SIR D. HAIG'S BELGIAN REPORT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue LXXIV, 21 October 1918, Page 7

SIR D. HAIG'S BELGIAN REPORT.

RESULTS OF RECENT OPERATIONS DEVELOPED.

WHOLE OF WESTERN FLANDERS LIBERATED.

(Received Oct. 21, 10.10 a.m.) _ LONDON, Oct. 20. bir Douglas Haig's Belgian coinmumgu© sta.te.s-. The Anglo-Belgian-French armies, commanded by King Albert, today developed the results of the. last six ■days' operations. Tlti© Belgians occupied Zeebrugge and Heyst and stormed Bruges. Elsewhere the Belgians crossed the Bruges-Ghent Canal. Their left reached the Dutch frontier, and their right reached Aeltre, halfway between Bruges and Ghent. Th© French carried Thielt and th<a adjoining high ground despite the stubborn resistance of the enemy who endiejavored to bar the way to 'the Lys. The French line at the end of the day reached HuHteL vincatand along the Lys to Gramme, Golthein and Wielsheke. The second British army completely cleaned up Courtrai and advanced six kilometres east thereof. Southwards they reached the Couitrax-Tonrnai road, and although the enemy destroyed all communications they advanced almost to the Scheldt.

Since the beginning of the operations the Flanders group of armies have advanced 50 'kilometres on a front of 60 kilometres. Tlie Flanders coast, is completely liberated, and also the wjbol© of Western Flanders —Aus.-N.Z. C.A. and Reuter.