THE FRENCH SUCCESS ON THE AISNE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 27, 26 October 1917, Page 5

THE FRENCH SUCCESS ON THE AISNE

8000 PRISONERS COUNTED ALLIED ATTACKS IN ELANDERS . By Telegraph—Press ABsoci&tioni-Oopyrijht London, Octob'fu: 24. A French official communique states: "The night was calm. The enemy bombarded our new lines, especially in the region of Vaudesson. V/e are organising our gains. We have taken 8000 prisoners, including 160 officers, belonging to edght different divisions. The fact is confirmed that two enemy divisions which wera placed in reserve behind the front participated in yesterday's fighting and were severely handled.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Rcuter. STORY OF THE ATTACK HOW FORT MALMAISON FELL. ' (S Paris, October 24. The Battle of the Aisne began in the darkness, an hour before dawn. \l'he central point of attack was the.' Malmaison Fort, which was defended by German Guardsmen. The Germans altogether had massed six divisions on the threatened front Malmaison Fort' was in ruins, but it proved of immense use to \bo enomr as an observatorv. Its glacis had been cleared, and the shell of the f4>rt reconstructed and furnished with mßchine-gun posts, 'connected with a labyrinth of caves and tunnels running to tho Gorman rear. Many of the German, troops were forty feet below tho surface. The whole crest attacked was honeycombed with ancient quarries. Fortunately, the French held similar cavenU on fho southern slopes of the hills, whereby they were able to lodge thenreserves until thev were needed. The French used 16-inch guns to break up th* , quarries.—Aus.-N.51. Cable Assn. J HOW THE GERMANS PUT IT. London, October 24, A German official report states: "The French, between Ailetto and the Ostel Heights, encountered! strong resistance, and did not advance owing to heavy losses. The reinforcements, which later were supported by armoured cars, broke through our positions, reaching Allemifht' ami Chavignon. We withdrew from untenable positions, blowing up the advanced batteries simultaneously. BepeaEiS assault's southward of Eilain, and' also between Braye and Ailles, failed." -Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Rcuter. x (Ecc. Octobcr 25, 9 p.m.) London, October 24. A German official report states: "The French did not continue their attack' on the Chemin-des-Dames."--Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Rcuter. GOOD WORK OF THE NEW FRENCH "TANKS" ' (Rec. October 2a, 8.20 p.m.) London, October 24. The "Daily Chronicle's" correspondent at tho French Headquarters 6tates thai; the French "tanks" did good work in the last battle. Their meohanism is like the British, but the machines are 6mallcr, possessing greater manoeuvring power than our early models. They carry a field gun and several machineguns. The "tnnks" captured the ruined farmsteads which were holding up the attack. The French artillery smashed the caves and tunnels on tho two plateaux. In one sector 400 Germans were trapped in n quarry.- They refused to emerge, believing that the French would massacre the prisoners, until assuiv ances had been given io the contrary.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ENEMY'S TOTAL CASUALTIES ABOUT 26,000 NO HOPE OF REGAINING THE INITIATIVE. (Rec. October 25, 7.15 p.m.) • Paris, October 24. The "Matin" states that the German losses in the Aisne fighting will reach about 26,000. This victory means that tho enemy, who has been on the defensive since February of 1916, is still unable to take the initiative anywhere, and will be forced to make a strategic retreat in order to avoid disaster.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. * . . STRATEGIC VALUE OF THE BATTLES OF THE AISNE (Rec. October 25, D p.m.) London, October 25. Router's correspondent at French Headquarters says: "The strategic intention of {he Sigh Command in tho Aisne'battles is finally and completely to thrust I tho enemy off the crest line. We now hold practically the entire line of the 1 crest between Craouno and Vauxaillon, In addition, we have' got a commanding ! view of the Tilotle Valley from end to end, and also a view up the Ardon I Valley, at the head of which stands Laon, and a view northward across the ; plain over tho enemy's communication to Anizy, in the "Upper Coucy Forest." | —Renter. I . ~ ON THE FLANDERS FRONT COMBINED ATTACKS BY THE ALLIES. Tho High Commissioner reports:— London, October 22, 1.30 p.m. SJr Douglas Haig reports: "Early this morning we carried out local attacks on both sides of tho Yprcs-Staden railway, the French co-operaling on our left. Satisfactory progress was made." UNAVAILING COUNTER-ATTACKS. | By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright ! , London, Octobcr 24. Sir Douglas Haig reports: Jno enemy last evening again attacked our positions in the Ilouttiulst Wood against the junction of tho English and French armies. Wo completely repulsed it. Sinca Monday the enemy has delivered seven counter-attacks, but without achieving material results at any point. The Gloucester made a successlul raid south-east of Gavrclle."—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. (Rec. Octobcr 25, 9 p.m.) . London, October 21. Sir Douglas Ilaig reports: "There is mutual heavy artillery activity alon;.' tho Houthulst Forest positions. Our battery work was destructive at' varioupolnts. Trio weather is wet and stormy. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.