THE WESTERN THEATRE.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15870, 9 April 1917, Page 7

THE WESTERN THEATRE.

BRITISH CAPTURE LEMBERE. -ENEMY'S SBVEBE LOSSES, IMPORTANT AVIATION RAIDS. (By Cable—Preaa Association—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cablo AjjQppiation.) CBeuter'o Telegrama.) (Received April Bth, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 6. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "We carried the village of Lempire, northward of St. Quentih. "We made further progress northeast of Norquil. "The enemy's severe losses during the past week between St. Qucntin and Arras are evidenced by the large numbers of dead in many localities. 'Our aeroplanes have been engaged fal long raiding expeditions and have bombed important railway junctions, munition depots, and aerodromes." NEAR ST. QtJENTIN. VIOLENT ARTILLERY ACTION". ■ (Received April Bth, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 7. A French communiquo states:— "Thero has been violent artillerying in the Aollon and Grugies region. Wo Wade further progress north of Laudricourt. : "There is great mutual artillerying north-west of Berryaubac, and much "erial activity. "Tho German bombardment . of Wleim s killed ten civilians." Advance north ofrheims artillery engagements. (Received April Bth, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 6. A French communiquo states: "Between tho Somme and tho Oise and north of Soissons artillery engagements have occurred at the different points, but there has been no infantry action. "North-west of Rheims we continued

our advance by bombing west of Sapigneul. Tbe enemy violently bombarded Rheims." ALLIES* AIR LOSSES. DISQUIETING GERMAN CLAIM. (Re<3oived April Bth, 6.5 p.m.) LONDON. April 7. A winaless German official message states: ,!< We repulsed a French attempt to recapture lost trenches near Sapigneul, and attacks at Malancourt Wood. "In si strong aerial rcconnaissanco tho enemy suffered severely, losing yesterday forty-four machines. Five of ours ai« missing." ANOTHER ENEMY CLAIM. lAdmiralty per Wireloßß Preea. LONDON, April 6. A G prman official report states: — "Four British aeroplanes which reached Thou I were chased, and all were «destroyed. Apart from this, tho enemy lost eight machines. Three of ours ajo missing. GERMAN ATTACK FAILS. SUCCESSFUL FRENCH COUNTER. The High Commissioner reports:— LONDON. April 6. A French night official report states: — "Li Western Argonne the enemy attackoi with liquid flames, but were ropulscid by our barrage of firo, leaving dead and prisoners between our lines. "North-westwards of Rheims the German attack previously mentioned was made by numerous troops specially brou.&ht for the assault to drive us out of utie left bank of the Aisne Canal, but it completely failed. "On a front of 2500 metres on the right bank of the Meuse and at Hill 304 the enemy suffered heavy losses. An afternoon communique states: — ""North-west of Rheims our counterattacks and grenade £re enabled us to progress,; reoccupying new elements of trenches." LIVELY ARTELLEBY LONDON, April 6. A French communique states:— "There was fairly lively artillery nctivity during the night between the >'somme and the Oise. "German counter-attacks north of La Folie Farm failed. "We considerably progressed eouth of the Oise and north of Landricourt. "We progressed V means of grenades and rooccupied fresh positions in a trench north-west of Rheims." THE NEW ZEALANDERS. HOW AIT ENEMY RAID WAS EXPELLED. MANY MILITARY MEDALS A3VARDED. THE DIVISION IN SPLENDID FORM. WEI22NGTOH, April 8. The following special message has been received from the New Zealand official war correspondent, under date April 2nd:— The New Zealanders bare not been I engaged in serious fighting for many weeks, but here have been xaids and oormtei'-raids, and much valuable work and training have been done. Recently a New Zealand battalion distinguished itself by repelling a German raid. Early in the morning the enemy started a heavy bombardment and then ninety Germans advanced across No Man's Land toward our trenches. The New Zealanders displayed the greatest gallantry, endurance, and devotion in sticking to their posts under this severe bombardment, with the resnlt that only six Germans were able to reach our trenches. Of these one was severely wounded and taken prisoner, enabling us to identify the raiding regiment. He subsequently died.

The Lewis and machine-gunners fought gallantly. Private Leonard Rosa Dickinson, who heroically stuck to his gnn throughout the .bombardment, even when all his comrades were out of action, until his magazines ran oat, has been awarded the, Military Medal. He showed utter disregard of danger.

In connexion with the same raid Military Medals have been awarded to William Elliott Gordon, who first sighted the advanoing enemy and turned his Lewis gun on to them with excellent results; to Private Frederick Andrew, who displayed great gallantry in keeping his machine-gun in action throughout; and to John Thomas Clearwater, who on a night post encountered the enemy and showed utter contempt of danger in driving them back. Medals have also been awarded to Sergeant Adrian John Mason, who saved the lives of three wounded men, carrying them out of danger one by one under heavy fire; to Corporal John McQuillan, who distinguished himself in repelling some raiders; and to Sergeant Walter James Murray for similar work. The weather is still wintry, with snow lying on tho ground. Apart from some cases of mumps there is little sickness, and the division as a whole , is in splendid form. Our football team j has an unbeaten record, and .the New Zealand Pierrot troupe njghtly draws large audiences. A horse show will be held this month. FOOTBALL AND "WAR. ' NEW ZEALANDERS v. FRENCH. GREAT FRANCO-BRITISH DEMONSTRATION. (Australian and Cable Association.) PARIS, April 6. Much, interest is being taken in the match between tho French Army team and New Zealand soldier footballers, to bo played on Sunday. The New Zealanders includo Murray, Taylor, A. Wilson, C. Brown, King, and W. Wiison. , -Mr Massey hopes to attend _ tho match, at which tho French Minister of War, M. Paimlevc, and other Ministers will bo present. It is expected that thero will bo 100,000 spectators present, constituting a, great Franco-British demonstration. HUM METHODS. ORDERS FOUND ON PRISONERS. (Auatralian and N.Z. Cablo Association.) (Received April Bth, 11.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 7. Several, orders were found on prisoners captured during the Bapaunie retreat ordering them to blow up houses, collars, and churches ,and pollute wells with creosote and dung.

BOMBARDMENT OF RHEIMS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Beater's Telegrams.) (Received April 9th, 1.40 a.m.) LONDON, April 8. A French official message states:— "There has been much lively artillery action. The Germans yesterday and last night threw many thousand shells into Rheims. Fifteen civilians were killed and many wounded.