THE FLANDERS OFFENSIVE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 1016, 8 November 1917, Page 5

THE FLANDERS OFFENSIVE.

THREE VILLAGES CAPTURED. A uatralian-New Zealand Cable Association. LONDON. Nov. 6. British official: This morning the Canadians wore completely successful against •defences in an.cl around Passchcndaclc and a spur north of the village. There was lighting at a number of points, but wo steadily progressed and captured early the villages of P asschondaelc, Mossclinarkt and (Joudbccg. GENERAL HAJC’S THRUST. PA'.SSCHENDAELE OPERATIONS SUCCESSFUL. ALL OBJECTIVES CaTNEI) AND firmly held. Alastraiian-New Zealand Cable Association (Reuter's Telegram A Received November 8, 10.25 a.m. LONDON, Nov. 7. General Sir Douglas Haig reports: The (Canadian operations in the morning were •completely successful against the defences aim and around Passchendaele and on tho north and northwest. After a successful assembly, the assault was launched at ■six o’clock, a,s arranged. The enemy had been ordered to hold this important )>osition «on (lie main ridge at all costs. Hard lighting followed at a number of points, particularly on the high ground northward of the village. fo r a collection of fortified buildings occupying strong points on tho Goudberg spur. Nevertheless the troops made steady progress, and captured at an early hour Passeivjndaolo village a.nd Mossolmarkt and Goudltierg hamlets, and gained, all -their objectives before midday. They made a number of prisoners, raiding at intervals, our guns dealing effectively with tho enor ay’s batteries and concentrations of infant .ry. , THE GERMANS RAN AWAY. BRITISH MASTERS OF THE AH’. Received November 8, 9.50 a.m LONDON, Nov. 7. Mr Phillips states: Tile 'feature of the capture of Passchendaelo was the weak Resistance of tho troops opposing tho | Canadians. '1 ho eleventh German division, composed of hardv Breslau battalions, was ordered to hold on at nil costs. Many surromkyrod, more ran away, and none stood their ground. The Canadians advanced more than two thousand yards. Twenty minutes after the attack was launched they were rooting out tho occupants of the T fc.sschonclnole collars. When tho Germans sought to fly down the -lopes, the Canadians iwoughtjiewia guns and killed the fugitives. Cur airmen were the masters of the sky. I hey swarmed above the German lines, and the few enemy aeroplanes wore quickly driven off, CONSOLIDATING NEW POSITIONS, Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. (Reuter’s Telegram.) Received November 8, 10.30 a.m. LONDON. Nov. 7. General Haig reports that the Liverpool troops made a- successful raid north-west-ward of Qucant. Wo are consolidating tho positions wc gained yesterday. POSITION VASTLY IMPROVED. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. LONDON, Nov. 6. The L’nited Press correspondent says: To-day’s fighting has vastly improved the | whole situation around Ypres now that Roulers is under constant British lire. WHAT THE GERMANS SAYLONDON, Nov. 6. A wireless German official message says: English attacks led to fighting all day around Passchendaele. Tho enemy’s as- . sault at Gheluvelt broke down with heavy i losses. ; | Received November 8, 10.40 a.m. LONDON, Nov, 7. | A wireless German oflicial message says: 1 There was desperate fighting in Flanders yesterday. The enemy penetrated to Passchendaelo. We re-took the eastern portion of tho village. ' Strong attacks against Bccelaere and Gheluvelt failed. I