WESTERN ATTACK.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 December 1917, Page 5

WESTERN ATTACK.

INCREASED HOSTILE ARTILLERYING. AERODROMES BOMBED. FRENCH BREAK A SURPRISE ] ATTACK. ¥ __ J Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter. Received Dec. 30, 5.5 p.m. London, Dec. 29. Sir Douglas Haig reports: There has been increased hostile artillerying in the neighborhoods of Polygon Wood, Passchendaele, and Langemarck. Aeroplanes bombed four aerodromes in the neighborhood of Roulers, also billets southward of Lille, and several trains. A French communique states: There is reciprocal artillerying north; of St. Quentin. The enemy's surpriscv.aitack in the region of Veho was brokeri*^ WHOLE FRONT SNOW-BOUND. ENEMY'S GAS SHELLS. EFFECTIVE BRITISH REPLIES. TROOPS M GOOD SPIRITS. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc/and Reuter. Received Dec. 30, 6.5 j>.m. London, DM. 20. Reuter's headquarters correspondent on the Western front reports that the whole front is snow-bound, German artillery are filing a large proportion of gas shells, and undoubtedly the enemy now has very large supplies of guns and ammunition, but our replies are effective. Winter training is in full swing in the back areas. The health of the troops is wonderful, and an abundance of recreation keeps them in good spirits. A LULL. ■-*■; ARTILLERY ACTIVITY OS FRENCH FRONTIER. London, Dec. 28. Sir Douglas Haig says there is nothing to report. A French communique states: On the right of the Meuse artillery activity has continued marked in Caurieres Wood and Bezonvaux. The batteries caught enemy troops assembling north-west of »Bezonvaux and dispersed them with, "heavy losses. «■ GERMAN ACTIVITY IN BELGIUM. PASSENGER TRAFFIC STOPPED. ALLIES PURCHASE ARGENTINE WHEAT. Reuter Service. Received Dec. 31, 1.30 ajn. London, Dec. 30. There is immense German activity'tn Belgium. The passenger traffic has been suspended. The Allies have purchased the Argentine wheat crop.

AERODROMES BOMBED. ELEVEN ENEMY MACHINES DOWNED. Aus. and X.Z. Cable Assoc, and Beater. Received Deo 31, 1.30 ».m. London,, Dec. 36. There has foeen hostile artillerying In the Havrincourt, Lens, and Ypres neighborhood. Our aeroplanes bombed three aerodromes northwards of Lille, eleven enemy aeroplanes being brought down. Three of ours are missing. NEW ZEALANBERS MENTIONED. London, Dec. 28. Gazette publishes the names of 170 New Zealanders mentioned m Sir Douglas Haig's dispatches of November 7. AVALANCHE OF SHELLS WAS POURt ED ON GERMANS, Paris, Oct. 2S. The artillery drumfire which preceded the military thrust of the French north of the Aisne to-day had turned the battlefiold into what the Germans described as "a confused mass of craters." Scores of mines sent hurtling through tlie air into the enemy position from mortars cunningly concealed in the French trenches added to the horrors of the high explosive avalanche pouring down upon the Germans. The first wave of assault,extended from west of Allemant due oust to a point east of Fort Malmaieoii, a distance of altogether about three miles. As soon as the preparatory bombardment' came to an abrupt bait, creeping barrages were hud down with marvellous | accuracy ahead of the advancing French troops, who tfcus gained tfce German [positions with astonishingly small losses. |At Fort Mahnaisoa, where the e»eg»y had established a formidable redoubt i bristling with machine guns, storming | battalions moved forward without firing a single rifle shot. Grenades were the [weapons most freely .used, chiefly for trench cleaning purposes. Aerial obserivation was handicapped by tnistv weather, but the aviators' reports show that every objective had so far been gained bv the infantry's spirited push.