WESTERN THEATRE

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 September 1917, Page 5

WESTERN THEATRE

THE BRITISH OEEENSIVE. A COMPLETE SUCCESS. GERMAN CO XCE N TI I A TJ O,\ S DISPERSED. BP ms 11 LOSSES LIGHT. LONDON, Sept. '2l. Sir Douglas Haig- reports ; -More detailed accounts of yesterday s battle confirm the completeness of the sueeess- Local at tardus in the evening- j n fbo neighbourhoods of the Lower Hamlets and norfb-east of Lang-e----marck cleared up a. number of strong- points and completed fbe capture of our objectives in those localities. We are now established., The enemy's easuaHies were unusually great- There were counter-attacks in the afternoon and evening l , but the clear light enabled us to obtain warning- of impending- attacks- Our concentrated (ire in every ease destroyed (he advancing- infantry and the obstinacy of the enemy's attacks only added to his losses, without recovering- any valuable g-roumb We again consolidated the positions during- the nig-bt, and were not furl her disturbed. Our losses are light- We scattered small a (lacks westward of I I.avrincourt and westward of Lons.

BRITISH SLUG ESSES ADMITTED.

A HEAVY PRICE RAID

LONDON, Sept

Gemini oltieial.—Nine British divisions, including several Austral inn, supnorled lay anmAired cars and flume-throwers, yesterday made an attack in close formation. The enemy penetrated a kilometre deep into our defensive zone and advanced further than Passehondacle. He gained ground northward of the Ypres-Menin road, but was thrown hack with very heavy losses elsewhere. Mis reinforcements were unable, to make, further progress in the villages in the fighting zone which remain ours-

ALL POSITIONS RETAINED

SUCCESSFUL AERIAL RAIDS

LONDON, Sept. TL J J 5() p.,n. The High Commissioner re-

ports ; Sir Douglas Haig reports: AVo retain Hie positions we captured on the idOth, despite repeated slrono’ assaults. The enemy’s aviators eventually refused comhats. In the, afternoon four tons of homhs were dropped on Iloulers Station and on aerodromes and hillels in the vicinity of Lille.

GOOD COMMUNICATIONS

DHL TO WORK OF NEW ZEALANDERS.

LONDON, So pi. 22

region north of Lille and Lille itself."

M. Tudesq recalls the assault, of July -‘list. That battle was a, stationary and terrible butchery. It lasted a week and fifty German divisions were mutilated, but Hie enemy’s powerful defensive system remained intact. The successes now claimed are (be result of new offensive methods and gigantic labour in conserving- the, roads by which many of the howitzers were b rough! up close to the enemy's trendies. PRUSSIANS COMPLIMENTARY. ‘•TUBS YEAR'S GREATEST VICTORY.” AUSTRALIANS T’U THE EURE. LONDON, Sept. Mr .Pendeal Phillips's account emphasises that the Australians were the centre, of attack- Them was much bard lighting- bid ween the Bottlers railway and the cleared Gleucorse Mood aic. Nonne Boscben (Nun’s Wood). The Austral! ans planted the Commonwealth (lag- on the Anzae. redoubt and drove nearly half wav throng’ll the Polygon Wood. Yet •Hourly all their programme was fulfilled to time-table. They went over the parapet at Add ;l .m- amid heavy shell-fire, because distress signals called all the German batteries into action. The barmige, caught some stretcher-bearers and wounded men, 'Hie British victory was even greater tlTan appeared yesterday. Six counterattacks were repulsed, with exceedingly heavy losses. There is a notable change in the Prussian prisoners’ attitude. The officers tire polile and complimentary. One said: “It was a great day for the English. You gained this year's greatest; victory— far greater than Messines. ” NEW GERMAN METHODS. PROVE UTTERLY ESELESSTERRIBLE ARTILLERY EIRE. LONDON, Sept- TL Mr Philip Gibbs says; Yesterday's attack proved that. Hie new German method of bolding the lines lightly in blockhouses with reserves behind for counter attacks has broken down. If the Germans revert to (heir old system of strong- front, lines they will suffer as (hey suffered on the Somme.

