FRENCH ATTACK

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume L, Issue 175, 26 October 1917, Page 5

FRENCH ATTACK

GERMAN ARTILLERY ACTIVE

NEW FRENCH FRONT DESCRIBED (Australian and N.Z. Cable Associate and Reuter.) (Rec. Oct. 26, 8.40 a.m.) .LONDON, Oct. 25.A French communique says : —North of the" Aisne, the German artillery is particularly active in the sectors La Royere —Les Bovelles and in the region of Malmaison on the new front, which runs from Mont Dessinges (the whole of which is in our possession) to Chavignon. The enemy has not attempted any infantry action. It is -confirmed that the tanks played an important part in yesterday's attacks. The number of prisoners exceeds eight thousand. - The booty counted includes 70 guns, 30 mine throwers and 80 machine guns. On the right of the Meuse there were brisk artillery actions in the regions Samogneux, Vacheranville, and Chaume and west of Douaumoht. TWO CRACK REGIMENTS CAPTURED. (Rec. Oct. 26, 11.5 a.m.) PARIS, Oct. 25. Two regiments of Guards were captured in the Aisne battle, "including the <ssths, who are regarded as one of..the elite, the,men of which possess certificates attesting that they repelled twenty-one attacks and therefore merited the title of "Invincibles." THE STRATEGIC INTENTION. LINE OF CRESTS TO BE CAPTURED. (Reuter's Telegrams.) LONDON, Oct. 24. Reuter's correspondent at French Headquarters says the strategic intention of the high command in the Aisne battle is to finally and completely thrust the enemy off the crets of the line. We now hold practically the entire line of crests between Craonne and Vauxaillon, in addition to commanding a view of the Ailette Valley from end to end, and also a view . up and down the valley at the head of which stands iLaon, and a view northward across the plain over the enemy communications to Aizy, in the upper Cbucy -Forest. FRENCH TANKS. DO GOOD WORK. (Renter's Tel«gram».) ' . LONDON, Oct. 24. The Daily Chronicle's correspondent at French Headquarters states that the French tanks did good work in the last - battle- -Their mechanism is like that of the British tanks, but the machines are smaller, possessing greater manoeuvring powers thafi our early models. They carry a field gun and several machine guns. The tanks captured ruined farmsteads which were -holding 'up the .attack. . The French . artillery smashed caves and tunnels on two plateaux in the sector. .Four hundred Germans who were trapped in a quarry refused to emerge believing that the FrencE would massacre prisoners, until assurances were given to the contrary. * ,'

HEAVY GERMAN LOSSES

ESTIMATED ABOUT 26,000. ENEMY NONPLUSED EVERY- - WHERE. .Awfcralian and N.2. Cable Asswciaxiaii. 1 PARIS. Oct. 24. The Matin states that the German losses in the Aisne fighting total about 26,000. The victory means that the enemy, who have been on the defensive since February, 1916, are still unable to take the initiative anywhere, and will be forced to make a strategic retreat in order to avoid disaster.

BRITISH OPERATIONS

GREAT ARTILLERY! ACTIVITY* Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter.) LONDON. Oct. 24. Sir Douglas Haig reports mutual heavy artillery activity at ths Houthulst Forest positions. Our battery work was destructive at various points. The weather is wet and stormy. GERMAN REPORT. (Australian and N.Z. Cable AuaocSasiiH.) {Rec. Oct. 26, 1.5 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 25. A German official message states that there was most violent enemy gunfire between Houthulst Wood and Passchendteele. GERMAN COMMUNIQUE. (Australian and N.Z. •able Association and Renter.) {Admiralty per Wirelew Press.) LONDON. Oct. 24. A German official message- says:— "The French did not continue the attack on the Ghemin-des-Dames."

