WESTERN FRONT.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 February 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

A STUPENDOUS CLASH. Forces preparing for the fray. Received Feb. G, 11.45 p.m. London, Feb. R. Renter's headquarters correspondent states that enemy reinforcements continue to arrive in the West, but the Allies' forces in the West also continue (o increase in an ever flowing current. The dash when it does come will be the most stupendous thing in point of numbers ever known. ENEMY'S BIG EFFORT. CONCENTRATION OF TROOPS COMPLETE. AMIES READY WITH STRONGEST COUNTER MEASURES. Received Feb- 7, 1.10 am. London, Feb. fi. Military experts in France and England opine that Germany's big effort is imminent. General Ludendorff's concentration of troops from Russia is now completed. The experts are fully confident that the Allies will not only repulse attacks, but are ready with the strongest counter measures. British and French officers are in the highest spirit at the prospect of coming to the end of the winter slackness. REAL AIR BATTLES. FRENCH RENDER A GOOD ACCOUNT. Received Feb. 6, 1140 p.m. London, Feb. 5. A French communique states: Taking advantage of fine weather, our | chaser planes successfully participated in real air battles. They fought against German squadrons well over the Cerman lines. Eight enemy machines were brought down, whilst five others fell seriously hit, and probably were destroyed. NEW ZEALAND SECTOR. A QUIET PERIOD. (From Captain Malcolm Ross, Official War Correspondent with the New Zealand Forces.) February 1. Our sector remains quiet, and there is little to report. "Snipers claim two hits," which frequently appears in the. ilnily report, indicates the normal state of infantry activity in the front line. There is, in addition, the usual patipl work, and machine-gun and trenchaiortfir Are. Field and heavy artillery fire remains normal- M, In sectors the enemy has beeiP'showing a disposition to fraternise, but gains little encouragement. Two Germans who walked along their palrapet unarmed were fired upon, and one was hit. A dog made its way into our lines with a German message tied round its neck—- ' Best wishes from your companions in misfortune. What is the position as regards peace?" The company strength of tho enemy opposite our sector is said to be weak, but we hear reports of new* divisions roming westward from the . Russian I front, as well as artillery. The aeroplanes are less active than formerly, and there is little bombing in our back area. Clear, frosty weather has been followed by a thick ground fog. Men are employed preparing ground for the cultivation of vegetables on a large Ecale. The vegetables produced will be purchased by the army, the proceeds been devoted to paying the costs of plants and seeds, and to build up a credit-in the Army Agricultural Fund. Liberal leave to the United Kingdom, Paris, and southern France is being granted. The Military Medal has been awarded to Lance-Corporal W- G. Bowers, Scrgt. VV. B. Bowles, W. E. Hallam, of the Rifles, and Corporal F. C- Gleeson, of tho Engineers. AMERICAN TROOPS OPERATING. New York, Feb. ,5. An announcement is permitted that the American troops on the French front are operating north-west of Toul near St. Mihiel. ZEEBRUGGE BOMBED. London, Feb. 5. Allied airmen bombed Zeebrtigge on Sunday, also for three hours on Monday morning. Many air fights occurred. The bombs caused three important fires in German munition stores at Bruges harbor.