WESTERN FRONT.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 February 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

THE IMPENDING BATTLE. AFFECTED BY GERMAN ADVAXCS. IN RUSSIA. A PRESS FORECAST. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc, anil Reuter Received Feb. 24, 5.5 p.in. London, Feb. 23. The Manchester Guardian contends [that Ihe German advance on Russia must modify the oll'ensive on the \\ e.«tern front, as it will absorb a large army with long lines of communication exposed to guerilla, warfare. An attack on sio Western front, is still probable, but unless the Germans gain a remarkable initial success, they will not attempt a formal 'break through or keep up the . attack month after month. The attacks will be local and brief. ' BELGIAN POSITION BOM- ' BARDED ENEMY FAILS TO REACH 1INE& ■!; Received Feb. 24, 5.5 p.m. '.■ London, Feb'. 23. t A Belgian communique states: After , violent bombardment, enemy detachments attacked our advanced posts in tin region of Kleostermohn, but the enefclj i failed to reach our lines. ARTILLERY ACTIVITY. ;■ SUCCESSFUL BOMBING RAIDS. . A and N.Z. Cable Assn. and Reuter, Received February 23, 5.5 p.m. London, Feb. 2S. Sir Douglas Haig reports: Hostile artillery is active in the neighborhood ol the Arras-Cambrai road, La Bassee anc Ypres. Aeroplanes yesterday dropped toelM ,j on billets and rail sidings at Courtra). Ledeghem and Douai. We brought dovns .y . nine hostile machines. Three of ouri are missing. We dropped (578 bombs last night, ;iOO being on an aerodrome, south" east of Lecateau, used by the enemy'* night livers, nineteen direct hits being OS- ' ; .served. The remainder were dropped on aerodromes at Ghent and Tournai. Scottish troops made a successful raid at Monchy lc Preuxi. Hostile artillerying continues. _ THE FRENCH FRONT. j, GREAT ARTILLERY ACTIVITY. {■■ \ London, Feb. 22. • A great artillery battle has begun <oq ■ the entire French frontA French communique reports: There '» is fairly lively artillery activity oa the jf ' whole front, especially in the regions, of Pinon, Vauxaillon, MaJmaison, Pontic ;j vert, Gudecourt, and Butte du Mesuul. ' ,'. Three German aeroplanes '_■' down and two forced down into theuj 'i own Hues seriously damaged-' j THE BRITISH FRONT. j * I RAIDERS REPULSED. • ' | London, Fe±. 24 * i Sir Douglas Haig reports: WeTepnlset ■<j raiders southward of Armentierea, "4 Patrols elsewhere brought in a number ••$ Of prisoners. % The enemy artillery is active.in till S neighborhood of St. QVntin, tho Arras- .f Cambrai road, Lens, Armentieres, and ') Ypres. i A break in tho weather has prevented jj flying, except for artillery observation, "i _. 1_ 'Js THE NEW BRITISH SECTOR- | London, Feb- 22. ,1 The southern extremity of tho British js front is now opposite La Fptc, an ex- 'i tension of nearly twelve miles, which § includes the whole of the St. Quentin ■ 3 salient. It economises French" man -a power, liberating considerable forces for jj service elsewhere. The new sector has .'j! hitherto been a quiet part of the.front. '-' H No Man's Land in some places is a thou- -3 sand yards wide. !•< —————