ANGLO-BRITISH OFFENSIVE IN BELGIUM.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 10122, 1 November 1917, Page 5

ANGLO-BRITISH OFFENSIVE IN BELGIUM.

HAIG'S SUCCESSFUL OPERATION. IMPORTANT PROGRESS MADE. CANADIANS MEET FIERCE OPPOSITION. Received November 1, 11.45 a.m. LONDON, Oct. 31. General Sir Douglas Haig conducted a successful operation with limited objectives this morning, between the Ypres-Roulers railway and the Poe!cappelle-Westroosel>oke road. Important progress was made, despite tho marshy ground on the bulk of the front, heavy rain and gales making communication between tho troops extremely difficult. The Canadians on the right, despite, fierce opposition, gained all their objectives on the main ridge, and reached the outskirts of Passchaendaele. The fighting was most severe on the spur westward of tho village, where five counter-attacks were beaten oil. We captured machine guns, which were used in repulsing these attacks. The going wan particularly bad on the left of the attack, flooded streams intercepting the low-lying ground. Naval and London Territorial battalions captured a number of fortified farms and stong points, after heavy fighting. The Gloucesters made a successful raid last night, south-eastward of Gravelle. Tho Belgians made a successful raid southward of Dixmudc. GERMANS SENT REELING BACK. HEAVILY PUNISHED BY THE CANADIANS. Australian-New Zen land Cable Association. LONDON, Oct. 31. Sir Douglas Haig reports: Northward of the Ypres-Roulers railway we attacked at 4.50 this'morning and made good progress. Australian-New Zealand Onhle Association. LONDON, Oct. 30. A headquarters correspondent, says: Our armies again struck the German masses in Flanders and sent them reeling back in places to tho depth of nearly a. thousand yards. Luck was with us in the matter of weather, which kept dry. Before the sun was two hours high the Canadians making the attack gained most of their objectives; The fighting was chiefly towards the outskirts of Passchendaele and the region of Poeleapelle, along several tributary spurs of th" great, ridge system which is gradually being won from the desperately resisting "nernv. Early in the advance the Germans launched a big counter-attack. It so chanced that th" Canadians had just carried strong fortified redoubts in the centre on which the enemy attack was directed. The place was liberally furnished with machineguns, which were promptlv turned against the oncoming enemy, and rifle fire soon completed the work of the machines gunners. The counter-attack was repulsed with heavy punishment. The ground is still desperately bad, but nlonsr the higher places where the principal fighting is developing the surface is reasonably good between the flooded shell holes.

BAVARIANS BEATEN BACK. Australinn-Now Zealand Cable Association. LONDON, Oct. 20. Tli<’ Cnitqd Press correspondent says: 'Die Britishers are now on the outskirts of Passcliendaele. Tile Bavarians counter-at-tin'lcecl savagely despite the British artillery, which mowed great gans in their ranks. Suddenly, however, machine trims enfiladed them at 800 yards range. The Bavarians faltered and stopped: then the remnants fell back in disorder as the Canadians pelted them with their own machine guns captured at Meochelle. Meanwhile the Britishers advanced astride the Lokerbottorbeek, crossed almost impassable marshes, and entered Lekcrhottorbcek. OFFICIAL REPORTS FROM THE ALLIES. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. Received November 1, 8.50 a.m. LONDON, Oct. 31. General Sir Douglas Haig reports hostile artillery action in the, night against the positions captured yesterday. There were no counter-attacks. The French communique says: Artillery duel is fairly active in sectors from BreycEnlaoniiois to Hurtcbisc and to the left of the Meuse. Wo inflicted heavy losses on the, enemy by a raid north-west of Rheims. We bombed the railway stations at Lichterfcldo, Maizieres, Los Metz and Thonvillc. A big fire broke out in the Maizicro station. LONDON, Oct. 30. A French communique says: A strong enemy group in the region of Corny was repelled. The, artillery duel was continued on the Chaulnes Wood-Bczonvaux trout. We have re-taken now trench elements on the Cauriercs Ridge. GERMANY ADMITS LOSS OF PASSCHENDAELE Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. LONDON, Oct. 30. A wireless German official report says: The English strongly attacked Passchendaolo village, which was lost, but vigorous enemy counter-attacks near Ghcluvelt broke down with sanguinary losses.