THE WESTERN FRONT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3331, 16 January 1918, Page 15

THE WESTERN FRONT.

SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S REPORTS

Sir D. Haig reports for the week as follows:—We repulsed raids south-east of Ypres. The enemy on the Bth inst. entered two of our advanced posts northward of the Ypres-Staden railway, but our counter-attack ejected them. The Canadians carried out a successful raid southward of Lens. An enemy local attack, supported by flammenwerfer, gained a footing in trenches east of Bullecourt, but" a counter-attack restored tho line. London and Rifle regiments successfully raided at three points the trenches eouth-east of Ypres, inflicting many casualties and tak- . ing a iew prisoners. We successfully raided trenches to the east of Loos, and repulsed a raid south of Armentieres. We also dispersed working parties south-east of Monchy to Preux. We repulsed three raids south of Lens, and another attempted raid east of Monchy. FRENCH OFFICIAL REPORTS. A French communique states: In the region north of Seicheprez we successfully raided the enemy lines, penetrating on a front of 1500 metres, where shelters were destroyed, 'the troops returning with prisoners. GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORTS. German official messages state: We repulsed a British attack eastward of Bullecourt. The French attacked on a fourkilometre front westward of Flirey, and penetrated our line at some points;_ but our counter-attacks restored tho position. An enemy surprise attack south-eastward of Ypres broke down. GERMAN OFFENSIVE ANTICIPATED. Mr Philip Gibbs writes:—"Tho frost is breaking, and there are signs that a great th'aw has now begun, which will soon transfer Flanders into a quagmire. There are indications that January may pass without big battles, and, with fuck, February also. Probably in March we may look for the opening of the enemy's threatened offensive. Their preparations behind the lines include hospital accommodation for scores of, thousands of men. By the _ Ides of March (the 15th and seven following days) other counsels may prevail, for it is only on the last hazard that the enemy will order this new sacrifice of German manhood, and the German nation may refuse to countersign the order for that blood. "Our defensive lines are strong, and if they are subjected to massed attacks similar to those at Verdun we will exact a fearful price." Mr Baker, United Sta'tes Secretary, of War, in a communique, states that a gigantic German offensive on the LensCambrai sectors is impending, the delay being due to the concentration of their huge masses. The Allies have no fear, beoauso they recall that 'the British were victorious seven times in Flanders. It is alleged that divergencies have arisen as regards the effort Germany intends shortly to make on tho French front. A German officer who was taken prisoner declared that the internal situation in Germany compelled the High Command to risk a second Verdun and a disastrous peace by a maximum offensive effort on the west front in 1918. . > . . . M. Marcel Hutin. writing in the Echo do Paris, says: Von Woyrsch, who has just been created a field-marshal, will command tho German offensive, which will commence when tho weather permits. The Paris Journal's war correspondent estimates that 75,000 Germans from tho Russian front havo arrived on tho west front. A well-known neutral just from Berlin states that a great - offensive has-been decided upon, to be begun directly the weather conditions allow. Tho main blow will be aimed at Verdun, and secondary offensives against Calais and Italy. The Crown Prince and Ludendorff havo regained all their old influence. Ludendorff opines that 'the coming offensive will be successful. Other generals point out that tho last effort at_ "Verdun failed owing to the mud; this timo they will bo careful to choose a favourable season. Apart from the great army entrusted with tho offensive. 20 divisions will be held in reserve, to bo'used in the last extremity. '' As tho morale is poor," tho neutral adds, "although tho German machine is as powerful as ever, it is likely to collapse at tho first military failure; then tho masses of pacifists in tho army and civilians will bring tho responsible parties to account." THE CAMBRAI REVERSE. The Daily Express understands that no British generals or other officers havo been sent, homo consequent on the German counter-attack in the- Cambrai fighting. Tho facts wholly contradict tho rumours which have lately been growing fantastic. Nobody is likely to be retired, because, after tho Germans attacked a loosoly-held section of our line, they got it hot and strong. Wo killed and wounded more

Germans than in any previous day on the west front. We killed so many that some of our machine-gunners became physically sick of killing. Tho paper adds: "Recent changes at General Headquarters have no connection with tho Cambrai affair."

MUTINY OF GERMAN SOLDIERS.

The New York World's Petrograd correspondent interviewed deserting German officers, who confirm the story of the mutiny of 25,000 German soldiers, Tho mutineers continue to seize trains, arms, and food. They killed 300 regular troops in a pitched battle. The officers added that the troops considered the west front means certain death. Artillery is in constant readiness in Berlin to meet a proletariat rising.