YPRES SECTOR

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume L, Issue 175, 29 October 1917, Page 5

YPRES SECTOR

PROGRESS OF LATEST ATTACK

UNFAVOURABLE WEATHER. CONSIDERABLE ADVANCE REPORTED. VALUABLE POSITIONS WON. (Australian and N.Z. Gable Association and Reuter.) LONDON, Oct. 27." Sir Douglas Haig reports: Operations with limited objectives were jointly undertaken. A fine day on Thursday, with a fine drying wind, promised improved fighting conditions, but a sudden change came during the night, and heavy and almost incessant rain has fallen since an early hour this morning. Notwithstanding the great difficulties facing the Allied troops, they made considerable progress, and won valuable positions on the greater part of the front attacked.

Th e main operation was carried out by English and Canadian regiments from northward of the Ypres-Roulers railway.

The" 'Canadian battalions advanced along the main ridge at Passchendaele, and, passing beyond their objectives, established themselves on rising ground southward of tne pillage. Other Canadian battalions, with troops of the English Naval Brigade and battalions of London Territorials made further progress in face of strong opposition along the spurs between the main ridge and our positions eastward of Poelcapelle. They captured a number of strong points and fortified farms. Heavy fighting occurred east and north-east of Poelcapelle, in which the West Lancashire and North Country troops made progress at certain paints. There were subsidiary simultaneous attacks by English troops in the neighbourhood of the Menin road, arid by French northward of Bixschoote. Fierce righting continued all day astride the Menin road and eastward of Polderboek, in which progress was made. A considerable number of prisoners were taken. Northward of Bixschoote the French, attacking with great gallantry, crossed St. Jeansbeek, which was flooded, and captured their objectives beyond with a number of prisoners. The Allies, in the course of these operations, took 800 prisoners. During an air raid on Wednesdaynight another ton of bombs was dropped on the Burbach works. Three of the jparticipating aeroplanes are missing. ~ Our aeroplanes on Thursday night attacked four aerodromes, 45 heavy bombs beinsr dropped, securing a direct hit in one instance on a group of hangars. One machine has not returned. Sir Douglas Haig later reports : The Canadians successfully repulsed two heavy counter-attacks yesterday afternoon southward and westward of Passchendaele, taking a number of prisoners.

We consolidated our gains without interference, and made further progress westward of Passchendaele, capturing eighteen machine guns. A French communique says:—There has been no enemy counter-attacks in Belgium.

THE FRENCH ATTACK

ADVANCE CONTINUE*). SEVERAL VILLAGES CAPTURED. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assaciatien and Reui.er.) ~ LONDON, Oct. 28. Sir Douglas Haig reports : The operations of the French this morning northward of St. Jansbeck continue with success. The French, advancing astride the IBixschoote-Dixmude road despite the difficulties caused, by floods and' heavy - ground, captured the villages of As- ! choop, Kippe, and Merkem, with manyl farms and strong points, taking a number of prisoners. There is a great reciprocal artillery activity on the British 'battle front, hut no infantry action has occurred. The number of prisoners captured since yesterday morning .exceeds 1100, ofVhom 300 were taken by the French. Despite the rain our aeroplanes yesterday performed valuable "work. Four German machines were brought down. Two of ours are missing. FURTERH CAPTURES BY THE FRENCH. (A'jist'-alian and N.Z. ®»bla Association and Router.) LONDON, Oct. 27. A French communique says: In Bel l gium our troops, continuing the action between Briegrachton and Draibank, captured new German trenches north of the objectives reached yesterday. Progress continues satisfactory, despite the difficulty of the ground. POLDERHOEK GARRISON ACCOUNTED FOR. FIERCE FIGHTING IN THE OENTRE. fAustralian and N.Z. Cable Association*. ) LONDON, Oct. 27. Mr Philip Gibbs states that the majority of the 400 garrisoning Polderhoek Chateau were killed- or taken prisoner. Those in the dugouts in Gheluvelt Wood held out after we had passed, constituting a temporary! menace. The fiercest battle' raored near the centre of attack, we obtaining a sharply contested grip of the Belle Vue slopes.

The 'Canadians played an honoura'ble part in the .battle.