BRITISH OFFENSIVE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume L, Issue 175, 4 October 1917, Page 5

BRITISH OFFENSIVE

FRENCH LINES PENETRATED

IS THIS THE LAST PHASE?

GERMAN COUNTER-ATTACKS OESGRIBEO

FRENCH FfIONT

GERMANY L--NUHEB- UTMOST? WILD THE BATTLE BE DECISIVE? CORRESPONDENT'S HOPEFUL > * VIEW. ' s (Australian and N. Z. Cable Association.'. (Rec. Oct. 4, 8.40 -a.m.) LONDON, Oct, 3. Mr Philip Gibbs states that the artillery battle in Flanders is endless and widespread upon both sides. The enemy has all his guns at work. Is this the last phase of the war? Does the enemy know he must win or lose? Our men have that hope in their hearts, and fight more grimly and with higher spirit because of it. 'Our success »in the last two battles, eastward of Ypres, deepened the hope. "I have heard Tommies telling the Australians that they only need make a grimace at the ■fiirn to make him put his 'hands up.' •Our battalions are having dinners in 'Flemish farmhouses to celebrate the victory which has put the enemy down and under and very near to hopelessness."' RECIPROCAL ARTILLERY FIRE. \Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter.) LONDON, Oct. 2. Sir Douglas Haig reports: There is only reciprocal artillery fire. Our aeroplanes bombed Gontrode and /Carnieres aerodromes and German longrange guns. We 'brought down eight enemy machines. Two of ours are missing.

SUCCESSIVE WAVESMOWED DOWN BY ARTILLERY. (Published in The Times.) LONDON, Oct. 2. Mr Robinson reports that the Germans, in counter' attacks, used more men without making an impression in the region from the upper part of Polygon Wood to below Tower Hamlets. . After, heavy artillery preparation, the Germans came on in tnree successive widespread waves. The first was far advanced before it was picked, out by the guns, and was eventually scotched by rifle! fire before our line was reached. The second wave was wiped' out by the artillery and the third was broken but not checked till it was shattered by rifle fire. Then the enemy turned and fled. ■ Later in the morning attacks with the . heaviest forces were everywhere stopped. The (Germans are again bombing hospitals. ' They killed three nurses, and. wounded one. FUTTEEN GERMAN AEROPLANES DESTROYED. "(Reuter's Telegrams.) AMSTERDAM, Oct. 2. It is reported that 15 German aeroplanes were destroyed at St. Denis aerodrome on September 30th. ; 'A,; GERMAN COMMUNIQUE. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter.) (Admiralty per Wireless Press.) LONDON, Oct. 2. A German official .message states: "We captured a portion of Polygon Wood 500 metres deep, and withstood repeated counter-attacks." RECIPROCAL ARTILLERYING. (Australian an'l N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter.) (Rec. Oct. 4, 10.20 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 3. Sir Douglas Haig reports : —There is reciprocal artillerying eastward of Ypres.

FURIOUS ARTILLERY DUELS. REPRISAL AIR RAIDS IN* GERMANY. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Eeuter.) LONDON, Oct. 2. A French communique reports marked reciprocal artillery activity along the whole of the Aisne front, especially in the C.raonne sector. Our, artillery dispersed enemy forces which were massing in the region northwest.of Rheims. The artillery duel was particularly intense on the right bank of the Meuse during the night from Samogneux to Bezonvaux. We stopped two attacks in the Beaumont, sector ,inflicting appreciable losses. Enemy aeroplanes violently bombarded Dunkirk, inflicting serious material damage. There were numerous civilian victims. By ,way of reprisal we dropped bombs on Stuttgart, Treves, Cobleritz, and "Frankfbrt-on-the-Main. GERMAN OFFICIAT7 REPORT. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter.) fAdmiralty par WiVolbrs. Press.} LONDON, Oct. 2. A German communique says.: ."We penetrated to the rear of the - French position near. Bezonvaux."

GERMANS DRIVEN OUT AGAIN. {AustraliAu ind N.Z. Cable Association (Rec. Oct. 4, 10.20 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. * A French communique says:—There is fairly violent artilleryi'ng in Belgium and on the Aisrie front. The Germans heavily attacked after bombardment on the right bank of the Meuse between Hill 344 and Sammogneux. They gained a footing at a point north of Hill 344, but were driven from a greater part after violent fighting.