AISNE ATTACK

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume L, Issue 175, 27 October 1917, Page 5

AISNE ATTACK

ANOTHER GENERAL ADVANCE IMPORTANT CAPTURES. INCLUDING MUCH WAR MATERIAL. NUMBER. OF PRISONERS NOW OVER 11,000. (Australian and If.Z. Gable Association and Reuter.) LONDON, Oct. 26. A French communique says:—We made a general advance this morning beyond positions reached last evening bordering the Oise-Aisne Canal. The' village and forest of Pinon, also the villages of Pargny and Filain, are in our hands. South of Filain, which our patrols penetrated, we occupied the farms ,of St. Mannens, Chapelle, and St. Bermthe. The enemy, under our pressure, were compelled to abandon much material, including 20 guns, eeveral of which are' six-inch mortars. Altogether 120 guns captured since October 23rd" have been counted, in addition to several hundred mine-throwers and machine-guns .

We took over 2000 prisoners during the day, and over 11,000 prisoners, including 200 officers, have been taken since the beginning of the operation. The Germans on the right bank of the Meuse followed up the morning bombardment of the Bois le Chaume with an attack which our fire stopped.

ADVANCE TO THE OISE-ATSNE CANAL. (Renter's Telegrams.).

LONDON, Oct. 26. Reuter's correspondent at French Headquarters. writing on the afternoon of the 25th inst., says:—On the right, our victory -was completed by the capture of the villages of Fargny and Filain. Thereabouts, and in the forest of Pinon, the enemy were forced to abandon a large number of guns. We made progress on the left beyond the limits assigned for October 23rd. . Our patrols were in touch along the Oise-Aisne Canal this morning, the tanks co-operating. Following Tuesday's victory, our troops continued the advance towards the Oise-Aisne canal from the ■* est and south, and now hold all the heights on the south bank of the canal above the eastern end of the Ailette Valley. We are fifthly established on the receding slopes from Vauxaillon to Cha."vignon.

GERMANS DISOBEY COMMANDS

STEADY UNRELENTING PROGRESS BY THE FRENCH. (Australian, and N.Z. Cable Association LONDON,^Oct, 26. The Daily Chronicle's correspondent at French Headauarters says that after the terrible blows on Tuesday minor German commands seem in disorder. Papers taken reveal that one battalion of which 600 were captured at' Pinon received contradictory orders to retire and to hold Pinon at any cost. For some days French aviators have been reporting' that the Germans are cutting down fruit trees and demolishing farms in the Ailette Valley, recalling what* happened during the Somme retreat. It seems that the Boche has got the windup very oadly in this region. The French are making steady, U! re lenting progress. The Canal is not «m obstacle, but there is a good deal of marshy ground in the Ailette V.-.l p y. The question also arises whether the enemy will attempt to hold the remainder of the Chemin des Dames. After two days' triumphs our troops are in splendid" spirits. ADMISSION OF RETIREMENT. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Rcutsr.) (Admiralty per Wireleaa Press.) LONDON, Oct., 25. A German official message says :- "Our advanced troops at Pinon and Chavignon and in the Ailette r< aion have withdrawn behind the Aisne line owing to French pressure."

TWO INGENIOUS CUNS CAPTURED

EACH SERVED BY 40 MEN.

A 200-LB. EXPLOSIVES TORPEDO FIRED. (Rec. Oct. 27. 11.30 a.m.) PARIS, Oct. 25. The French at captured* two ingenious guns, each served "by 40 men. They fire a torpedo carrying 200 lbs. of explosives', which the Germans intended to use against the Chemin des J>ames. Each gun had a supply of 100 torpedoes. The night was calm along the entire front north of the Aisne. The enemy onlyl replied feeblv with artillery. "" We are organising the captured positions on the south ibank of the Oise and the Aisne Ganal, the bridges of which the retfeating enemy blew up: The "Germans ' re-attacked' north of

Chaume Wood to the right of the Meuse, after a lively fight, in which the enemy suffered serious losses. They only gained a footing in one of our advanced elements.

PANIC STRICKEN TOWN

FRANKFORT AND ALLIED AIR REPRISALS. « (Rec. Oct. 27, 12.35 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, Oct. 26. Travellers from Frankfort say that the town is panic-stricken, owing to the Allies' air reprisals. Travellers were not allowed to leave the hotels after five in the afternoon for five days, as Allied air operations were reported to be near.

