IMPORTANT MOVEMENT IN FLANDERS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 17125, 29 October 1917, Page 5

IMPORTANT MOVEMENT IN FLANDERS.

VALUABLE PROGRESS IN FACE

OF DIFFICULTIES,

(Aus. & N.Z. Liable Assn. & renter >

Received October 28, 5.5 p.m

LONDON, October 27

Sir Douglas Haig reports: Operations with, limited objectives were jointly undertaken. A fine day on Thursday, with a fine drying wind, promised improved Tizhil.ng (couditior.s, but a sudden change '■ came during the night, and heavy, almost incessant, rain has fallen since an early hour in the morning. Notwithstanding the sreat difficulties facing the Allied troops, they made considerable progress and won valuable points on the greater part of the front attacked.

The main operation was carried out by English and Canadian regiments on a front northward of the YpresRoulers railway. The Canadian battalions advanced along the main ridge at Passchendaele, and, passing beyond their objectives, established themselves on rising ground southward of the •village. Other Canadian battalions, with troops from the English naval brigade and battalions of London territorials, made further progress in the face of strong opposition along the spurs between the main ridges of our positions eastwards of Poelcapelle and captured a nunjber of strong points and fortified farms. Heavy fighting occurred esst and north-east of Poelcapelle, wherein the West Lancashire and [north country troops progressed at certain points.

Subsidiary simultaneous attacks were made by the English troops in the neighbourhood of the Menin road, and by the French northward of Bixsehoote.

There was fierce fighting all day astride the Menin road and eastward of Polderhoek, wherein progress vas made. A considerable^umber were prisonered.

.Northward of Bixschoote the French, attacking with great gallantry, crossed the Saint Jeansbeck, which was flooded, and captured objectives beyond, with a number of prisoners. ~ v-

The Allies, in the course of these operations, prisonered 800.

The Canadians successfully repulsed counter-attacks yesterday afternoon southward and westward of Passchendaele and prisonered a number.

We consolidated our gains without interference and made further progress westward of Passchendae-'e, capturing eighteen machine-guns.