The reserve Dorman divisions which were, brought up had a dreadful lime. Their eoimter aftaeks were ]iart ieularly tierce against the 11 ighlamlors on the Zonnoheko road and on Hie Australians on the left.of the. Highhinders, who were driven hack for a while, hut the Scottish rifle fire broke every attack of the German storm troops- Six times the latter came on with much determination; six times their waves were broken- 'Finally three German battalions drove against the 1 Highlanders at Dolva harm and Hose House. The Highlanders rallied at 8 o’clock and swept Hie Germans out and away. Mr Gibbs emphasises the hmrtul hammer- — iiiflieicd by Hie British bombardment- 1 At least hi) per cent, of the German prisoners were avou tided and many ot the Germans around Rolynn AVood and Gleueorse Corpse wore luiried in shell hides between Hie blockhouses. The blockhouses themselves were smashed up or so battered that; the, Germans Averc da,zed and demoralisedPRISONERS COMING IN. STRATEGICAL POSITIONS CAPTURE!). NEW TACTICS IN OP I RATI ONLONDON, Sept. 22Reuter's Ileadqnarters’ correspondent states that a, large percentage of the prisoners captured in the latest push, are young, and are chiefly Bavarians. A messenger dog captured here a message ordering that the high ground toAvards Molenaarelshoek must he recaptured at all costs and ordering pH guns possible to direct

Reuter's headquarters’ correspondent, describing the latest British advance, says that, considering the cire.uinstaiices, the communication is good. I he credit for this is dne to the New Zealand Brigade which,_ during a, comparatively short period of preparation preceding the attack, buried over 150,000 ft of telegraph cable so deeply as to defy army shelling.' By the devotiomof the various divisions remaining m the line lon e'er than usual, it was possible to put more than a normally large proportion of fresh troops into this attackCHEAT -TOY. IN PRANCE. LILLE NOW DOMINATED. PARIS, Sept- 21. The newspapers are overjoyed at the British successes“Le Petit Parisieu” says that flic attack may ho regarded as first-elass- It is certain that the Allies have once again affirmed their superiority, despite unfavourable wen ther. M. Marcel TTulin remarks The chief interest of the battle consists in the occupation of almost the whole of the’western plateau which dominates the

their range thereon. The work of consolidating 1 the ground won i 8 strenuously progressing under the protection of a heavy barrage. '.file ground von is ul vital tactical and highly strategical importance- The day has been a great and glorious one, to (he armies in ..Flanders,Our new front was well established before noon, hut lighting is progressing beyond. It has been a day ot hard lighting, with more la come, for (he enemy is massing for a couiiler-altaek and is hurrying along the roads in omnibuses. Our gunners are ready for them all. Our troops partaking 1 in the baffle were specially trained to meet the new German tactics and succeeded to every one's satisfaction- They went over without packs or other heavy kit, the change being a great benefit, especially on the heavy ground. 'They were able to attack the ‘‘pill boxes" in a sold; of skirmishing style- The "pill boxes" have given I hem previously many a bad time, and pessimists predicted. that they*' could kill any infantry advance- Onr new tactics killed the "pill boxes" sieadAs an instance of the lightness of onr casualties, one battalion advancing 500 yards in a forest and on difficult ground had only three men wounded- In another ease a company had five casual-

As an instance of the lightness of onr casualties, one battalion advancing 500 yards in a forest and on difficult ground had only three men wounded- In another ease a company' bad five casualties.

EXE MV ATTACK 1* KPLLSET)

GERMAN CASUALTIES I IE A V V-

LONDON, Scpf. 22Sir Douglas Haig reports: Hostile counter-attacks by considerable forces continued last, evening- on the Ypres front, but without result, except a heavy increase in the enemy’s losses- A powerful, counter-attack in massed formation on a wide front, eastward of St- Julien penetrated one point for a. short distance, into our new positions, but the enemy was immediately driven out- We repulsed the enemy at all points with great, loss, and our whole line was intact at the end of two hours’ fierce fighting. The. attack was delivered with great, determination and the enemy losses were exceedingly severe. We completely repulsed a strong attack on both sides of tin; YpresMenin Road and crushed a counter attack eastward of Laiigcma rek.

OUSTIN'ATE COUNTERATTACKS-

FXK.MY LOSE VERY HEAVILY-

LONDON, Sept

Sir Douglas Haig reports : Further ('vidence shows the continuous and obstinate nature of the counter-attacks yesterday in which tln> enemy suffered exceptionally heavy losses, while not gaining any advantage. Minor fighting- occurred to-day on different parts of the front, and we advanced our line at a number of points, heating- back counter attacks. ddiis morning (he, English county troops on our right. captured a collection of trenches and strong concreted points southward of tin; Tower Hamlets. The enemy later launched a powerful counter-attack against the Tower Hamlets iicly>e, which we repulsed after heavy lighting- The, Liverpool, and Lancashire regiments eastward of St. Julien pained possession of a fortified farm find cleared up a, number of dupouts and strong - points Ironlinp- our new position- Our artillery broke a counter attack eastward of Lanp-emarck- Prisoners in yesterday's fip-htinp- hitherto retorted exceed dOOO- Dun"upfir efirst twolmurs yesterday low clouds and drizzling' rain made flying almost impossible, but our aeroplanes flew low and bombed an aerodrome near Courtrai and attacked bodies of infantry. Un the weather improving later contact; was maintained with the advancinp- troops. Our aeroplanes and balloons carried out observation of location of troops preparing' to counter-al lack and reported these to, fnc ariilleix, which dealt with the situation. During the attack the aeroplanes tired 28,000 machine-pun rounds from heights between 100 ft and 1000 ft at infantry in the trenches and shell holes and approaching' reinforcements- The German nu-n-aft in the middle of the day were active ,at/emptmp- to interfere with our artillery with bom Jinp- and low-flying mi|chines. When the weather improved in the evening they kept well to the eastward of their lines and were disinclined to light ■ ten C, ' CI, IY machines were destroyed and six driven down. , Ten of ours are missing'.

