THE RECENT FIGHTING IN FLANDERS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 10106, 13 October 1917, Page 5

THE RECENT FIGHTING IN FLANDERS.

SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S REPORT. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association, LONDON, Oct. 12. Sir Douglas Haig reports that, th<- improved weather and good visibility favoured the work of our artillery. There is much effective counler-a rl illery lighting, besides bombardments of the enemy’s positions and communications in the back areas. Hostile artillery is less active, and there has been no- further artillery action. Our aeroplanes «n Wednesday bombed the German oig gun positions. Five enemy machines "ore brought down. Four of ours are missing. (Router's Telegram.) LONDON, Oct. It. Gcnera.l Maurice, reviewing the situation, says:—“We have every reason to be'pleased with the latest advance.” Ho describes Colonel Moraht’s statement that since the 20th September the British lost half a million men, art grotesque. There was not that number of men engaged in the whole series of battles. Since January our total casualties in all theatres had not exceeded half a million. The submarines had not delayed our plans i.u France one hour nor kept back a single round of ammunition. The British were better fed and more liberally supplied and equipped than ever before. The importation of war materials into France, which before was 11 tons hourly, had risen to 24 tons in the last week of September. Railway and canal facilities for transporting supplies were now enormously improved. (United Service.) LONDON, Oct. 11. Keith Murdoch, war correspondent, records many, instances of individual heroism in the Flanders battle, and numerous cases of men single-handed taking scores of prisoners. A sergeant rushed between two machine guns and shot the crews of both. A corporal worked his way round a redoubt and attacked an officer with the bayonet. The officer fled, and 50 inmates surrendered. An officer, armed with a cane only, entered a dugout and took prisoner 20 men. In the final stages of the struggle men bringing ui> ammunition their mules <ml participated in the lighting. Mr Murdoch adds that few battles have seen so much icvolvor lighting. Most of the Germans carried revolvers, which they preferred to the bayonet. Good authorities confirm the estimate that there were two Germans lying dead on the captured ground for every one wo took prisoner. , . Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. LONDON, Oct. 12. A French communique mentions mutual artillery activity at various points of the front, but no infantry action has occurred. ADMIRALTY REPORT. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. (Reuter’s Telegram.) Received October 13, 9.5 a.in, LONDON, Oct. 12. The Admiralty reports that despite the weather naval aircraft dropped many bombs on the . Sparnppelhoek aerodrome yesterday. All returned.