SNOW IMPEDES ADVANCE.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15874, 13 April 1917, Page 7

SNOW IMPEDES ADVANCE.

BAD WEATHER AGAIN HELPS THE ENEMY. ARRAS DEFEAT CREATES CONSTERNATION IN GERMANY. FEARS THAT SERIOUS DISORDERS MAY BECOME GENERAL. EXTRAORDINARY PRECAUTIONS TAKEN AT HAfiffkUßG. REPORTS EROM RUSSIA MORE REASSURING. (3rd YEAR—256th DAY.)

THE WESTERN THEftTRF.

HEAVY SNOW IMPEDES OPERATIONS. COUNTER-ATTACKS BEATEN OFF. ENEMY SUFFERS HEAVY LOSSES. The High Commissioner reports :— LONDON, April 11 (11.25 p.m.). A British official report states: "Heavy and continuous snow has greatly impeded our operations. This morning two German counterattacks on our. new positions in tho neighbourhood of Monchy lo Preux wero beaten off. Prisoners state that they were ordered to hold the village at all costs. At Bodio our troops penetrated tho German positions in tho neighbourhood, of Bullecourt, and -were oounter-attack-ed by large enemy forces, which were forced back on their own lines. Our artillery inflicted heavy losses on the attackers. PRISONERS' ADMISSIONS. FIGHTING AT MONCHY LE PREUX. (Br Cable—Prces Asoociation—Copyright.) (Australian nnd >*.Z. Cable Association.) (Reuter'a Telegrams.) (Received April 12th, 7.10 p.m.) LONDON, Anril 11. Sir Douglas Haig reports:— '•A heavy fall of snow, which lasted throughout tho day, rendered observation impossible, and impeded our operations. , .. i , "Wo beat off two counter-attacks upon our new positions near Monchy lo Preux. "Prisoners taken at Monchy lo Frcux state that they were ordered to hold tho village at all costs. "Further south we penetrated the neighbourhood of Bullecourt. ''Large enemy forces counter-attack-ed, and forced us back on our own lines. Our artillery inflicted heavy losses upon the attacking troops." Sir Douglas Haig's message dealing with the same operations as that referred to in the High Commissioner s report w, in one respect, at variance with tho latter. The Commander-in-Chief's message states that, in the attack near Bullecourt the enemy's coun-ter-attack forced us back on our owij lines. The High Commissioner's report states that the enemy's troops were forced back on their own lines. The discrepancy is probably duo to the mutilation of one or other of the messages. TREMENDOUS POSSIBILITIES. INTERESTING TACTICAL SITUATION. DANGEROUS SALIENT CREATED. (Renter's Telegrams.) (Received April 12th, 7.10 p.m.) LONDON. April 11. Tho British Headquarters' correspondent states: "Tho splendid success of the offensive at Vimy has created a most interesting tactical situation fraught with tremendous possibilities. The enemy has been forced back on the pivot of his previous retreart in a manner creating a dangerously sharp salient." GER3IAN PRESS VIEW, DECISIVE OPERATIONS COMMENCED. (United. Service.) (Received April 12th, 7.10 p.m.) LONDON, April 11. The "Vossisehe Zeitung" describes the offensive as the commencement of decisive operations, and declares that the Germans rely on the strength of the uncompleted Drocouetquean or Modin line, which links up with the southern or "Siegfried" line, forming the Hindenburg line. The cable news in this "Etue accredited to "The Times" has appeared in that journal, but only where oxpreaaly Gtated is such news the editorial opinion of "Tho Timet.'

THE ENEMY DEMORALISED. BRIGADE CAPTURED WITHOUT A CASUALTY. ENEMY GENERAL'S TEARS OF SHAME. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, April 11. Tlio official correspondent at British. Headquarters tells of the comploto demoralisation of tho enemy. A single division took 24 guns, and another 26. Even a detachmcnt of cavalry, which took little part in the general operations, charged ono spot and took four heavy howitzers. The number of machine-guns and trench mortars captured is so numerous that no attempt lias yet been made to salve, much less to count, them. In addition to the 3200 prisoners taken by fcho Canadians, a neighbouring English and Scottish brigade took 20l'0 more. Among the Canadians' prisoners was a German general commanding a brigade, whose unit was taken almost without a casualty. Tho brigadier wept with shamo at the capture of himself and his staff without resistance, particularly as his unit had inflicted no casualties. THE VIMY FIGHT. thr.ee stages of conquest. PARIS, April 11. "Le Journal's" correspondent states that the Vimy Ridge battle began in the moonlight. It was fought in three stages. Tho slopes were captured within seven minutes, aud the fight for tho crest lasted an hour. Then the battle commenced for tho plateau, which was conqucrod in broad daylight. FORMIDABLE FORTIFICATIONS PRINCE RUPPRECHTS PLANS FOILED. PARIS, April 11. . 31. Marcel 13utin, referring to the Arras battle, says that the formidable nature of the fortifications, including extensive wire entanglements, armoured cupolas, machine-gun shelters, and guns of every calibre, manned by an extraordinary number of selected troops, indicates that it was Prince Rupprocht's determination to maintain his position at all costs. Over 100 battalion majors and commandants aro engaged in tho battle. Tho number of prisoners taken is equal in strength to an entire division. SITUATION DEVELOPING. FURTHER POSITIONS CAPTURED.

