THE FLANDERS CAMPAIGN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 10116, 25 October 1917, Page 5

THE FLANDERS CAMPAIGN.

SEVEN ENEMY COUNTERATTACKS REPULSED. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. (Router's Telegram.) Received October 26. 8.40 a.in. LONDON, Ocl. 24. General Sir Douglas Haig reports that the enemy last: night again attacked the positions in Houthulst wood, at the junction of the Anglo-French armies, but was completely repulsed. Since Monday the enemy lias delivered seven counter-attacks, not achieving material results at any points. The Gloucester successfully raided southeastward of Gavrdle. HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. . Received October 25, 1.40 p.m. LONDON, Oct. 23, 10 a.m. Tho High Commissioner reports: — 1 A British official report says:—There have been highly successful minor operations by our troops in the neighbourhood of Poelcnpelle, and in conjunction with the French, south ot Houthulst forest severe figiiting, hut the southern defences of Houthulst forest have been captured, with a further series of fortified farms and other strong points. The Allied troops established themselves (irmly well beyond tho southern boundary of the forest. THE BRITISH ADVANCE, GENERAL HAIG REPORTS PROGRESS GERMANS’ STUBBORN DEFENCE. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. LONDON, Oct. 24. Sir Douglas Haig reports: —Besides the attack reported in this morning’s comunique. the enemy delivered two other coun-ter-attacks last evening. In one case he attempted to advance along the line west of the Roosebekc-Poelca polio road, but when two hundred yards from our new positions ho was engaged by our infantry with rifle and machine gun lire and beaten oil with heavy loss. The survivors endeavouring to withdraw were caught in our artillery barrage and again suffered heavily. Tho second attack was in considerable strength immediately northward of the Ypres-Staden railway, and was also met by rifle and machine gun lire and driven oil. Early this morning another attack on our positions in Houthulst forest, north-east of Veldhoek, was completely repulsed, leaving prisoners in our hands. A less powerful attempt against a fortified farm captured yesterday south-east of Poeleupelle was equally unsuccessful. There is reciprocal artillery activity to-day, despite the unfavourable weather'. Flying yesterday was almost prevented by the weather until the afternoon. Our aeroplanes, despite the rain and bad visibility, co-operated with the infantry’s attack, continuously reporting progress and assisting with their'machine guns. The enemy had dropped many bombs during the last few nights on onr forward areas. His machines last night were, not nearly so active except in the neighbourhood of Dunkirk, Ours vigorously attacked seven aerodromes, and our Ivontbs fell near hangars and aeroplanes on the ground. Tho railway station at Courtrai was later attacked and a train hit. The rear portion burst into flames. In the little air fighting done two , enemy machines were brought down and two of ours collided over tho enemy line.-. One other is missing.

WAR CORRESPONDENT’S VERSION. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. LONDON, Oct. 21. Mr Philip Gibbs reports; -The lighting on the 22nd revealed a curious inequality in the strength and determination of the German defence. The Norfolk and_ Essex troops cast of Poeleapelle found their chief clidienllv was from the machine gun barrage in the German rear. The heavy gimme which the British had put over the ground for a week had made the area most un-

healthy for the Gormans, who had withdrawn many troops to safer lines, leaving only small outposts, The hardest nosition to take was on the right of Houthulst forest, which despite all the gas that had been soaked in, was full of the 26th Reserve Division who were under stern orders to defend' it to the death. There were many concrete emplacements in the forest and blockhouses along the Stadcu railway.