THE WEST FRONT

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 5001, 16 October 1918, Page 5

THE WEST FRONT

FLANDERS “PUSH” ALLIES ATTACK ON 28MILE. FRONT. KOULERS CAPTURED AND 3000 PRISONERS TAKEN. BRITISH MONITOR SAID TO HAVE ENTERED OSTEND. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association NEW YORK. October 14. Anglo-French and Belgians have begun a new Flanders offensive on an extended front, designed to secure Belgian ports. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received October 15, 7.20 p.m.) LONDON, October 14. 7.45 p.m.) The Allies attacked in Belgium on a twenty-eight mile front from Urvicq to the Yscr lias reached Icteghem. The British fleet if} cooperating off Ostend. , LONDON, October 14. The British captured Holders. The Allies pushed on and are now four miles north of Conrtrai. NEW YORK, October 14. In Flanders the 'French have captured 3000 prisoners. (Received October 16, 1.30 a.m.) LONDON, October 14. . Mr Philip Gibbs states that there is an unconfirmed report that a British monitor' entered Ostend. Australian and N.Z. Cabii, Association. (Received October 15, 7.30 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, October 14. Tim Belgians are fleeing from the areas threatened by the Allies, towards the Dutch frontier, causing great congestion and n shortage of food. Thousands have already crossed the frontier.

CAPTURE OF LAON. TRIUMPHAL ENTRY OF THE FRENCH. • MANGIN CARRIED SHOULDER HIGH BY INHABITANT'S. Australian and N.Z. O'" 1 * Association. LONDON, Oct. 14. A French communique states: The Tenth Army this morning entered Laon, liberating 6500 civilians. We passed far beyond the town on the whole front of the Oise, and north of the Ailette, east of La; Fere. Ye are on the edge of the southern bank of the Sere to Courbes station. Australian and N.Z. Gable Association. (Received Oct.- 15, 7.30 p.m.) PARIS, Oct. 14. General Mangin had , a triumphal entry into Laon on Sunday afternoon, tlie inhabitants welcoming him on masse, weeping for .joy and shouting .“Vive Liberat-eur.” 'J hey carried him shoulder high to the Town Hall, where the- Deputy Mayor received him. the Germans having taken the Mayor and three hundred citizens as lfostages. Laon is less damaged than Cam•"i or St. Quentin. (Received October 15. 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, October 14, 4.45 p.m.) A French communique states: On the whole front we maintained close contact with enemy infantry to the south of Chateau Poeien. Ye drove hack to the north bank of the canal the last of the enemy elements who are still resisting.

STEADY ADVANCE BY BRITISH. FIERCE ENEMY ATTACKS REPULSED. DOUAI SURROUNDED. Australian and N.Z. Cable, Association. LONDON, Oft. 14. Sir Douglas Haig reports: On the afternoon of the 13th the enemy opened a heavy bombardment, on a wide front, northward of Le Gateau, launching strong infantry attacks on our position eastward of the Selle river, in the neighborhood of Solesmes. These attacks were successfully repulsed after stiff fightingThe British have surrounded Douai. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received Oct. 15. 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, Oct.' 14, 4.35 p.m. Tlie British are along the whole waterline of the Haute Deulle Canal and the Sensee canal, but are not likely to be able to cross these for a few days. The French are approaching the river Sierre Souche, behind which is tlie Handing line, to which the enemy retirement has been carried out in good order. They left behind little material, and their movement was in no sense hurried. Moreover, the enemy has been retreating heavily north of Le Cateau. Although further developments must he very uncomfortable for him, at the moment he has undoubtedly got out of an awkward corner very successfully. ,£ ENZEDUS”~~ BRILLIANT FEAT. CROSSING THE RIVER SELLE. I-lUNS 5 STRONG DEFENSIVE POSITIONS TAKEN. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association LONDON, October 14. Mr Gibbs, describing the brilliant feat by the New Zealanders in crossing the river Selle says: In order to cover their retreat and prevent Sir Douglas Haig coming on too fast along tlie crowded roads, the German command ordered the rearguard to bold out to the death on the river Selle. Our men had for two days been trying to force the passages. , 1 After stubborn, heroic efforts, astonishing as the storming of the Scheldt canal, they achieved their purpose. We have now crossed the river. It is a strong defensive position because the banks are cut very sharply down to a stream, 20 feet wide. ' It winds round several villages each having machine gun fortresses. The Germans held the line in strength. We had to attack down a glacis swept by their lire. The feat was done by~ Yorksliiremen, Laneasliires, Scottish and New Zealand units, assisted by cavalry. There are three tree trunks by the river. Some of our men got across by creeping out on the logs among the brushwood. Others waded up to their necks in water, but all had to come hack owing to the German machine guns. Finally the sappers made bridges under the heaviest lire. During the night we cut our way into the German trenches. The Nmy Zealanders fought their way to Biastie, on the river, bank, though the enemy was able to see every movement from - bad already keen fighting f6r days since the marvellous capture of the Mclsli ndge, and La Vacquene on Octobei - and 3, and the capture of Lesdnm and Esnes on the 6th. where the Neu Zealand Rifles and the Canterbury battalion fired their Lewis gun's from their hips, capturing many and repulsing counter-attacks vme the enemy made with tanks captured from the British. It was a battle ot tanks. A British tank charged tlio German tank. The British tank outflanked it, and poured m a, broadside which blew it to bits. The New Zealanders went on to the villages of Beayois, Fontaine anc Vieslv capturinp- Biasti’e on the iltn. On the 12th they forced the river and forced their way UP to the heights of Bellevue, where they are fighting now.