WESTERN FRONT.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 February 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

SUCCESSFUL RAIDS. ON WIDE FRONT. London, Feb. 19. Sir Douglas Haig reports r We made successful raidsj in three sectors on our front. Irish troops entered the trenches fouth-eastward of Epehy and brought back prisoners. The Canadians made a successful raid and captured five prisoners southward of Lens. ' The Lancashires, Border Regiment, and Yorkshire troops raided positions on a wide front in the southern portion of Houthoiilst Forest, killing a large number and capturing 27 prisoners and a machine-gun. Our casualties were slight. NAVAL AIRCRAFT ACTIVE. • ZEEBRUGGE BOMBED. London, Feb. 19. The-Admiralty reports: Our aircraft during Sunday night dropped several tons of explosives on the Zeebrugge mole and docks and the Bruges docks. Bombs were observed to fall alongside a submarine shelter and in the vicinity of the lock-gates and quays. Our aircraft on Monday forenoon attacked the aerodrome at VarssenaereSeveral hits were secured on the hangers and sheds. Three enemy aircraft were destroyed in patrol encounters; all ours returnedTHE COMING OFFENSIVE. GERMANS' DESPAIRING EFFORTS. "OUR MEN WILL NOT FAIL," London, Feb- 19. Mr- Philip Gibbs says that any moment we see the beginning of the enemy's last desperate effort to end the war by a decisive victory. Undoubtedly the offensive, which has been .long preparing, is now imminent; detailed information from prisoners leaves no doubt abiufc that, and our aviators for some time past have reported terrific industry and nervous tension behind the German lines. All leave for German officers and men has been stopped. ' The Germans are drugged and under the spell of a frightful secret hope Germany to-day is a nation with bloodshot eyes and the high temperature of fever, buoyed up to a last resistance against the despair which is eating into their heart. Our .men will not fall, whatever the cost. FRENCH WAR CREDITS. Paris, Feb. 19. After an all-day discussion, the Socialist National Council voted by 1548 to 415 that the Chamber's war credits be continued. ARTILLERY ACTIVITY ON FRENCH FRONT. London, Feb. 19, A French communique reports violent artilery activity during the night in the region south of the Forest of St. Gobain, in the sector of Chavignon, and northwest of Bezonvaux..