THE FLANDERS OFFENSIVE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 1010, 13 November 1917, Page 5

THE FLANDERS OFFENSIVE.

A RAID REPULSED. Australian-New Zealand Cubic Association. LONDON, Nov. 12. Sir Douglas Haig reportsWc repulsed with loss a raid westward ol Lens. 'lhc organisation of the ground captured on Saturday continues. . Aviation i:v restricted owing to rail), DESPERATE FIGHTING AT PASSCHENDAELE HEIGHTS. GERMAN FIGHT AT ("LOSE quarters. Australian-New' Zealand Cable Association LONDON. Nov. 12. Mr Philip Gibbs reports ’.—The German resistance on Sjaturday was more desperate than in the battle for Passchendacle. The Germans used mil their batteries for miles around, concentrating the deadliest firo on our outer lines, on Passchendaele Heights. The British traversed the storm of shells, took a few prisoners and killed many of the enemy owing to the stubbornness .of the resistance. The English, Irish and Canadian attack succeeded in widening our defensive positions upon Passchendaele ridge, and driving the enemy further down the far side. The weather was very dismal. and tiiK-re was lighting among the block houses all day long in the rainstorm. The, enemy had regrouped his guns since our cap! 11 re of the crost. and his artillery fire 'answering-our barrage on Sunday was extremely violent, The infantrymen declare they have seen nothing like it. during previous attacks. It was a frightful spectacle, and tone marvels at their escape from such a huirricanc of high explosives. Wc reached (1) o enemy's “pill boxes. ’ where some Gormans fought at close quarters. The Canadians' upott the right had better ground to an the English, who were lower down and had a hard time going up the slopes against, the Mock-houses, which were fiercely resisting i Numerous counter-at tucks frclm (he direction of Rosebcck drove back, some of our on tposts, and the heavy shelling,/ coupled with the difficulty ot holding-a- defensive \ flank, compelled .the, Canadians!later to withdraw from some d the foremost positions* but the key to 1 asschondacloj and the | neighbourhood was securely held. The'Ctnadians had an anxious; time for six slet'jdess days and nights, bub 1 went forward galAantly: determined to take the I crests at. alb costs. Their - commander says:—“ The open were line. ’ ■ THE GERMA^i 'REPORT. ’ Australian-New Zealanjd Cable Association. lqndon. Nov. n. A wireless .German official message says: The English, five tiniest attacked the crater Lin'd between Ppclcapefo’ and Pusscneiida ele. They pryietrated oitr centre but "ere thrown out with heavy Bisses. Jhe English attack north-westward ,ol 1 asschenuaele sanguinarily ! collapsed. \ ON THE FRENCH FRONT. 1 Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. ■ LONDON. Nov. 11. A French 1 communique states: Incessant reciprocal artillery tire continues in the (’haumo wood. A violent attack on Haitmann’s Woilfr, in the Vosges, was completely repulsed, ankl another attack at Ucichaclc failed. A later oommuniqtue eays; there is a prettv lively 'artillery struggle m Belgium, in the Paptigoud sector, and on the ngtib bank of the, Meuse, it* the region ol Mil. 344 and Chaumc wood.)