BRILLIANT FRENCH WORK.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17132, 11 October 1917, Page 5

BRILLIANT FRENCH WORK.

CAPTURE OF HOUTHULST WOOD. Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association. LONDON, October 9. (Received Oct. 10, at 9.15 p.m.) The Daily Chronicle's Paris correspondent says: General Anthoine's army, cooperating with the British, pushed on and occupied half the ground between the lines secured on July 31 and Honthnlst Forest. To-day's plan was to swing the French right, thus semi-circling Houthulst Forest, which had become a formidable enemy fortress during the last three years. But our guns had greatly reduced the value of this low-lying woodlandj, and the Germans had already withdrawn the heavier guns hitherto secreted in the forest. However even the bare stumps of the former forest trees make' a dangerous nest for the machine guns. The forest ■covers an area of three miles by two. (Received Oct. 10, at 10.15 p.m.) In overcoming this obstacle General Anthoine's mastery of the newest gunnery science was a great asset. The French assault troops went " over the top" at 5.30 a.m. The country was still buried in fog and gloom. Preceded by an effective barrage, the troops quickly cleared out the centres of German resistance on the east bank of St. Jeansbeek and Broenbeek. Within two hours, 300 prisoners and a number of guns had been captured on a mile front. The French luckily caught an enemy division while relieving another. The former was just from the Russian front, and being new to the sector the Germans were in no condition to meet the dashing French onslaught. By 10 o'clock the French were before the ruins of the village of Mangekiere. The whole success was won with practically no loss of French lives. • A GERMAN CONFESSION. LOSS OF TERRITORY ADMITTED. » Admiralty, per Wireless Press. LONDON, October 9. (Received Oct. 10, at 9.15 p.m.) German official: A fresh battle has deircloped and continues between Draaibank and Gheluvelt. The gain of territory, despite repeated • assaults, is limited to a stretch between Draaibank and Poelcapelle. SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S REPORT. ALL OBJECTIVES GAINED. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Renter. LONDON, October 10. (Received Oct. 11, at 0.30 p.m.) Sir D. Haig reports: Continuous -heavy rain yesterday afternoon and evening made the ground sodden, and very difficult for the passage of troops. Notwithstanding the stormy weather, and the waterlogged ground, we launched an attack in con- j junction with the French, with very successful results. The attack extended from south-east of Broodseynde to St. Jeansbeek, a mile north-east of Bixschoote. The Australians, on the extreme right, advanced over the crest of the ridge eastward and north-east of Broodseynde, and secured all objectives. The third line of Territorial divisions in the right centre, comprising the Manchester, j East Lancashire, and Lancashire Fusilier Regiments, advanced a mile northward along the ridge towards Passchendaele, capturing all objectives under most trying and difficult circumstances with great determination and gallantry. Considerable advance was made in the centre between the main ridge and Poelcapelle. Included in the captures are many fortified farms and concreted redoubts. We captured in the left centre Poelcapelle. The English, Welsh, and Guards on the ■ extreme left of the British attack have taken all their objectives and gained the outskirts of the forest of Houthulst, two miles north-north-west of Poelcapelle. The French, on our left flank, crossed the Broenbeek Stream, which was in flood, and also gained the outskirts of the/forest of Houthulst, capturing all objectives, including several hamlets and many fortified localities. . . Upwards of 1000 prisoners have been already counted. FRENCH OFFICIAL REPORT. IMPORTANT POSITIONS CAPTURED LONDON, October 10. . (Received Oct 11, at 0.30 a.m.) A French communique says: Our attack, launched in the morning, developed brilliantly. The troops, after crossing the marshy brook of Broenbeek, carried with admirable dash, on a front of 2500 metres, the enemy's defences, despite the difficulties of the ground and the bad wea'ther. We captured the villages of St. Jean, Mangelaere, and Veldhoek, and , numerous farms organised as block-houses. The advance, which averaged a depth of two kilometres, brought us to the southern fringe of Houthulst Wood. The air service, despite a gale, co-operated actively in the attack, machine-gunning at a low altitude the enemy infantry and maintaining touch with the other arms. The number of prisoners hitherto counted is 300, of whom 12 are officers. Artillery actions continue on the Aisne front. .