THE WESTERN THEATRE.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15731, 26 October 1916, Page 7

THE WESTERN THEATRE.

A FRENCH SUCCESS

ADVANCE AT VERDUN,

3500 PRISONERS TAKEN"

The High Commissioner reports: — LONDON, October 25 (12.5 a.m.). A French official message says:— "On tho Verdun front, after an intense artillery preparation, an attack on tho right of the Mouse was launched at noon on a front of seven kilometres. "Tho enemy lino was burst in everywhere to a depth in the contre reaching three kilometres. "Tho village and fort of Douaumont were captured. "On the left wing wo, passing by the Thiaumont Farm, captured the Haudromont Quarries, which we are consolidating along the road from Bras to Douaumont. "On the right of Douaumont l?Y)rt our line passed north of Caillette Wood, along the boundary west of the VauxFumin Wood, and continued north, of Chenois Wood and tho Damloup battery. "The prisoners taken number 3500, including 100 officers already counted. "Our losses were slight. "The material seized has not yet been counted."

"WITH THE BRITISH. HEAVY ARTILLERY FIRE. (By Cable. —Press Association. —Cop^ight.) (Australian and -N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received October 2.5 th, 8.50 p.m.) I/ONDON, Octobor 24. Sir Douglas Haig reports:— "There was heavy mutual shelling on Tuesday, southwards of Armontieres. "A strong enemy party raided our trenches eastward of Loos, apparently for tho purpose of destroying mine shafts. They were immediately ejected." / GAINS CONSOLIDATED. LONDON, October 24. Sir Douglas Haig reports:— "During the night, we secured yesterday's gains at Gueudecourt and LestXßUfs. . "Concerning the enemy s claim that we lost heavily in making Saturday's gains, it is noteworthy that we took 1000 prisoners, and suffered only 1200 casualties." ACTIVE PRELIMINARIES. LONDON, October 24. A French communique states: — "There was lively artillery fire and aviation work on tho West front." THE GERMAN REPORT. LONDON. October 21. A Gorman communique states: — "French and British attempts to break through were sanguinarily defeated north of the Somnie, the dead lying in heaps west of le Transloy. "Tho French advanco in tho Ablain-court-Chaulnes sector was stooped. "Wo also stopped a French advanco near Verdun." A COMING COUNTER. KAISER AT BATAUME. (Received October 25th, 9 p.m.) PARIS, October 24. The "Libertc" states that it is reported that the Kaiser is at Bapaumo supervising preparations for a great counter-offensive, for which German reinforcements of men and artillery have arrived. i