WESTERN ATTACK.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 January 1918, Page 5

WESTERN ATTACK.

BRITISH BOMBING ACTIVITY. FRENCH DEFEAT ENEMY ATTACK London, Jan. 16. Sir Douglas Haig reports the usual artillery activity. Our aeroplanes last night dropped a ton of bombs on Thionville steel works midway between Luxembourg and Metz, and a further half lon on two large railway junctions in the neighborhood of Mete. Considerable anti-aircraft and searchlight barrages were encountered, but all our machines returned. A Fren'ch communique reports violent artillery actions in the Beaumont and Conrieres Wood sector, and on the right bank of the Mense. An enemy attack at Chaume Wood, on a front of '2OO metres, was broken by our artillery. A few 01 the enemy who gained a footing in an advanced element were immediately thrown out.

FLANDERS A Q'JAGMIRE. A CAPTURED GERMAN ORDER, j COMMANDERS BLAMED FOR i WASTAGE. Received Jan. 17, 11.30 p.m. London, Jan. 10. The United Press correspondent on the West front writes that the warm wind has transformed Flanders into a quagmire. i Captured documents show that troops from the east are arriving. Meanwhile the enemy is conserving his ammunition and other material wherever possible. An order to Prince Rupprecht's army group blames commanders for wastage in the recent fighting, and declares that some field gun batteries fired 3450 rounds in one day, whilst light field howitzers fired 3100, and heavy field howitzers 1600. This, the order says, is overmuch, rendering accurate shooting impossible, and wearing out the guns; hence an unusual percentage are out of commission. The order demands the most careful conservation of material throughout, AN ENEMY RAID. Received Jan. 17, 11.50 p.m. London, Jan. 17. Sir Douglas Haig reports: The enemy raided a post north-west of St. Quentin.