West Front Active.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 4459, 29 January 1917, Page 5

West Front Active.

Big Clash Coming.

Both Sides Preparing,

Increased Raids and Gaunter

Raids.

Clear Frosty Weather Experienced.

(United Press Association —Copyright.)

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Received Jan. 2S, 0.0 p.m.) PARIS, Jan. 28. Renewed activity on both sides on the West front in clear, frosty weather, seems to indicate a fresh stage toward the big offensive. The French sector is becoming as lively as the British. it is natural to expect raidings with increased vigor, and already great aerial activity has intensified tne bombardments. The offensive may not come immediately, but everything should be ready in a month or two.

HEAVY FIGHTING ON FRENCH FRONT. ATTACKS AT FOUR POINTS. FRENCH REGAIN LOST GROUND. SUCCESSFUL BRITISH RAIDS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Received Jan. 28. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 28. A French communique says :—The Germans last evening attacked at four points from Avoeourt Wood to east of Mort Homme. Our fire drove them hack, only some enemy parties succeeded in penetrating our advanced trenches hi the sector of Hill 30-L The enemy suffered very heavy losses. Seven enemy aeroplanes were brought down, and our air squadrons bombed several railway stations and also hutments and military establishments, and caused a great lire in the railway station at Brieullh.

Fresh reports show that the enemy’s attack on the left of the Meuse yesterday was particularly violent. Several German regiments participated, and there was liand-to-hand fighting at some points. We attacked this morning, and retook in the region of Hill 304 the greater portion of the elements within which the enemy penetrated.

There is a fairlv lively artillery struggle on the right of the Meuse in the region of Bezonvaux and Louvoy, and in the Woevre in the sectors of Regnivelle and Yeho. Sir Douglas Haig reports: We carried out raids eastward of Loos and north-eastward of Vermelles, making prisoners. A number of dug-outs were destroyed, and the enemy suffered jmany casualties. We bombarded the enemy’s positions northward of the Somme with (rood results. Our aeroplanes successfully bombed a number of places behind the enemy’s lines, and five German machines were destroyed and five driven down damaged. One of ours is missing.

BRITISH VERY ACTIVE.

BRILLIANT OPERATIONS CARRIED OUT.

SUCCESS ALL ALONG THE LINE

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Reuter’s Telegrams.) (Received Jan. 28. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 28.

Sir Douglas Haig reports a sucessful operation this morning in the neighborhood of .Le Transloy, tlie whole of our objectives being attained. A commanding portion of the enemyjs position was captured. AVe took 350 prisoners. AVe drove back wit-n heavy losses vigorous counter-attacks. Our casualties were very slight. AA’e raided positions northeast of Neuville St A r aast. took prisoners, and destroyed dug-outs. AVe suffered no casualties.i Our patrols entered the enemy’s trenches and inflicted casualties northeast of Vermelles. We' bombarded positions in the neighborhood, of Serve, greatly damaging the defences and northwest ot Arras we dispersed working parties. Our fire northwards of Hulluck caught enemy infantry, inflicting many casualties.

LATEST FRENCH REPORT. (Australian ' and N.Z. Cabje Assn.) (Received Jan. 28, 11.15 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 2S. A French communique says:- We destructively bombarded German works in the sector of Hill 304 Five enemy aeroplanes were brought down, including Lieutenant Guyneiner s 30th Two of our aeroplanes bombed the railway station and military workshops at Ham, causing a fire and a big explosion.

SWISS ANXIETY.

FRONTIER RIGOROUSLY guarded.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn A (Received Jan 28 0.5 n.m.) BERNE, Jan. 28. The Swiss frontier contiguous to Germany is rigorously closed.^

FICH7 INC ON THE ANCRE.

BRITISH OFFENSIVE SPIRIT

DISCOVERING THE ENEMY’S SECRETS.

LONDON JAN. 20

French correspondents state that the two days’ battle .which was fought 4iortli of the Ancre at the end of last week was not an offensive, hut it was more than a- raid. Perhaps tlie culminating point was a series of coups de main, with which, at Ypres and on the Somme, the British demonstrated, a determined offensive spirit. Without relaxation day and night, they harassed the enemy’s lines, depriving him of repose, learning his secrets, and wearing him out. These multiplied attacks are continually made in unexpected localities, while the artillery and infantry keep up offensive warfare - along the whole front. j Monsieur Andre Tudesq, correspondent of the Petit Parisien saysthatthe Bodies north of the Ancre considered their redoubts invulnerable. The ’British' Tommies found most of the Germans undressed, and . the officers had no time, to put on their boots. The. crest of the positions was stormed for a width of 1200 yards, and four officers and-172 men were taken prisoners. ' 'X. '