ambitious encirclement scheme camrot be attempted. Further levies from Flanders and Russia are being brought up for slaughter. The enemy has little cover for his reserves where we hold the Hindenburg line. AN ALLIED GENERALISSIMO, j TO PIT AGAINST HINDENBURG. Received Dec. 6, 11.40 p.m. Paris, Dec. 5. The press is disappointed that the Allied Conference has not settled the continued demand for the appointment of an allied generalissimo to pit against Hindenburg. M. Clcmenccau promises a definite statement in a fortnight. GERMAN REPORT. London, Dec. B. Wireless German Official.—Enemy attacks south-west of Moeuvres broke down.

BRITISH STRENGTHENED EACH DAY. GERMANS WILL NOT DEFEAT THEM. Received Dec. 6, 11.40 p.m. United Service. London, Dec. .">. Mr. Robinson writes that the Hermans continue their concentrations at Cambrni, but each clay strengthens us. The Germans will never convert our victory into defeat.