YPRES RIDGE.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 16053, 8 November 1917, Page 6

YPRES RIDGE.

GREAT CANADIAN ATTACK.

ITALIAN WITHDRAWAL CONTINUES.

REIGN OP TERROR IN RUSSIA

4th YEAR—IOOth DAY.

THE WESTERN THEATRE.

ANOTHER BRITISH

ATTACK

GOOD PROGRESS EAST OF

YPRES

(By Cable—Press Association.— Copyright.) (Australian and IC.Z. Cable Association.) (Reuter's Telegrams.) LONDON, November 6. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "Wo attacked at 6 o'clock tins morning against positions in tho neignbotirhood of Passchendaole. It is reported that satisfactory progress is being made. . , "The Lincolnshiros last night carried out a raid in the neighbourhood of Hulluch."

ATTACK MADE BY CANADIANS

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, November C. Tlic Canadians attacked at A'asscliendaole. Tiiey wero seen entonng JYlosselmarkt, and other beyond Uoudberg. There was heavy fighting at. PoldcrkocK Chateau. Tne German*; heavily sliellod tho attackers for ( J0 minutes, and then the bombardment ceased. The Canadians simultaneously attacked Passchendaele i*long tho ridge, and stormed up tho remaining slopes of tho Zetcheele Spur, north-west of Passchendaele. Tho British are ongagod in heavy lighting at tho Polderhoek Chateau four miles to tho southward.

The Canadians followed two minutes behind the barrage. Tho going was fairly good, having reached the sandy soil of tho summit. Now that the situation lias been removed, it is permissible to disclose that the Canadian flank, after the previous attack, would have been entirely in the air, but that ten mep at one point, and twenty at another, held on for 48 hours until rcmforced. This was one of the finest performances of tho cnjnnaien, securing tho left flank, and enabling a successful eoTitinuanco of the Passchendaele operation.

TERRTFTC PTHrT,TMTNARY BOMBARDMENT.

(Router's Telegrams.) LONDON, November 6. Router's correspondent at Headquarters reports: — "The eighth battle of the Flanders autumn campaign Logan at 6 o'clock this morning. The fighting was of tho greatest intensity in the neighbourhood of Passchendaelo and about the YprcsMenin road. "Tho weather "was dry till well after tho sun had ri6en, but then an intermittent drizzle caused poor visibility. "Tho preliminary bombardment was shorter than usual. but of terrific intensity. our {runs soarching tho zone west of Moorslado, where there were iarce enemy concentrations. "A map captured by the Anzacs showed an ambitions scheme for tho recapture of Crest Farm and territory ennsiderpiilv beyond. This information enabled us to beat off the attack. "Wc arc worlnnf our T'ny well along +be dominant, <iOiidli«rsr Rirlco. between Passcliendaelo and Wcstroosebeke." PASSCHENDAELE LOST TO THE ENEMY. (Auetraliaa and X.Z. Cablo Association.) (Received November Bth, 1.10 a.m.) LONDON, November 7. Mr Philip Gibbs writes:— "With thankfulness wo can rocord to-day what we believe will prove tho capture of the Passchendaele Crest, tho crown of tho ridge which mado a great barrier around the Ypres salient, hemming us in on tho flats and swamps. "The Canadians, after heroically attacking this morning, fought thoir way through the ruins of Passchendaelo into the ground beyond. If their gains can be held it will set the seal to the most terrific achievement of war ever attempted or carried through by British arms. Only we who are out here can know tho valour and the sacrifices which carried the waves of our men up the slopes in tho battics of this campaign, commencing with Messines and culminating with Passchendaelo —only wo can understand the meaning of today's battle and thrill because it means victory. "Over this ground the young manhood of Germany spent itself. They fought desperately, and came on again in massed counter-attacks, but were swept to pieces by our fire. Passchendaelo must be held at all costs, and if lost, must be regained at all costs. It seems likely that the enemy has definitely lost Passchendaele. ' Tho Canadians had mo;o luck than tho English. Australians, or New Zealanders, who had fought up the slope in an heroic endeavour to capture the crcs>t. Nobody begrudges the Canadians tho honour they have gained— not easily, but at tho usual price of victory, at some men's death and many men's pain." HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. The High Commissioner reports: — LONDON, November 0 (2.45 p.m.). A British official report states: — "This morning tho Canadians v.-ere completely successful against the defences in and around Passchacndaele and the spur north of the village. '"There was fighting at a number of points, but we steadily progressed and capt&red cariy the villages of Passchendaele, M*o6£elmarkt, and Goudberjj,"

THE GERMAN VERSION

(Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association,) (Renter's Telegrams.) (Received November 7th, IT p.m.) LONDON. November 6. A German official report states:— "Attacks by the English led to fight- ] ing all day around Passchondaele. The j enemy's assault on Gheluvelt broke down with heavy losses." YPRES SITUATION VASTLY IMPROVED. (Australian and K.VS. Cable Association^ ! (Received November 7th, 7.45 p.m.) j LONDON, November 6. Tho United Press correspondent Bays that to-day's fighting has vastly improved the whole situation around Ypres. Now Roulers will bo under con. stant British fire. THE AMERICANS' FIRST CASUALTIES. (Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association.) NEW YORK, November 6. The United Press correspondent at American Headquarters states v that thero were most impressive sccne6 at tho burial of tho first Americans killed. Tho Americans fought with clubbed rifles, bayonets, knives, entrenching spades, and oven their hands, but were overwhelmingly outnumbered. Tho whole force is now most anxious and impatient to attack.