SEVERAL COUNTER-ATTACKS.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14545, 25 October 1917, Page 5

SEVERAL COUNTER-ATTACKS.

ALL COMPLETELY REPULSED

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association

and Reuter.)

(Received Oct. 25/ 0.15 a.m.) London, Oct. 24

Sir Douglas Haig reports: Besides the attack reported in this marning's communique, the' enemy delivered two other counter-attacks last evening. In one case they attempted to advance along tho line west of the RoosbekePoelcapelle road, but when 300 yards from our new positions they were engaged by our infantry rifle asid machine gun fire and beaten off with loss. Survivors endeavouring to withdraw were caugH in the artillery barrage and again suffered heavily.

The second attack, in considerable! strength, was made immediately I northward of the Ypres-Staden railway. It was also met by rifle and) machine gun fire and driven off. Early this morning another attack on our positions at Eouthulst Forest, northeast of Veldhoek, was completely repulsed, leaving prisoners in our hands. ' A less powerful attempt against a fortified farm captured yesterday southeast of Poelcapelle was equally unsuccessful. ' There was reciprocal artillery activ- j ity to-day, despite unfavourable weafcter. Flying yesterday was almost: prevented by the weather until the' afternoou. Our aeroplanes, despite rain and bad visibility, co-operated with the infantry's attack, continuously reporting progress and assist- \ ing with machine guns. Tl:o enemy have dropped many bombs in the last few nights on our forward areas. Their machines last-^ nieht were not nearly so active except in the neighbourhood of Dunkirk. j Ours vigorously attacked seven aerodromes, and bombs fell near hangar.^ and aeroplanes on tho ground. The railway station at Courtrai was later attacked, arid a. train, hit. The rear portion burst into flames'.

There was a little air .fighting, two : enemy machines being, brouglrt down. Two of ours collided >over the enemy's lines. One other' is missing.