THE WEST FRONT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17191, 19 December 1917, Page 5

THE WEST FRONT

NOTHING TO REPORT.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association LONDON, December 17. Sir Douglas Haig announced last night that there was nothing to report.

HTNDENBFRG'S THREATENED ONSLAUGHT.

BRITISH AND FRENCfe READY,

LONDON, December 17.

Mr Murdoch, writing from headquarters, says that the British front is stiffening for any possible onslaught. The enemyare daily increasing their concentrations, but the British face these with the utmost confidence. The enemy boast that they are preparing for a decisive drive, but wo have enormous masses of artillery and have every reason for faith in the sticking powers of our soldiers. There may be some surprises in store for the Boche. It must also be remembered that the great French army has been little used in 1917, and stands fresh and eager for battle. Everybody is ready and willing to accept von Hindenburs's challenge. Whenever there is a favourable wind automatically controlled balloons float over our lines, dropping pamphlets and newspapers containing intimidating propaganda.

GERMAN REPORT. Admiralty, per Wireless Press. LONDON, December 17. ■A German official message states that the British attacks south of Monte Fontaine broke down. RAIDING PARTIES REPULSED. HEAVY FALL, OF SNOW. Auitralian and N.Z. Cable Association and Rputcr LONDON, December 18. (Received Dec. 19, at 0.35 a.m.) Sir Douglas Haig reports: Raiding parties attacked two posts in the neighbourhood of the Ypres-Comines Canal. We repulsed one attack: in tho other the enemy entered a post and captured a few men. We counter-attacked, recaptured the post and men, killing or making prisoner a number of the enemy. There is mutual artillery work on the s remainder of the front. Heavy snow fell last . night and continued to-day.

Advice has been received from Sir James Allen that Sergeant Reginald James Kilroy has been awarded the Military Medal for gallantry on the field.