THE ANGLO-FRENCH FRONT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3274, 13 December 1916, Page 17

THE ANGLO-FRENCH FRONT.

Sill DOUGLAS HAIG'S REPORTS. Sir Douglas iiaig's reports during the past week tell or heavy mutual artillery bom-bardjmc-nts, air raid's, raids on trenches, and tho repulsing of enemy attacks, while inflicting losses. The British heavily bombarded Mouchy between the Ancro and Arras, the l.oos-Ypres region, in the neighbourhood of Ncuvillc43t. v'aast and Souchez, and eastwards of Arras. The enemy bombarded Gueiukcourt south-cast of Loos, tho neighbourhaad of Eancourt I/Abboye, Moquet Farm, the Thiepval Ridge, and Gucadecourt, the British retaliating and raiding trenches in various localities. British airmen bombed railway junctions and military works near Brussels. A British naval air squadron had many combats, and brought down four machines out of control and destroyed two. One British air machine is missing. In retaliation for tho enemy shelling, areas behind tho front _ north of Ancre, we bombarded heavily various points behind their lines, dispersing hostile, parties. There is much reciprocal trench mortar and artillery work in the Ypres salient, on the Loos and Hulluch sections. FRENCH OFFICIAL REPORTS. Official French reports during tho week state:—-Enemy surprise attacks at Barleux (south of tho Somme) and the south-east of Metzeral, in Alsace, tailed. There was marked reciprocal artillery work north of the Somme and in tho Vaux-Douaumont sector. Second Lieutenant Mugcisser brought down two German aeroplanes, making his total 20. French machine guns completely checked a smail attack north of Vaux. There was reciprocal artillery work in tho neighbourhood of ■ Boucha'besnes, in the Champagne. Our artillery dispersed an enemy detachment north-east of Fouxinundornios, on tho left bank of tho Mouse. An onc-my attack on the elopes of Hill 304, owing to our machine guns, only gained a footing in some advanced elements and trenches. In a coup do main cast of Metzeral (Alsace-), tho French took some prisoners. Tho French drove the enemy out of portion of the trenches they occupied on the eastern ekopes of Hi!l 304, on the left bank of the Meuse. On the Bouchavcsnes, in front of Biaches, there was fairly lively artillery activity. A sharp counter-attack ejected tho enemy from elements at Apremont Forest, which they had temporarily occupied. There was a successful coup do main on a Germ an salient in tho Champagne. Trenches were entered, mine galleries destroyed, and prisoners brought back. There is an artillery duel on tho left side of the Mouso. French aeroplanes heavily bombarded tho railway stations and military establishments at Martigny, Stanmonsen, and Chunssee. A Paris communique states: South-east of Butte lo Mesnil, we exploded mines, and vainly attempted to take possession of the craters. BAD WEATHER. Mr Philip Gibbs states: "While this moist fog overhangs tho west front the men look like ghosts. They are having a hard time, being without comfort or shelter or rest, and enduring tho cold and foul conditions following tho November rains. It is a sheer fight for lifo against natural hardships. The inhumanity of tho weather seemed more important to them than to fight tho enemy. The Canadians had a hideous adventure at Courcelette, the men bringing up supplies falling into ice-cold water. In the recent fighting they carried on unbeaten, despite their surrounding* being a morass of misery.

CHANGES IN HIGH COMMANDS. After a secret session the Chamber of Deputies carried a motion of conficienco in M. Brianel by 244 to 60.

It was resolved that the Chamber, taking noto of tho Government's declaration as to tho reorganisation of tho High Command, approve of t!io resolution to concentrate upon the general conduct of tho war, being confident that the Government will make any sacrifices and us-o all efforts necessary to gain the victory.

The newspapers prophesy that.M. Briand will follow Mr Lloyd George's action and overhaul the French Government machine. A group of deputies submitted a resolution in tho Chamber in favour of a drastic reduclion of the Cabinet and tho formation of a small National Defence Cabinet, to consist of the Foreign, Finance, War, Marine, and Interior Ministers, with separate organisation of other departments. Tho Now York Times publishes a Paris story stating that General Joffro may bo from hi,* position of Generalissimo of the French armies.

Le Matin announce* a modification of tho High Command of tho French army. Henceforth tho Government will assume tho direction of the war, with two agents' for tho execution of their genera] strategy. Tho Generalissimo on the French front and tho Commander-in-Chief in Macedonia will alsobe new men, whose talents ensure them theso high positions. French telegrams indicate that tho criticism "f General Joffre is due to ho fact of his being vorn out by 23 inonl of inoecßii.Mt strain, and is showing innH.iv ty. The Cabinet Council and President Poinaare have already discussed the reorganisation of high oi/mmanda.

The Daily Telegraph publishes the report of a debate in the Drench Chamber of Deputies which has passed the Censor. it indicates the existence of a popular complaint that Franco is not sufficiently active. GERMAN REPORTS. A German official message claims the capture of the summit of Hill 504, west of the Meuse. A German communique claims to Have captured a number of Australians at Transloy. A GERMAN OFFENSIVE. Big movements of German troops in Belgium are believed to presage fresh activity. A well-known publicist warns the public to prepare to meet German efforts before tho spring, resulting from the mass levy.