ADVANCE IN BELGIUM

Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13890, 16 October 1918, Page 5

ADVANCE IN BELGIUM

MANY VILLAGES LIBERATED. GREAT CAPTURES OF MEN AND MATERIAL. (Australian, N.Z. and Reuter.) Received October 10, 9.23 a.m. LONDON, Oct. 15, 4.20 a.m. A Belgian communique states that at 5.30 yesterday morning the Belgian troops, closely co-operating with the French, attacked on a front of 12 miles between Handzaeme Canal and the Roulers-.Menin road, and breaking the enemy resistance, made considerable progress on the whole front, liberating the villages of Handzaeme. Cortemarck, Gits, St. Joseph, Hoogledc, Beveren, Rumbeke, Beythem, Auckene and Winkel St. Eloi. Towards midday the French carried the town of Roulers by assault. Further east the Belgians, in the course of lighting, advanced over six miles, carrying Iseghem, and reached the outskirts of Lendelede, freeing numerous civilians. The advance varies from two and a-balf to six miles.

The Allied airmen performed most useful work. Already 6000 prisoners have been counted, half being captured by the Belgians. Six complete batteries were captured, also uncounted guns and considerable booty. The enemy started fires at Roulers. Cortemarck, Hooglede, and Gits, and caused a number of explosions in Roulers.

RAPID ALLIED ADVANCE. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received October IG, 9.40 a.m. NEW YORK. October 15. The Allies are rapidly advancing north-east of Roulers, where the Germans are retiring Received October 10, 10.30 n.m LONDON, October 15. German official: The enemy attacked on a wide front between Dixnnide and the Lys, but we stemmed th»' thrust. A LACKING OF SHELLFIRE. ENEMY ANTICIPATE AN ARMISTICE. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received October If;, 11.40 a.m. LONDON. October 15. Mr Philip Gibbs writes: —After the first bombardment there was astonishingly little shelltire in to-day's Flanders battle, the quietude being strikingly contrasted with the tumult of gunfire during the battles thereabouts in 1917. The returning wounded all brought the same tale, viz., that the enemy put up a fight with machine-guns and then surrendered. The chief characteristic of the fighting was the strength with which the enemy held the front line. Some fought with extreme courage, rushing out machine-guns through our barrage and getting our men in the open. Elsewhere they put up a poor resistance. One of their officers remarked : "What can you expect when an armistice is probable in two or three days." ADVANCE OF SEVEN MILES. 10,000 PRISONERS CAPTURED. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received October 16, 11.55 a.m. NEW YORK, October 15. The Allies in Flanders have gained seven miles and taken 10,000 prisoners. ALLIES CAPTURE THOUROUT. Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received October 16, 12.30 p.m. NEW YORK, Oct. 15. The Allies have captured Thourout.

BRITISH CAPTURE MENIN. ENEMY RESISTANCE STIFFENING. (Australian anr" N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received October 16, i.35 p.m. LONDON. October 15. The British have captured Menin. The United Press correspondent states that prisoners captured in Belgium exceed 10.000, with 100 guns. The enemy resistance is stiffening.