THE WEST FRONT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17105, 10 September 1917, Page 5

THE WEST FRONT

ENEMY RAIDS REPULSED.

STRONG GERMAN COUNTER-

ATTACK.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Renter. LONDON, September 7. Sir Douglas Haig reports: We rushed a hostile post westward of Queant. We repulsed raids near Lens and Armentieres. Strong counter-attacks northward of Frezenberg afainst the positions we gained yesterday compelled us to return to our line. SMGHT PROGRESS MADE AEROPLANES BUSY. LONDON, September 7, (Received Sept. 9, at 5.5 p.m.) Sir Douglas Haig reports: Out advance posts at Avion and also eastward of Eleu dit Leauvette, on the Lens front, have slightly progressed despite the weather. Our aeroplanes dropped 100 bombs on various targets. SUCCESSFUL RAIDING. LANGEMARCK SHELLED BY HUNS. LONDON, September 8. (Received Sept. 9, at 5.5 p.m.) Sir Douglas Haig reports-. We successfully raided in the neighbourhood of Gavrelle, and there was patrol fighting northeastward of St. Julien. The enemy heavily shelled Langemarck. THE FRENCH LINE. ENEMY ATTACKS DEFEATED. AERIAL RAIDING. PARIS, September 7. A French communique states •. We repulsed enemy attacks south of Ailles. Our air squadrons bombed the railway stations .at TMonviHe and Woippy. AN ARTILLERY DUEL. LONDON, September 7. (Received Sept. 9, at 5.5 p.m.) A French communique says there is reciprocal artillery activity at various points, particularly east of Vauxaillon, y vi the Champagne mountain region, and on both banks of the Meuse. GERMAN STATEMENT. FAILURE OF BRITISH ATTACKS. Admiralty, per Wireless Press. . LONDON, September 7. A German official report states: The English attacked on a four-kilometre front along the Ypres-Roulers railway, but failed. The enemy employed three divisions in a partial attack near Lens, f\nd also failed. We brought down 14 aeroIplanes. DEFENCE OF LENS. GERMAN LOSSES HEAVY. YOUTHS CALLED UP.., Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. PARIS, September 7. The Matin states that the German losses in defending Lens are already 16,000 [1 60,000) men, or a quarter of the number engaged. Moreover, since August 23, 35 JJrown divisions were engaged between Meftkem and Hollebeke, where their losses jswkujb 5600 in each, of eight divisions.

These remain in the fighting line. Nineteen have been withdrawn severely mauled, and the eight others, who axe also suffering, have been transferred to quieter sectors. The Germans have called up the 1920 class. Youths of 17 have already enlisted in certain districts in Eastern Prussia, Hesse, and Westphalia. BATTLE OF THE MARNE. VISCOUNT FRENCH INTERVIEWED. FAILURE OF VON KLUCK'S OPERATIONS. PARIS, September 7. The Journal publishes an interview with Viscount French on the anniversary of the battle of the Maine. '

Viscount French said : " After a 10 days' retreat by forced marches the one idea of General Joffre, myself, and all the commanders was to save Paris, avoiding a decisive defeat. We _ passed days of the keenest anxiety. I was of opinion that we ought to fall further back in order to gain time until our men got breath before we attempted to bar the road. The enemy was superior in effectives and material. General Jpffre first proposed to fight at the Marne. Finally came von Kluck's extraordinary manoeuvre, moving obliquely southwards. He was doing this when he learned that the British army was still firm and that the Sixth French Army had been formed to protect Paris. Von Kluck's flank was thus menaced, and before General Manoury crossed the Ourcq the enemy began a precipitate retreat. Von Kluck saved his army, but I was astonished that he did not continue straight forward in an attempt to force a passage. The British rapidly advanced and pressed back the enemy 30 miles in four days. Unfortunately my brave men numbered only 67,000."

Viscount French added: " During 1915 I continually made representations for guns and munitions. Lord Kitchener's experts on one occasion said that this programme would take eight years to manufacture. Fortunately Mr Lloyd George accomplished the task,, to his eternal honour."

ARTDXERY BUSY. NO infantry' engagements. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and RputfTT. LONDON, September 8. _ (Received Sept. 9, at 11.20 p.m.) Sir Douglas Haig reports enemy artillery activity, but no infantry actions.

GERMAN CLAIMS.

FRENCH LOSSES HEAVY.

Admiralty, per Wireless Press. LONDON, September 8. (Received Sept. 9, at 11.5 p.m.) A German official message says: A French attack between Samogneux and the Beaumont-Vaucherville road, on a front covering 20 miles, was repulsed with heavy losses. The French fighting developed this morning. (Received Sept. 9, at 11.20 p.m.) A German official states that a French attack north-east of Bezonvaux failed, but the enemy gained ground in Chaulnes Wood. The fighting continues. ATTACK BY FRENCH. COMPLETELY SUCCESSFUL. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter. LONDON, September & (Received Sept. 10, at 1.5 a.m.) A French communique says: "On the right bank of the Meuse we attacked the dnemy lines this morning on a front covering 2| kilometres in the sector comprising the Fosses and Caurieres Woods. We achieved a complete success, despite a desperate resistance. We extended our positions north of Fosses, and carried the whole of Chauline Wood and a line west, dominating the whole of Caurieres Wood."