THE WESTERN FRONT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3334, 6 February 1918, Page 15

THE WESTERN FRONT.

FIELD-MARSHAL HAIG'S REPORTS. Sir Douglas Haig's reports for the week are to the 'following effect: —The enemy raided an advanced poet north-east of Langemarck. Hostile artillery was active south-west of Cambrai, northward of Lens, northward of Passchendaele, An the neighbourhood of Havrincourt, ahd north-east-ward of Ypres; also in tho Monchy Io Preux sector, and at Arras and Ypres. There were successful patrol encounters north-east of Havrincourt and Bullecourt. The enemy bombed our forward areas on the 30th, and we attacked their billets and lines of communication. Our patrols secured prisoners in various sectors. There was hostile artillery activity south of the Arras-Oambrai road. The enemy raided a post in the neighboudhood of the YpresStaden railway, but wo defeated the attempt. The Liverpools raided south-east of Armentieres. A hostile raid north of Passchendaele was repulsed. Hostile artillery is active in the Epehy and Ypres regions. We repulsed a "raid at Poelcapelle, and successfully raided enemy lines southward of Lens. There is_ hostile artillery activity at La Vacquerie, southward of Lens. We drove off raiders with loss east of Polygon Wood. Hostile artillery is active south-east of Epehy, in the neighbourhood of the Arras-Cambrai road, and south of the Armentieres-Ypres sector. FRENCH REPORTS. French communiques state: There is fairly great reciprocal artillery activity in the Zette region, on the Caurieres Wood front, and in the Woevre region. We made several successful raids in the region of Nieuport and north-west of Reims. There is marked reciprocal artillery activity north of the Aisne. Attempted enemy coups de main south of Lombardzyde, north of Hill 344, north of Burcs (Lorraine), and the Rhone to Rhine Canal region (Alsace) failed. / AMERICANS IN THE TRENCHES. From the American army in France it ii offioia.lly reported that the Germans raided the American trenches, killing two, wounding four, and taking ono prisoner. Americans will permanentlv occupy a distinct sector on the west front. American Headquarters announces that the American? aro located in Lorraine. THE GERMAN STRENGTH. The United Press correspondent at tho is officially reported that the Germans strength on tho west front is 180 to 190 divisions, comprising 115 in the trenches and the balance in reserve. These forces are ready for a German offensive. The, armistice with Russia 'has enabled the Germans to increase their forces on the west front from 115 divisions to the number above. Germany now has 60 divisions on the Russian front, consisting mainly of worn-out and decimated units. DESIGNS ON BELGIUM. Herr Haase, in the Reichstag, revealed the fact that Herr Michaelis, when Chancellor, sent a memorandum. to Austria stating that only when Britain was beaten on the seas would a free way be opened in the south-east. Germany required territory for trade and for colonies. She must secure the Longwy and Briey areas. Admiral von Tirpitz, in a newspaper interview, stated that Germany requires the military occupation of Belgium because of the submarine bases there, to prevent Britain and America renewing their attacks. The world in future will be divided between Continental Europe in one camp and Britain and America in the opposing camp. He added: "Wo must force Britain to give us what we need. We can hold out longer than Britain and her friends."