THE WESTERN THEATRE.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14657, 11 March 1918, Page 5

THE WESTERN THEATRE.

GERMAN ATTACK AT HOUTHULST FOREST.

SOME ADVANCED POSTS DRIVEN

BACK

SUCCESSFUL COUNTER-ATTACK

POSITIONS RE-ESTABLISHED

BRITISH LOSSES' SLIGHT,

(Australian ST id N.Z. Cable Association) and Reuter.*

(Received March 10, 5.5 p.m.) London, Marct 9. Sir Douglas Haig reports: The enemy's artillery is active in the Scarpe Valley and at Ribeeourt.

There is much reciprocal artillery activity between the Menin road ank Houthulst Forest.

Despite haze, we dropped three and a half tons of bombs on various targets including a ton on an aerodrome at St. Quentin.

Our night-fliers dropped five tons of "bombs on laihvay stations at Cambrai and Buaigny, and on billets andMjatteries.

Before dawn the enemy delivered a strong local attack on a mile front Bouth of Houthulst Forest. Th© attack mostly broke down under our fire.

On our left, however, the attack waß most determined, and was supported by flame-throwers. It compelled some of our advanced posts to fall back a short distance on a 500 yards front after severe fighting. , ; :

The Yorkshire Regiment, counter-at-tacked later with complete success, driving the enemy back 800 yards beyond our former line, inflicting heavy losses, and re-establishing the position. Our casualties were light. Sussex troops successfully raided eastward of Laventie, taking prisoners. The enemy artillery is active at Flesquieres, Givenchy, Neuve Chapelle, Armentieres and Ypres.

Sir Douglas Haig congratulated the first brigade of "the Royal Flying Corps on its splendid success in bringing down eighteen aeroplanes in one day.

A French communique says ther© is fairly great enemy artillery activity at La Pompello and in the region of Avo-

court.

A strong enemy raid at Moncel was was repulsed with serious losses. -