COMPLETELY REPULSED

ANOTHER STRONG GERMAN COUNTER-ATTACK. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reator.) (Rec. Oct. 26, 11.5 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 25. Sir Douglas Haig reports: We completely repulsed another strong attack last night south of Houthulst Wood. The Gloucesters, Worcesters, and Berkshires successfully! raided positions ■between Reoux and Gavrelle.

ITALIAN FRONT

THE ENEMY OFFENSIVE. (Reuter's Telegrams.) LONDON. Oct. 2-i Reuter's correspondent at Ji.V.ian Headquarters says that practically the Avhole Austrian army is now on the Italian front, and also strong German reinforcements. It is apparently intended to ;itt:iek Tolmino with a view to fcrying the Italians to abandon Bainsizza Plateau and retire to the Isonzo. A COMBINED ATTACK. (Australian an'i N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter.) i AainiraJty per Wireless Press.)' LONDON. Oct. ?4. A German communique says: 'We made a combined attack on the ItaJiin front, making progress and taking some thousands of Italian prisonars."

GREAT BATTU fIACINC

BRITISH AND FRENCH REINFORCE ITALIANS. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) , (Rec. Oct. 26, 10.30 a.m.) NEW YORK, Oct. 25. Cable advices report that an extremelv great battle is raging on Bainsizza Plateau, 20 new divisions of Austrians participating in the offensive. Oadorna has been reinforced by English and French forces. , ITALIAN REPORT. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Aseociatio» and, EUater.) (Rac., Oct. 26, 1.5 p.m.) I LONDON, Oct. 25. An Italian official message states that tlie enemy launched a' strong attack after a most violent bombardment, especially between "Mount Rombon and the northern edge of Bainsizza Plateau. We resisted, "but more to the southward the .enemy penetrated our ad- j vanced lines on the left oank of the Isonzo and crossed the river at Saint Maria and Saint Lucia. We checked! powerful attacks westward of Volnik and also on the western slopes of Sauga* hrida. GERMAN REPORT. (Australian and N.Z. Cabin Association , and Reut«r.) (Admiralty per Wireless Press.) i(Rec. Oct. 26, 1.5 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 25. A German official message states: The AustrOrGermans attacked on a 30-kilo-metre front on the Isonzo and penetrated Flitch Basin, and Tolmino, overrunning strong positions'' in the first thrust. . The.. Italians desperately resisted. The fighting proceeds. s ' We prisonered !>-. the evening 10,000, including a Divisional brigade staff, and captured rich booty. '»

BRITAIN'S MMT SUPPLIES

PURCHASE WITHIN THE EMPI.JE. fAnairaSiaaa sad N.Z A&Kxo+ihm. ) > , ~. , ... LONDON. Oct. 74.. A conference. of the Board of Ivade and the High Commissioners. ■» po.ii ted a committee to devise a scheme to obtain the United Kingdom's moat supply within the Empire.

BRITISH FORCES AND WAR WORKERS

THE THANKS OF PARLIAMENT. IA/nstralian and N7 M*ooia£'*n LONDON. Oct. 24 In the House of Commons, Mr "-/lojd George gave notice to move on Monday that ,the thanks of Parliament be tendered to the Navy, the British bnd overseas troops, the medical and other services, and also to the mercantile marine and various war workers, inclidnig women; and expressing sympathy with the relatives of the fallen.

GERMAN MUNITION FACTORIES

REMOVAL FROM WESTERN GERMANY. A BERNE REPORT. (.Australia* and N 7i. OwW* Association.'' (Rec. Oct. 36* 12.30 p.m.) BERNE, Oct. 25. The Germans are preparing to remove their, military factories . from Western Germany, fearing that' the Allies' aeroplanes will destroy them.

BRITISH LIQUOR TRADE

QUESTION OF NATIONAL ACQUISITION CONSIDERED. (A-oafcra.liAr' «n<* N.Z Cable Association.) (Rec. Oct. 26, 11.5 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 25. The Daily Graphic says a committee is investigating conditions of the national acquisition of the liquor trade. It considers that four, hundred -millions may cover the various interests.