THE WEST FRONT

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 5003, 18 October 1918, Page 5

THE WEST FRONT

ALLIED PUSH IN FLANDERS. MANY VILLAGES CAPTURED AND PRISONERS TAKEN. BRITISH IN LILLE SUBURBS. Australian and N.Z. Gable Association and Eeuter’s. LONDON, Oct. 16. Sir Douglas Haig reports: The Allied forces under the King of the Belgians continued the attack. The Belgians reached approaches to Wynendael Wood and Thourout. The French have reached the outskirts of Lichtervelde. Further south, despite lively resistance, they pushed beyond Roulers to Lichtervelde railway. Southward of the canal the Belgians captured Lsntklede. The Second British Army has reached Lededhe.ja, captured Wcveleghem and Heule and reached the outskirts of Courtrai. We have occupied. MeJiin and Wevineq, where we gained a footing on the right bank of the Lys. Since the 14th the Allies have captured 12,000 prisoners and over 100 guns. . A Belgian communique states : The Franco-Belgians continued to advance on the whole front of the attack. On the left the Belgians advanced several kilometres northward of the Handzeeme-Cortemarck railway. In the centre the French carried the whole of Hooglede plateau and captuied Gits and Gitsberg. French cavalry crossed the Rou-lers-Thourout road and advanced towards Lichtervelde. On. the right, the Belgians, cooperating with the British, operating further south, captured Worckerlhoeck railway and Lendcbze and readied the railway from Courtrai to Indelmunster. Over 7000 prisoners have been counted and 80 guns. The Belgians captured a complete regimental staff. Australian and N.Z. Gable Assooiation NEW YORK, October 16. The British have entered Lille suburbs. Belgian cavalry are within a mile of TTiielt. LONDON, October 16 : Hie British have captured Menin. The Allies have advanced a mile on the whole Flanders front, capturing most important ground. The enemy’s Lys line north-east of Lille is becoming very critical, and an early withdrawal therefrom is anticipated.

NOT A BATTLE BUT A DRIVE. HUN DIVISIONS HANG BACK. FRENCH LIGHT TANKS WORRY THEM. Eeuter’s Telegrams. LONDON. Oct. 16. Reuter’s correspondent at British Headquarters, writing on Tuesday evening, says: Since Sunday morning eight German divisions have been flung back broken, whilst probably all or most of the reserve divisions behind them have had a heavy gruelling. This has not been a battle of limited objectives; rather it has been a drive. « The French light tanks have done extraordinary service. The Germans anticipated the employment of tanks and cavalry also armoured cars in the event of the Allies breaking through, for all roadside trees were felled and laid athwart the paths, and every canal crossing was destroyed. Reuter’s correspondent at British Headquarters adds: The Allies have advanced amazingly well, though fighting was obstinate in places. The number of prisoners taken is expected to largely exceed 11,000. which was the total yesterday morning, and the guns 100. Rattlers was found to be undamaged. Twelve hundred inhabitants were liberated. Australian and N.Z. Gable Association (Received Oc-t. 17. 7.30 p.m.) AMSTERDAM. Oct, 16. Tlte Germans are driving out tens of thousands of fugitives without anything from Northern France. They are not permitted to enter Brussels. The Germans are also stripping the Belgian railways of zinc, copper and other metals. Eeuter's Telegrams. LONDON. October 16. The Germans south-west of Lille are retiring upon the Eautedeule canal. IVe have reached tlie proximity of the enemy’s chief lateral railway from Thourout via Tliielt to Ghent, consequently the Germans have been thrown hack upon the railways of Ostend, Bruges. Ghent, and Brussels for lateral communications, which are awty.vard, owing to the nearness of til® Hutch frontier.

ON THE BELGSAN COAST. HUN PREPARATIONS FOR RETREAT. Aastralian and N.Z. Cable Association. AMSTERDAM. Oct. 16. There are further signs of the evacuation of ostond region. Reports from Antwerp indicate that the Germans are about to send German ships at Antwerp to Holland for internment in Holland. LONDON. Oct. 16. A British montor reached the breakwater at Ostend and silenced osme of the forts. United Services. Silence reigns at Zeebrugge, whence the largest destroyers on a recent stormy night sailed for Germany.

“THE EYES OF THE ARMY.” ALLIED AEROPLANES AT WORK. HUN RAILWAYS. HANGARS AND MACHINES DESTROYED. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Eeuter’s. LONDON, October 16. Sir Douglas Haig’s aviation report states: Fine weather enabled the greatest activity all day. Our bombers caused great damage to railway stations and junctions in the rear of the enemy’s lines, obtaining many direct hits‘and starting'numerous fires in railway sheds. the total quantity of bombs dropped was 33 tons. ~ German aeroplanes were active on the northern battle-front, where heaw air fighting occurred. We destroyed 30 hostile machines and drove down six out of controlThe Press Bureau reports. the Independent Air Force operations were hindered by thick mist and clouds of rain, but we attacked Ur e - catv aerodrome. One bomb fioin < height of 40 feet pierced the loof ot a Zeppelin shed. Another wiecked n hangar. Mechanics who ran out after the explosions were machine Australian and N.Z- Cable Association and Eeuter’s. LONDON, October 16.

A French aviation communique reports: Our reconnaissance aeroplanes observed innumerable fares kindled by the enemy in the whole oi the area wherein lie is; retreating. Our night flyers, despite fog and clouds, dropped six tons of bombs on important stations.