LAST NIGHT'S NEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVII, Issue 9128, 25 October 1917, Page 6

LAST NIGHT'S NEWS.

THE WESTERN

THEATRE

THE ALLIED THRUST.

ALL COUNTER-ATTACKS FAIL

LONDON, Oct. 24

Sir Douglas Haig reports:—Besides tlie attack reported in this morning's communique, the enemy delivered two other counter-attacks last evening. In oue cast* ho attempted to advance along the line ol the WestroosbekePocleapeile Road, but wheA 200 yards from our new positions he was engaged by our infantry with rifle- and machine-guv fire ,and was beaten off with loss. Ihe survivor^ endeavouring to withdraw, were oaught in our artillery barrage, and agftitt Suffered iiieHvily. The aocond" attack was made in

<-onsiderablo .strengih immediately northward of the Vpio-s-Stadeu railway. Here also the attackers met with rifle and machine-gun hre and «ere driven ■oil. fOarly in the morning another attack on our positions at Houthulst Forest and north-east of Veldhoek was completely repulsed, the enemy leaving tuisoners in our hands. A less powerful attompt against the iortified farm which we captured yesterday bouth-eaat of Poelcapelle was equally unsuccessful. Reciprocal artxlieJ y fire has been active to-day. Hying yesterday was almost prevented by the i weather until the after--scioon,\wiien our aeroplanes, despite the i«in and bad risibility, co-operated, .with the infantry's attack,' continuously reporting progress and assisting with machine-guns,. The enemy has dropped jiiany bombs during the last few nights on our forward areas. His machines, last night were not nearly, so active).' except in the neighbourhood of Dun- . kirk. Ours vigorously attacked seven aerodromes, where bombs fell near hanjf&rs and aeroplanes on the ground. The railway station at Courtrai was later attacked iwid a train hit. The V«ar portion burst into flames. There machines were brought down, two of' ■ -tiiirs'cdliided owi- the' enemy's tines, .: stmi. one- other 'is missing.