WAR HONOUR FOR NEW ZEALANDERS

THE MILITARY MEDAL. AWARDS BY THE CORPS COMMANDER. (Specal Dispatch from the New 7*aland Official Correspondent, Captain M. Ross.) LONDON, Oct. 22. The New Zealand Amy Corps Cmmander, under the authority delegated to him, has awarded military n-.<:dals> to the undermentioned non-comrni.vsion-ed officers arid men : Bar to Military Mtvla.l. Infantry.—Cpl. W. Pte. E. Kelsall, Pte. D. W. Porter, Pte. WC. Espie. Military Medal. J. M-'A. Mi:ls, Fitter J. L. Richford, S. J \m« Gunner R. P- Withell, Gunner A J. Paterson, Gunner E. J. Qumlan, Gunner E. W. Philpott, Bombr. L. Hartman, Sgt. J. M. Stringer. .•■ Ammunition Column. —Cpl. J. M. Loffhagen. _• . Field Engineers.--Sgt. W. J.. Brown, Set O- S. Elsom, Col. Dt. W. Stronach, L -Cpl. W. B. Gilbert, L.-Cpl. T. Hatfull, L.Cpl. D. Gunn, Sapper A. 1. Brokenshire. _ Signal Company.—Opl- H. C. Rowe, Cpl. W. Ward, Cpl- L. Leary, L--Cpl. AT J. H. Wilman Lance-Corpl. N.N. M'Kenzie, Sapper R. W. Belk, L.-Cpl. CI Goldstone, Sgt. H. Williams. Infantry.—Cpl. W. C. Chapman, Pte. D Jones, Pte. D. G. Need-ham, Pte. E." E. Edward, Pte. J. A. Jopp, PteH. Metcalfe, Pte. C. T. Willsmith, Pte. IF E. Beaufort. Pte. F. L. Truman. Pte K. N. Hamlin, Opl. R. A. Harvey, iPte € A. Donovan, Pte. T. Geange, Set' F. L. Chappell, Cpl. L. A. G. Bur'nlev, Sgt. J. C Moss, Pte. P. Morris Pte. F. W. Peart, L:-Gpl. A. Wright, Pte. A. F. Sim-,. Sgt. D. A. Jenkins', Sgt. D. Ffaser, Sgt. T M. Currari, L.-Cpl. L. Rutchie, V* 6 -®- £- A. Mitchell, Sgt. R. Angus, L.-Cpl. G. M Cowie, Pie. A. S'. Howatson, Pte. T' B Cleland, L.-Cpl. W. Moffitt, Pt*. D. L. M'Gonagle, Pte. C. Matthews, Pte. J. S. Verran, Pte. W. Potter, Sgt. J. A. Birtles, Sgt. A. S. Jeffs, Pte. J. Coughey, Pte. H. Shaw, Cpl. N. M. Robinson, 'Cpl. W. (Brierley, Pte. H. F Wilev, Pte. C. S. Morris, Pte. J. •Owen, "Sgt. S. C. Squires, Pte. A. Hindhco. Sgt. W. J. R- Trotter, L.-Cpl. W L. Locker, 'Cpl. F. de Luen, Pte. W. J. Howie, Pte. S. Cawlor, L.-'Cpl. C E. Molesworth, Sgt. F. Coulan, Sgt. W. Howe, Pte. J. H. Brewer, Pte. W. H. Nankervis, L.-Cpl. C White, L.-'Cpl. W. V. Price, Sgt. S. V. Watson, Sgt. J. T. Bailed L.-Cpl. J. T. B. Taffe, Sgt. !R\ Gunn, Pte. E. L. . Luff, Pte; P. Wotuerspoon, L.-Cpl. L. H. Paynter, Pte. J>. Miller, Opl. L. R. Maynard, Pte. Vv. H. Faithful, Pte. L. Watkins, Pte. K- Jamieson, Pte. J. W. M'Cullagh Pte. W. TX Graisscock, Pte. P. Bullen, L.-'(spl. L . P. Moffat, Pte. A. D Mead, L.-Corpl. R. H. Halligan, Sgt. H. Bigham, Pte. Ralph, C.Q.M.S. J. F. Cody, L.-Cpl. 'O. Loader, Sgt. A. Cruickshank, .Jsgt. W. R. Oskinley, C.Q:M.S. A. C. Thompson, Pte. T. 'O'Brien, Driver J. Coley, Pte. J L. Churchill, Sgt. G. A. Vincent, Sgt. W. P. Morrin, L.-'Cpl. O. Hayton, L.-Cpl. F. W. Hamill, Pte. E. W. !Pullar, Pte. P. 'Blackburn, Cpl- (T.Sgt.) D. M'Lean, Sgt. J. T. C. Cunningham, Pte. C L. Smith, Pte. C. W. Beeby, Sgt. G. Hastie, Cpl. _E. J. Wills, Pte. T. Hansen, Pte. H. V. Denize, Pte. J. Bishop, Pte. J-. W. Clack, L.-Sgt. B. Heese, Pte. J. A. Burke, Pte. T. Brown, L.-'Cpl. S. W. Jones, Sgt. W. C. D. Elliott, Pte. K. C Wills, Sgt. G. W. M'L. Irvine, L:■Cpl. J. Kelliher, Pte. E. Wade, Sgt. J. A. Anderson, Pte. J. Wallace, Sgt. T. Killoy, Pte. H. C. Holgate, Pte. T. W. Knight, Pte. D. H. MTrityre, Pte. J. E. James, Pte. iD. M'Kenzie, Sgt. A. H. M'Kane, Sgt. F. H. Mintrom, Cpl. S. A. Hammond'. Pioneers.—jCpl. T. W. Nichalls, Cpl. A. Sparks, Pte. A. Conqay, Pte. vV. Tdnsratake, Pte. T. , Opl. J. Apa. Medical Corps.—Pte. B. Thorn, Sgt. C. H. Kidman, L.-Cpl. A. E>. Pointon, L.-Corpl. J. E. Beckenham, Cpl. R. W. Vincent, Pte. W. Saunders-Loder, Pte. C. G. O. Veitch, Pte. F. L. Cupples, Pte. T. OlConnell, Pte. A. W. H. Newton, L.-Corpl. J. W. M'Kenzie, Pte. (L. C. Hopkins. Pte. A. MTF. Douglas, L.-'Cbrpi. W. F. Anderson, Pte. J. A. W. B. Johnston? Pte. R. Clemens.

