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Taranaki Daily News, 11 June 1917, Page 4

WIPING OUT THE Y'PEES SALIENT. The magnificent achievement of Siv Douglas Haig's force's at Ypres eomes at a time when its effect will be all tho more impressive, by reason of its demonstrating the superiority of the British forces over the Gorman. If any answer were required to the idle, vainglorious boasts of the German War Lords that the British offensive was at an end, this glorious victory would serve the purpose, for not only have the British wiped out the Ypres, or Wytschaete, salient, but they have advanced and, in spite of determined counter-attacks of the enemy, securely hold their gains. The Wytschaete salient, extending from Mestines to Hollebeke, wfts the result of the terrific German assaults on the British front during the first battle of Ypres, when the cavalry corps held on for days against two German corps, until the arrival of reinforcements relieved the pressure. The enemy had failed to capture Ypres by direct assault, and endeavored to break through to the south. It was in that struggle that Allenby made a great name for his cavalry and for himself. He held the Germans back, but was forced to give them possession of the low ridges to the south of Ypres, ■whence they could shell the city and the whole of the now pronounced British salient. Sooner or later the British were bound to mass forces for an effort to flatten the German salient, but hitherto more necessary, or moro comprehensive, operations have beon engaging the attention of the High Command, and the enemy was, for thirty-two months, left in possession of his advanced positions, until last week. For the last twelve months, however, preparations have been made for the great work which culminated in the mighty explosions and intense bombardment, the graphic descriptions ot which have appeared in recent cables, and in which the New Zealanders have once again covered their feats in the field with immortal fape. When it 1» realised that this salient was the strongest position in all the lengthy German line, fortified to the utmost, and defended by masses of the enemy's bravest troops, the victory will appear all the greater, and the credit all the higher. The crushing blow was timed with mathematical accuracy, and it fell with a force which must convince the enemy of Britain's determination to win through. Every arm of the service was engaged, and to each the cominander-in-chief gives credit. Following as it does the succession of victories on other parts of the West front, the victory stands forth as eloquent testimony of tho might and power of the Imperial armies. The onslaught was made 011 tho very heart [of the great German hinge from which the enemy looked forward to menacing Britain itself. No one except those present can realise the awesome roar of that immense explosion, which is typical of the gathered strength whereby the Allies intend to press on to final victory.