■.POSITIONS GONSObI DA'l LD

AN UNPRECEDENTED BARRAGE,

LIVELY ARTILLERY DUEL

A FRENCH REPORT

[Australian ana N.Z. Cable Association.]

Received this, day (it J 1.10 a.in. LONDON, September 22. A French communique states’ that there is lively a Gill crying in various seeloisi, with and patrol encounters.

STUBBORN no I m. NO

GERMAN ATTACKS FUTILE

TOM MI ES' RESOURCEEULN ESS

t Ausiralian and N.Z. Cable Association.)

LONDON, September 22

During the day there was heavy lighting southward of Hie YpresMeiiin road. The enemy' fought with great determination, but was un.uceessful to regain the Tower Hamlets Ridge, 'flic Durham troops to-day completely repulsed three strong eounler-altaeks northward of Tower Hamlets- Further south repealed hostile attacks: compelled our advanced troops; to fall back slight!}' from part of the ground gained yesterday morning in this area. The "Infe of the positions captured on Thursday are securely in our possession. On the battle front there were no further countey-at tacks.

There was great reciprocal artillery nig all along the front. Onr lire prevented an ai templed raid in the neighborhood of the Arras-Cambrai road. AVe successfully raided eastward of Monehv le Bronx. Them was great aerial, activity yesterday, onr aeroplanes; ranging' the guns) oh Hie hostile batleries troops, trenches and shell holes: Low-flying machines harassed the enemy's infantry and transports. Masses of bombs were diopped on Routers. Menin and elsewhere. Eighteen enemy 'planes were brought down. Twelve of oniV: are missing.

Renter's headquarters errespendeut stairs;: As an ins I a noo of the resourcefulness of the Tommies, a party of bombers readied a parapet. The (lermaiisi were crouching in the the [reach. Owing to the dose quarters, the grenades would have been equally dangerous: to both sides. The Tammies pelted the Jfoseh.es with water-filled bullies. Scenting a- new source of fright fulness;, the Hermans speedily “Kameradod.” Describing the German counterattacks-, he says, that fresh troops from the reserves were utilised and attacked with great determination. They actually penetrated od a. front<T -‘SOO yards,. Fierce, hand-to-hand fighting ensued. The ground was saon filled with (heir corpses. Five other similar attacks nf a formidable nature were alj repulsed with great losses. Our casualties.’ were light. GERMANS BADLY MAG LED. GROWN PRINCE HARD HIT. (“The Times" Cable.) Received this l day at 8.-15 a-in. LARIS, September “Jit. be Petit I’arisiemie says: The German columns in the Langemarek regioii were brought up live times to the assault, on the lost ground, but cell time (lie hellish, lire smashed (he, attack and decimated the battalions. One prisoner declared that of hisi company of 200, only four were not killed on the spot,. A high naval authority states (hatch ips are being titled with microphones, s’o perfect as to detect a, submarine at a. distance- and the direction if, is proceedingM. Marcel Hut in says; Thursday's! battle cost, the Crown Prince 22,000 dead and wounded, and the previous; bombardment 10,000. THE AUSTRALIANS. IN SPLENDID FIGHTING TRIM. [Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.; Received this day at 8.15 aim. LONDON, September 2.'!. Mr. GHmour, special eorrespondent at (lie front for the Australian and New Zealand Press,, A social kin,, pays a tribute to the Australians’ iiglding. Hie Australian army was never in such splendid battle condition. They showed imjietuous dash, combined with perfect training. The features of (heir victorious.advance aro the extraordinary and intelligent restraint of the and the cohesion and strict discipline of (he men. He adds: ft cannot yet he said that our artillery is overwhelmingly predominant, and much i# left to the inlandry to accomplish, GERMAN ATTACK. RE ELLS ED BY FRENCH. lAustralian and N.Z. Cable Assoolatlon.i ■Received ibis day at 1-25 p-m. LONDON, Sept. 2dA .French comuinniqin; stales: After a, violent, bombardment the Germans re-attacked in ihe region of Maison do Champagne, but wore, 'broken before they reached onr lines. .Eleven German aeroplanes were destroyed. GERMAN TACTlCSpositions tenseey held. [Reuter's Telegram.J Received this daV at 11.10 a.m. LONDON. Sept. 22Renter's correspondent at beadquarters says; The German position i- s held so tensely that it is estimated that there arc four Germans to every yard of the frontSeveral of the best, German divisions wore so shattered as to necessitate their Avitlidrawah We