THE SINKING OF AN AMERICAN TRANBPQRT

ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS. fATißtraliaa» and N.Z Oabla A*socdatiom. • WASHINGTON, Oct. 25. It" is announced- that' two of those who were killed in the Antilles were naturalised Americans whose parents were leaving 1 - •Germany. The New York Sun*s correspondent at a French port interviewed the survivors. They estimated that 60 to 60 were killed. The crew woto life preservers. Otherwise the death roll woxrlld 'have been heavier. The sea was Tough, and three lifeooats were overturned:. (Scores of men, including a brigadier-general, clung to the wreckage, and were picked up after two hours. Many jumped into the sea and were sucked under. There were many thrilling escapes. (Meanwhile the convoy unavailingly searched for the U "boat.

The ship was torpedoed at 7 o'clock in the morning. Many were killed in their berths. Six returning wounded were first lowered into the lifeboats. The ship's stern rose almost perpendicular, and many jumped from a height of 60 feet. The crew displayed the utmost heroism.

The destroyer Cassis, in European waters, although torpedoed and having one engine disabled, continued to search for the U boat till nightfall. THE BELLIGERENTS' STRENGTH. AN AMERICAN' COMPILATION. (ArestriiMUi' and N.Z. Oaitila- associatiitt WASHINGTON'. Oct. 25. The "United States War Department's compilations estimate the men under arms for the Allies at 27 and a half millions, and for the Central Powers at ten and a half millions. The figure* include naval personnel. PRICE OF AUSTRALIAN AMD NEW ZEALAND BUTTER ADVANCED. (Rec. Oct. 27. 11.30 a.m.) ILONDON, Oct. 26. The maximum price for Australian; 'Sil, ' "er has been advanced) to 2205, and of New Zealand! to 224 a..