WESTERN CAMPAIGN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16741, 23 December 1914, Page 7

WESTERN CAMPAIGN.

PROGRESS IN BELGIUM. GERMANS BOMBARD HOSPITAL GOOD WORK IN CHAMPAGNE COUNTRY By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. PARIS. December 21. The following official report has been issued:— Tlio only important occurrences m Belgium yesterday were advances in the Lombartzydo and St Georgos districts, south-eastward of Bixchoote, and. at Zwartegem. south-eastward of Zillebeke. The enemy bombarded the Ypres hospital. We carried a wood and occupied the first German trenches near Notre Dame do Loiotte, wrecked German trenches and shattered two guns south-east-ward of Camoy, which is eastward of Albert. Our heavy artillery had a clear advantage on tho Aisne and in the Rheims district. Wc won twelve hundred metres of German trenches at Beausjour, in the Champagne district. We progressed along tho remainder of our front. WEEK OF SUCCESSES. GREAT ALLIED MOVE. LONDON, December 21. The “Daily Chronicle” says that the week’s successes for tho Allies havo been followed by the resumption of hostilities at Roulers, which wascaptured after fierce assaults. Tho floods between Dixmudo and Nieuport have been passed, and the Allies have joined forces on tho northeastern side of the flooded area. Bayonet attacks wero pushed home, with tho result that tho Allies’ patrols aro within a few kilometres of Ostend. The sweeping offensive was no less successful in tlio south. Tlio French and British havo arrived at tlio gates of Lille, and the withdrawal of the main German force ,to Toui'ccdug and Roubaix is reported.

THE ALLIES' ADVANCE. MANY FLANDERS TOWNS OCCUPIED. LONDON. December 21. The Sluis correspondent of the newspaper “ De Tijd ” states that the Allies assisted by the fleet and British artillery occupied unopposed Lombaertzyde, St Georges and Westende, also Bixschoote, Langemarck, Pnsschendaele and Moorslede. The British are patrolling tho village of Westroosbekc, near Passchendaelo, but definite occupation of the village depends on the issue of fighting in the woods to the south-west. Tho Germans now are concentrating as many men as possiblo to regain tho territory lost north-east of Ypres. The Allies are steadily advancing towards the ltoulers-Menin railway. German communications are seriously endangered owing to the British occupation of Moorslede. COAST BOMBARDED. NO RESPONSE FROM GERMANS. AMSTERDAM, December 21. The Sluis correspondent of “ Handelsblad ” states that a British squadron bombarded tho coast at Zeebruggei and Heyst to-day. The Germans did not respond. OBJECT OF RECENT MOVEMENTS. PREPARATION FOR OFFENSIVE. (Received December 23, 12.20 a.m.) LONDON, December 22. A correspondent in the * north of Franco states that tho fighting at Nieuport has diminished in intensity. The Belgians are not attempting more than to hold their own against the German counter-atacks at Lombartzyde and St ] Georges. There is no foundation for tho rumour that the Allies are within. two miles of Ostond. j Tho object of tho Allies’ recent move- ] ment-s was,to secure a position on the further bank of the Yser in order to make a later offensive easier. When' the Allies had no troops further ad- ’ vaneed than Nieuport .a small German force with guns sufficed to guard the bridgehead. The Allies pushing forward will lengthen the front and make f the attack easier ns there will be more i room for manoauvres. A second impor- ! tant movement is occurring north of. Ypres in the region of Bixschoote. Floods cover the remainder of the country. Thus tho Allies’ offensive resembles two claws. Finer weather willj be welcomed by all the troojps. J

OFFICIAL REPORT. The following mossage has been received from the High Commissioner: —; LONDON, December 21, 6.15 p.m. Paris reports that British troops attacked this morning, retaking the greater part of the trenches previously lost. Before Lihons the enemy mado four successive attacks. All were repulsed.