LONDON, September '<iL The United Dress correspondent sLites : Notwithstanding cyen.iiu; shell in)' ol places northward of th« Yores-lionlers railway the Britishpus - lions to-day are firmly consolidated. The Germans north-east, ot St. Julien, who were massing f>"‘. assand, dwindled under our fire and their count er-attack was not developed. More to the northward- local allairs have improved the British positions. Southward of the railway the Germans arc shelling intermittently, sometimes heavily. , , A wounded lance-corporal summed up the prevailing impression when ho said; “Let Fritz counter-attack. Mo are ready for him. By the time out new barrage rolls over him a, couple of times with machine-gun variations he will he a mighty sick man. All the troops agree that there never was such a barrage. It shattered the “pill boxes,” some being completely blown out of the ground. The gun crews inside are and the concreted and organised shell_ holes and machinegun emplacements are filled with corpses. By the, roadside we saw scores of wounded men laughing, '.-joking and drinking lea with wounded Germans.

w'un a victory, which leaves the enemy in this wide, tract of Flanders at a serious disadvantage. Captured officers, who were hitherto haughty and supercilious, now literally how to the captors. They confess defeat in what is regarded as their strongest point- They now view the future with dismay.

Mr Robinson, “The Times’’ correspondent, says: German officers abundantly confirm the importance of the success and testify to the overwhelming artillery and brilliancy of I lie. infantry advance as things incredible. They do not, attempt to disguise tli(> seriousness of the defeatMr Robinson adds: The New Zealanders’ work is particularly valuable- Besides laying thirty thousand yards of cables, they repaired all tin* roads and trenches. Describing the German methods Mr Robinson says: Instead of a single strong line, they have now based their defence, on grea t depths, crowding troops in the very narrow fronts supported by strong _ reserves further .back ready for immediate counterattacks. The whole area, is sprinkled with concrete redoubts, and massed guns 4000yds to 7500yds behind the front line. This elaborate scheme is the last blossom of the German strategists carefully worked out and framed with enormous industry, but we have broken it-

RUSSIA

JACUJnSTADT CAPTURED. , . A GERMAN REPORT. [Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.] Received this day at 11.10 p.m. NEW YORK, September 22. It is reported that the Germans have captured Jaeubstadt. RUSSIAN LINES PIERCED. A FURTHER WITHDRAWAL. [Australian and N.Z. Cable Association,] Received this dav at 11.10 p.m. LONDON, Sept. 22. Wireless Russian Oflicial —The enemy pierced eur lines and captured parts uf niir positions south-west of Admini, in the region of Jacobstadt; also positions two miles from Dvina. We retired to the right bank of the Dvina. Enemy attacks in the region oDR {;a, northward of NnncheJu and northward, of Croselle broke down. GENERAL ALEXIEEE RESIGNS. DIFFERENCES WITH KERENSKY. PETROGRAI). Sept. 2E General Alexicft' is resigning his position as Chief of Staff owing' to ;i dispute with M. Kerensky. General Aloxielf considers it essential to continue to employ many of the officers implicated in the Kornilotf revolt. RIG COUNTER REVOLUTION TO RESTORE THE TSAR. STOCKHOLM, Sept. AN A ■ big' counter-revolutionary movement lias been discovered at Tobolsk, where the Tsar is interned. The officers of the whole of the Tobolsk garrison were in confidence with the counter revolutionary leaders. who bad planned first to release tier Tsar. Already 100 arrests have been made, including' officers of high rank. It is alleged that General Kornilolf was co-operating' with the plotters. THE SUPREME COMMAND. TO RE TOTALLY REPLACEDPETROGRAD. Sept. 21M- Kerensky announces that lie is replacing' the whole of Hie Supreme Comma ml of the ArmyALKXIKEF’S SUCCESSOR. At TEAL TO THE ARMY. [Australian and N.Z. Cable Association,? Received this dav at .Via a.m. PETROGRAD.' September 23. General DinikonUiiiie succeeds General A lex i off'The GuverniiKtn.t has appealed to the army to refrain from incivility («> the officers, the majority of whom ai'e faithful to fho Republic. NAVAL ACTIVITY. OSTEND ROM RARDEI). SATIS FACTORY RESULTS ACHIEVED. t Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) Received this dav at 11.10 a-m-LONDON, Sept. 20. The Admiralty, reports: Our ships of the Relg'ian coast patrol bombarded naval works at Ostend with satisfactory results. Our air patrols brought down three aeroplanes.