EFFECT OF CANADIAN ATTACK.

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

EFFECT OF CANADIAN ATTACK.

THE GERMANS BEGAN TO RUN. WHEN NEW OBJECTIVES WERE GAINED. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. LONDON, Oct. 31. Mr Philip Gibbs says: If tho Canadians can hold the hard-won ground they have captured in the region of Crest farm; almost the entire heights of Passchendaelo ridge are within our grasp. Crest farm is the outer fort of Passchcndaclo itself. 'The Canadians attacked on both sides of Ravebook, also along the ridge towards Crest farm, thus attacking tho final heights of Passchendaelo from tho west and southwest in exactly similar positions to the hist New Zealand and Australian attack. Possibly the Canadians find the operation of capturing tho ground les s difficult- than the holding of it, but if they can establish themselves on tins last summit wo will havo the domination of the ground for which the Eng. lish, Scottish, Irish, Australians, New Zealanders, and Canadians have fought through 'hogs and marshes, against concrete blockhouses, and many machine guns, against masses of Germany’s finest troops, and also against incredible bad luck in the weather. The actual capture of Passachcndaele village is possible only after Crest farm iV silenced. The Australians here found it desirable also that Bellevue and Meet elude, on the neighbouring ridge, should bo in our possession. Apparently the Canadians havo now captured all the three positions, thus exposing the village. It was not a great battle in regard to numbers, the greatest distance of the intended advance being only 1000 yards, yet it was a hard battle, because of the enemy’s desperate resistance, the difficulty of the ground, the bad weather, and the physical hardships. Air Gibbs concludes.: Tho Canadians to the left of Ravcboek encountered a hornet’s nest in Freisland’s copse. They suffered somewhat in trying to rush the place. Finally small parties worked round the emplacements and then dashed in and captured them after fierce, close fighting. The Canadians then pushed on to Moetcheele village, which was strongly defended by blockhouses. Another fierce, bloody struggle ensued until

groups of Canadians, after mustering in shell-holes, made a concerted rush and carried the blockhouses. A further light of a similar character occurred around another row of blockhouses beyond Meetcheele. The Germans now began to run and the Canadians knew that their objectives had been gained. Meanwhile other Canadians on the right of the attack fought towards the crest of the farm. Early news indicated its capture.