WESTERN FRONT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17394, 3 February 1917, Page 9

WESTERN FRONT.

WITH THE FRENCH. AIRCRAFT DO USEFUL WORK. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Eeuter. LONDON, February 1. A French communique states that a French air squadron bombed railway stations and depots at Gurchv Voyannes and bivouac* east of Nesle A French gun aeroplane fired fifty shells at cantonments at Menil, Saint Nicaize and Herly, on the &omme. ARTILLERY ACTIVITY., (Received February 2, 10.55 p.m.) PARIS, February 2. A French communique says:—There is nothing to report except a lively artillery duel at Hartmannsweilerkopf and east of Metzeral. THE BRITISH LINES. ENEMY ATTACKS FAIL. NEW ZEAL ANDERS PRAISED. LONDON, February 2. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—W« im-

proved our position ,'* f p ""- mont-Hamel and carried out a successful raid soutn-east of ..~ Vaast. We repulsed attempts to approach our lines south-east of Armentieres and east of Ypres. Two other attacks in the neighbourhood of Wytschaete by strong parties dressed in white were beaten back with heavy losses. The enemy's artillery is more active south of Ypres. The British captured 1228 Germans, including twenty-seven officers, in January. Among the regiments specially distinguishing themselves are the 2nd Battalion of the Third New Zealand Rifle Brigade. ACTIVITY INCREASING. GIGANTIC CLASH PENDING. BOTH SIDES ON EDGE OF GREAT STRUGGLE. Auatralinn and N.Z. Cable Association. , < LONDON, February 1. Activity on the Anglo-French front is increasing, pending a gigantic clash of arms. The mighty armies are taking each other's measure. French critics, who fully expect that the 1917 campaign will end the war, interpret German attacks on January 30, not only as feelers, whereby the staff is seeking to discover the wellkept secret of the Allies' plans, but a prelude to a German offensive. The Anglo-French staffs are fully prepared to cope with any German effort. , General Rawlinson discussed a_ possible German offensive, and said: " We have everything we need, and' if the Germans care to lose a few hundred thousand men for no purpose, we have no objection." Major Decivrieux, writing in "Le Matin," points out that the mobility of the large Anglo-French heavy artillery reserves is assured by railway and motor traction, enabling a crushing surprise offensive to be directed against the enemy while they I pre engaged on another sector. The Allies will not he content with the defensive, and thus will absorb the enemy's effort and exhaust his effectives.