WESTERN ATTACK.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 November 1917, Page 5

WESTERN ATTACK.

BITTER FIGHTING. ABOMINABLE WEATHER. London, Nov. 28. A correspondent at headquarters, writ-, ing on Tuesday, says: There lias been the bitterest fighting near Fontaine since morning, covered by a heavy bombardment, which was maintained the whole forenoon_ Tiie British fought their way right through the village in face of the heaviest rifle and machine-gun fire, sending back over iiOO prisoners captured in the fortified houses and strong points. The Germans, later in the morning, counter-attacked with two new divisions. Under the weight of overwhelming numbers we slowly relinquished our footing in Fonfame. It is not clear whether we retain any portion of the ruins. It is now certain that the Germans Iwive reorganised their defences with, fresh troops. Wo still bold the high ground and have a great tactical advantage, although the enemy's stiffer resistance means desperate fighting. The weather remains abominable. The United Press correspondent at British headquarters says that, following a futile attack against the British position at Tadpole Copse, southward of Inehy, the enemy nil night shelled the Bourlon Wood, Anneaux, Graincourt, and Demicourt, but the position was little changed. Some iwsts have been established north-west of Bullecourt. in the Tlindenburg advance line. Our line is apparently westward of Fontaine, but the Bourlon Wood is secure.

Sir Douglas Haig reports: There was hostile artillery activity last niglit in the neighborhood of Bpurlon Wood and further infantry aetion. There was hostile artillery activity eastward and north-eastward of Ypres.

Mr. Gibbs says the weather has turned n'lominablv cold, and men and animals are suffering from exposure to the savage cutting wind over the wide, stretch of shelterless country. The army has moved forward 'beyond standing habitation and ordinary comforts have been left behind. There is a whole stretch of the Somem battlefield where the villages are rubbish heaps. Only graveyards and signboards indicate the positions of Pozieres, Comhles, and Guillcmont, otherwise they are a wild waste of desolation, haunted by hidden horrors.

THE POSITION REVIEWED. CAMBRAI BATTLE A GREAT SUCCESS. ITALIANS MAKE GOOD. Renter Service. Received Nov. 2fl, 8.40 p.m. London, Nov. 2*. A high British military authority, reviewing the position, says the figlit at Cambrai was a successful experiment. The enemy was forced to employ fifty per cent, more divisions that we. Hence we are entitled to class the battle as a great success. A word of caution is necessary about the loose talk regarding breaking through and the loss of Cambrai. There were no definite objectives in this move. We intended to go as far as possible, and established ourselves a good deal further than Sir Douglas Haig expected. Wo did not employ large masses. Hence there is no justification for loose talk about credit for hastening the Italian crisis, this being now definitely passed. It was duo solely to the Italian Army, which checked the enemy before the arrival of Allied assistance.

Referring to Palestine, he says probably Jerusalem will not fall without anothre battle, for which we have to get the army together, and bring up fresh troops, guns and supplies. WHY GERMANY WENT TO ITALY. NO REINFORCEMENTS AVAILABLE. Received Nov. 29, 10.10 p.m. London, Nov. 28.

The high military authority adds that the Germans went to Italy because Austria was shaky, and wanted help, and not to make a great attack. If they had intended to make a great attack they would have brought more troops to exploit their success. There was no sign of great German reinforcements, because she was clearly unable to send them. THE HINDENBURG TUNNEL. AN ELABORATE SCHEME. Received Nov. 29, 10 p.m. Paris, Nov. 28. The capture of the Hindenburg tunnel is now practically complete. Investigations show it was thirteen miles in length, with a depth of forty feet. Mines were sown throughout the length, which were arranged to explode by means of switches. Fortunately British electricians discovered and cut the wires. Vast stores of food and tobacco have already been discovered. The dug-outs were luxuriously furnished, the whole being electrically lighted and fitted with exits every twenty-five yards. Received Nov. 29, 10 p.m. London, Nov. 29. Sir Douglas Haig reports: There is nothing special to report from the CiimDrai battlefront. We repulsed two l raids in the vicinity of Avion. Enemy artillery is active on the Ypres front. A French communique states that there are artillery actions in the various sectors. HEAVY GERMAN LOSSES. London, Nov. 23. A French communique confirms diat the French attack on the 21st, south of Juvincourt, cost the enemy very severe losses. A GERMAN REPORT. London, Nov. 28. Wireless German official: English tanks and infantry attacking westward of Horn-lon collapsed. We temporarily lost; Tiourlon anil Fontaine, but reciiptured the villa?™ and threw the enemy back into Ronrlon Wood-