WESTERN THEATRE

Southland Times, Issue 17777, 1 October 1917, Page 5

WESTERN THEATRE

COUNTER-ATTACKS CEASE. BREATHING SPELL ON BRITISH FRONT AIRMEN CARRY ON. (Australian A N.Z. Cable Assn. A Reuter.) LONDON, September 29. Received September 30, 5.5 p.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports: There have been no further counter-attacks, and infantry encounters have been confined to patrols. A strong enemy party, attempting to approach our lines eariy in the morning eastward of Polygon Wood, was caught by our artillery, rifle, and machine-gun fire. Many were killed, and the survivors were captured. Our airmen yesterday bombed aerodromes at Caurieres, St. Denis, Wcstrem, and Gontrode with good results. Ten German machines were brought down, and one of ours is missing. GERMAN RAID REPULSED GREAT AERIAL ACTIVITY LONDON, September 30. Received September 30, 11.5 p.m. Sir D. Haig reports: —We repulsed an attempted raid at two points on Hill 70, northward of Lens, and captured a few Germans. We also took a few prisoners in patrol encounters in the neighbourhood of the Bapaume-Cambrai road. Our artillery has been active on the Ypres front, and there has been considerable hostile artillery activity at points between the Yprea-Co mines canal and St. Julien. Our aeroplanes dropped four tons of bombs on aerodromes at Gontrode-Caurieros, and on dumps, billets, and railways. Another six tons were dropped dozing the night on similar targets, including Gontrode aerodrome. Despite the heavy barrage all our machines returned safely. During the raids our flyers used machine guns with good effect against troops and transports. We brought down fourteen enemy aeroplanes and three of ours are missing. ENEMY FORCED TO WITHDRAW. BRITISH SECURE DOMINATING POSITIONS. CIVILIANS LEAVING ROULERS. PARIS, September 30. Received October 1, 12.30 a.m. Le Petit Journal’s correspondent on the British front says that the enemy is withdrawing his heavy guns opposite Inverness Copse and Glencorse Wood. The British will soon dominate the long stretch of country eastward of Becelaere. Only one remaining ridge enables the enemy to assemble troops without direct observation. It is believed that the new German line runs from Blankenbergh and Zeebrugge. Civilians have left Hoglede, Moorslede and Dadizeele, and are leaving Roulers. GERMAN REPORT. LONDON, September 29. Received September 30, 5.5 p.m. Wireless German official: We repulsed attacks north-east of the Frezenberg-Menin road. The enemy still occupies the crater positions in our front line on the YprosPasschendaele road. LONDON, September 30. Received September 30, 11.5 p.m. Wireless German official;—We repulsed British local attacks at Zonnebeke, and we drove the enemy out of the crater line on the Ypres-Paaschendaele road.