WESTERN ATTACK.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 December 1917, Page 5

WESTERN ATTACK.

ATTEMPTED RAID REPULSED. LIVELY ARTILLERYJNG ON FRENCH FRONT. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Renter. Received Dec. 10, 9.2,j p.m. London, Dec. 10. Sir Douglas Haig reports: There have been outpost encounters west of Graiueourt. An attempted raid southward of Lens was repulsed. Enemy artillery has been more active in the Messines sector. Our aeroplanes bombed hostile billets. A French communique states: There have been fairly lively artillery actions at Sapegnul and Maison de Champagne, on the right of the Meuse. ENEMY'S SITUATION UNTENABLE. Reuter Service London, Dee. 9. A headquarters correspondent, writing on the Stli, says his impression is that the, enemy's situation is almost untenable in a considerable area of the country he is re-occupying. Our whole withdrawal resulted in establishing a tremendously strong position, and |he leccnt gains are thoroughly defended. He concludes: "Everybody on our side to-day s«ems to wear a smile of quiet confidence." FRENCH REPULSE ATTACK. London, Dec. 9. A French communique states: —The enemy made an attempt on our positions near Bezonvaux, which was repelled with appreciable losses after a sharp fight. ARTILLERY ACTIVITY ONLY. London, Dec. 9. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—The enemy's artillery was active last night southward of Cambrai, along the right ban IT of TTi"e river Scarpe, southward of Lens, and in the Passchendaele sector.