IN THE WEST

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 79, 27 December 1917, Page 5

IN THE WEST

VIGOROUS BOMBING AND AIR FIGHTING SEVEN ENEMY MACHINES BROUGHT DOWN v London, December 25. Sir Douglas Haig reported on December 24: "Wo drove off raiders south-east of Ypres. The hostile artillery is active at Epehy and south of Poelcapelle. There is .vigorous bombing and air fighting in progress in spite of tho haze. The enemy artillery and aeroplanes are active. Wo brought down seven of the - latter, including one .large twinengined machine. Our night fliers bombed several aerodromes with good effect. Our squadrons, in tho daylight, dropped a ton of bombs at Mannheim. Bursts were observed in the main station and works, and fires were seen in the town. Enemy scouts repeatedly, but unsuccessfully, attacked." Sir Douglas Hoig reported on December 25: "We took a few prisoners in patrol encounters south of Cambrai. There is mutual artillery firing west of La Bassee and east of Ypres." 'The Admiralty reports: "On the night of December 23, aircraft heavily bombed the Bruges docks and the St. Denis-Westrem and, Ghistelles aero-dromes."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S MESSAGE TO THE TROOPS MUST STEEL THEMSELVES FOR FURTHER EFFORT. (Rec. December 26, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 25. Sir Douglas Haig, iu a special order to the armies, states: "In France our victories and successes have been very considerable, and might well have ledi to an early and complete victory, but for the Russian collapse. It behoves us to harden our hearts and steel ourselves for further efforts. I have every confidence, that the samo courage and determination exhibited in the past will bo forthcoming to meet further demands for tho safety of our hearths and homes during the coming year."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. FRENCH~REPORT (Rec. December 26, 5.5 p.m.) , London, December 25. A French conimunique states: "Two German aeroplanes were brought down. Enemy aeroplanes bombed Dunkirk. There 'were several victims."—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.