BAD WEATHER ON THE WESTERN FRONT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3162, 14 August 1917, Page 5

BAD WEATHER ON THE WESTERN FRONT

FIGHT FOR A MINE CRATER FRENCH SUCCESS AT ST. QUENTIN London, August 12. Sir Douglas Haig reports: 'The- weather is wet. Strong fighting took place tor possession of a mino crater eastward of Giyenchy-lez-La Bassee, and we established ourselves in tho crater. The enemy artillery is active and north of Ypres."— Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Reuter. (Rec. August 13, 10. p.m.) London, August 13. Sir Douglas Haijr reports: "Wo captured six guns duriuc Fridays attack. Tho Portuguese repulsed a raid southward of Arnientieres. Wo brought down eight aeroplanes. JFivo of ours aro raissiug."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-lieuter. DEADLY STRUGGLE AT WESTHOEK GERMAN LOSSES VERY HEAVY. (liec. August 13, 11.5 p.m.) London, August 13. Mr. Beach Thomas writes: "Friday's fighting on tho ridge east of Westhoek was, eomo of it, the deadliest of the year. Tho enemy counter-attacked seven times on a mile of frontage, and the German losses were a*'great as ever they have been sinco tho days of the murderous massed attack."—'United Service. ON THE FRENCH FRONT LOST TRENCHES RECOVERED AT ST. QUENTIN. London, August 12. A French official communique states: "Wo completely recovered the elements of tho trenches captured by the Germans on August 9 east of Pnyet (north of St. Quentin). Two enemy attacks south of Allies were repulsed, ami we held all onr positions, and made fresh progress in the night. As n reprisal for tho enemy's bombardment in the Nancy region, faro French aeroplanes bombed Frankfurt-on-lfain."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. (flee. August 13, 10. p.m.) London, August 13. A French communique states: "There is violent artillery activity in Belgium, at Hurtebise, and on both banks of the Iteuse. The Germans again cannonaded Beiins. Our air equadrons were active, and bombed the enemy's railway stations and other points. Fires and explosions followed."—Aiu.-N.K. Cable Assn.-Keiiter.

NEW ZEALANDERS AT LA BASSE VILLE WELLINGTON JIEN IN HOT FIGHTING. (Special Dispatch from the Offioi.il War Correspondent. Captain Ross.) August 9. The troops that distinguished themselve3 in the recent fighting at f,a Basse Ville and vicinity were from Wellington and Auckland. They fought with great gallantry. Several officers and senior n.c.o.'s became casualties very early in the, Wellington, unit. At one stage four platoons were commanded by corporals. A captain distinguished himself. He led his company with conspicuous gallantry in a successful raid, and also showed great bravery and initiative in repelling n Gorman raid. One unit accomplished the difficult operation of clearing the hedgerows of the enemy and establishing advanced posts. A section of one platoon was stopped by heavy machine-gun five, and met with casualties. Being forced to withdraw to shell-holes, but subsequently, aided by the Wellington men, they riis'hed the position and captured two machineguns. The lieutenant was wounded, but remained till the poet was practically made Becnve. Hβ then, made bis way to the dressing-station, but first reported to battalion headquarters. The sergeant then assumed command of the platoon and carried on in. spite of an injury from a shell explosion.- Another party met a strong riilo'fire, and was almost wiped out, the lieutenant being wounded. A third party was reduced to three, its corporal in command being lulled. A private took command of the remains of these parties. Ho and another private fired rapidly at tho attacking Germans, killing several, whereupon the remaining twenty-four Germane surrendered. One machine-gun, one minnenwerfer, bombs, and a truck-load of ammunition' wero captured and the post established in an excellent position. In the operations large numbers nf tho enemy were killed, and forty-live wero taken prisoner. The morale of the prisoners was good. They were of fine physique, and had little complaint to make about their food. They certainly fought well. Nevertheless, there is evidence that the German Command now know they are beaten. Several of their regiments are at low strength. The men complain of the inaccurate shooting of their guns, and there is an indication of a shortage of aeroplanes.

Steel Body Armour. Hardened eteel body armour, weighing nearly twenty-three pounds, is being used in the front liue. The fighting on our sector is now again a matter of artillery and patrols. The latter often meet and fire on each other in the moonlight. 'Tho other night one of our patrols oame upon an enemy machine-Rim crow in a shell-hole. They bayoneted 'me and fired at the others as they fled, but owing to the heavy enemy firo were unable to bring the machine-gun back. The enemy has apparently been ordered not to show himself by day, and remains for the most part in his "canonflaged"' shell-holes. Captured prisoners state that their famous aviator, Bichthofen, received two bullet wounds in the head in a fiombat with a British airman over the German lines, but landed 6afely in a meadow and was taken, to hospital. The following Auckland men have received awards for gallantry in the I<a Bas=o Villo fighting:— Bar to Military Medal:—Private Chnrles Quinn. Military Medal:—Corporal Henry Malcolm, Sergeant Victor William Inch, Private Itobert Richard Smith. Other recent awards are:—

Military Cross:—Captain W. E. M'Loan. Distinguished Conduct Medal: Sc-rgeant C. N. Devery and Private Vestey— all of a Wellington unit. BRITISH AIRMEN'S WORK IN JULY 2.12 OF THE ENEMY'S MACHINES.PUT OUT OF ACTION. (Rec. August 13, 11.5 p.m.) London, August 13. .■Renter's correspondent at Headquarters states: "During the month of July cur airmon smashed 122 of the enemy e machines, and drove down, out of control, another 120."—Reuter.