WESTERN FRONT.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 October 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

' AMERICA'S GREAT GUN. SHELLING GERMANS' MAIN RAILWAY. A DESPERATE EFFORT TO SAVE METZ. Received Oct. 30. 7.40 p.m. . London, Oct. 20. An American (headquarters report states: Long range guns of big calibre, which are more formidable, than the ''Big Bertha" which bombarded Paris, have, begun shelling in the direction of Longuyon and the Montmedy-Sedan-Mezieres railway, which is a vital communication upon which tlhe enemy depends for the quick transport of troops and supplies from one poition of the front to another. Observers report that the Germans have abandoned Olery-le-Grand. Atready a great seat ion of Lorraine and part of Alsace have been'formed into a huge entrenched camp by the' Gel-mans in a desperate effort to defend 'Metz and the pivot of the line northwards.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. LILLE'S LIBERATION. A HISTORICAL PAGEANT. FORMAL ENTRY OF THE BRITISH. Received Oct. 30, 7.40 p.m. London, Oct. 29. Mr. Pereival Phillips writes: Lille was made glad to-day, when there took' place the pageant which the populace eagerly awaited since the liberation. The British troops made their formal triumphant entry. The bands played "The Marseillaise" and Britislli tunes. As they marched through the crowded streets they were acclaimed with cheers and tears. For the first time in this war we saw infantry dressed and polished for fete, carrying flowers and little tricolors. General Birdwood led the historic procession with a glittering staff to the La Dessee column, wlhere the Mayor and many dignitaries awaited. General Birdwood dismounted and advanced with the red and black headquarters flag, and asked the Mayor to accept the flag in the name of Lille. He expressed admiration for the courage and devotion of its people. Another flag, inscribed from the people of Lille to her liberators, was handed to General Birdwood. Thereafter the troops and guns marched past, and the people feasted tlheir eyes on the seemingly endless procession.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc, AERIAL ACTIVITY. Received Oct. 30, 9 p.m. London, Oct. 29. Sir Douglas Haig reports: There has been increased aerial aotivity. We destroyed 32 machines and drove down 10 uncontrollable. Eight British are missing:—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reutor. FRENCH ARTILLERY. The war l>a3 produced a remarkable development in artillery construction, and the .(Ulios have turned out guns as laTge as the biggest German production, and have even siapassed it, thought it is only recently that the world has beett told something a/bout the achievements of Allied rtillerists. The French Ministry of War recently issued a series of films, intended for propaganda work ,m foreign countries, showing the Creueot 520mui. (20.4 in) gun which was built to demolish the massive German field ffrtifications. This gun is larger in th& bore by 3in than the famous Krupj» "Fat Bertha," as the 17in howitzer was styled, and its sliell is of enormous weight. Tlie 20.4 in monster possesses a high degree of mobility, and has undoubtedly caused terrible damage to the enemy- One of its earliest feats'was the destruction of Fort Malmaison, northeast of Soissons, winch the Germans had spent months in fortifying. When finished it was considered to be proof against prolonged bombardment by the heaviest guns. One day. however, the 20.4 in Creusot was brought into position, and fired a single shot, which landed squarely on Malmaison. Eyewitnessses declare that the burst was like Vesuvius in eruption. . Wlien the smoke cleared away, it was seen ;hat the fort had been absolutely wjped out, together with the garrison. Our French allies have, in fact, built not only the largest, but apparently the most effective, piece of artillery in existence.