, The High Commissioner reports: — ' . LONDON, April 11 (12.40 p.m.). Sir Douglas Haig's report states^ — "The situation is developing favourably, according to the general plan. "The villager; and heights of Monchy-le-Preux and La Bergere were captured early this morning. "Satisfactory progress is being made on other parts of the battle front." ARRAS COMPLETELY RELIEVED. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, April 11. The capture of the village and heights of Monchy-le-Preux, and La Bergere to-day completely relieves Arras from German operations. THE CANADIANS' HAUL. WASHINGTON, April 11. Mr Simms, the United Press correspondent. states that the Canadians have taken 3600 prisoners and 23 guns. THE FRENCH FRONT. ARTILLERY ACTIVITY CONTINUES. (Australian and X.Z. Cable Association.) (Renter's Telegrams.) LONDON. April 11. A French communique states: — "There has been more artillery activity in the region of the Somme and the Oise. "Lively grenade fighting occurred during the night towards Maisons-de-Champagne, and a somewhat violent artillery duel took place at Bois-le-Petre." CONSTERNATION IN GERMANY BRITISH REPORTS SUPPRESSED. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) AMSTERDAM, April 11. Reports from Cologne snow that the Arras defeat has produced consternation throughout the Empire. The newspapers are not allowed to publish the British report of victory, and the public only have a German communique, concluding with the words "If Germanv has to evacuate France and Belgium, the occupied territories will be turned into a desert."

TORTURING THE "WOUNDED

BRUTALITY OF GERMAN NURSES

A BRANCH OF MILITARISM

("The Times.")

LONDON. April 11. A correspondent at Berne says that revelations of systematic brutality by the women of the German l»od Cross wards British wounded have been made bv scores of soldiers of all ranks who haVe been released from German prison camps. During the long journey through Germany, the common amusement of these women was to tempt tlie wounded, who were in the last extremity through hunger aud tlurst, by holding food and dnnk beforo them, then 6natching it away. • Many, when begging for » drink, had coffee-water 60up tendered them at tho last moment, and the "'gcutlo nurse spat into it frequently. 'I ho wounded men had to drink this denied stun, while the women laughed. Another common entertainment was to offer a glass of water, and then pour it slowly on to the yround. Cases of physical maltreatment of wounded men by German nurses are equally common. The nurses not only refused to attend to tho wants of the men. but regularly insulted and _ spat upon them, and even struck and kicked their bandaged limbs in order to increase their pain. The correspondent adds: —"The truth is that the German Red Cross is merely a branch, of militarism. It has prostituted the sacred sign, shamed its name, and forfeited its right to be regarded as an organisation of humanity."

THE GERMAN CLAIM

BRITISH ATTACKS REPULSED. LONDON, April 11. A German official communique states : "Wo heavily repulsed strong British forces on a wide front on both sides of the Arras-Cambrai road. "Fresh fighting has developed her© since tho morning and also between. Bulleeourt and Quarent. "The enemy are bombarding St. Quentin and Lafero. "Tho volume of grenade, shrapnel, and artillery fire is daily increasing in violence from Vailly to Rhoims. "A quick counter-thrust frustrated a French coup-de-main eastward of Berry-au-Bac." MONDAY'S GREAT BATTLE. THE WORE OF THE TANKS. STIFF FIGHTING ROUND ARRAS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) Received April 12th, 9.45 p.m.) LONDON, April 11. Mr Philip Gibbs, in a further account of "Monday's attack, emphasises that stiff fighting occurred at Blanzy, where the defences wcro exceptionally strong and the troops - old and experienced. Tho English regiments smashed their way through a perfect nest of formidable works with the assistance of tho j tanks, which knocked out the machineguns. The Scottish troops' attack on tho famous railway trianglo was held up for a time by machine-guns, where tho enemy's works were not yet destroyed. Meanwhile the British barrage still moved ahead. Word was sent to the rear and the barrage crept back, coming perilously close to the Scots, but pot overclose. Tho gunners with marvellous accuracy found the triangle, and reduced the defences, and tho Scots surged forward over a chaos timber and barricades and reached their , goal. CROWN PRINCE RECALLED. DEPRIVED OF HIS COMMAND. (Received April 12th, 9.20 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, April 11. German deserters report that the Crown Prince has been deprived of his command and recalled to Berlin. General von Falkenhayn has been made Chief Commander in Flanders, with headquarters at Thielt. ENEMY ATTACK REPULSED. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Rentcr'a Telegrams.) (Received April 12th, 9.45 p.m.) LONDON, April 12. A French official communique states: "There has been active artillerying in

the St. Quentin region. "The enemy south of the Oise, after a sharp bombardment, drove back one of onr detachments north-east of Evernouirsou and Coucy. Our counterattack promptly ejected the attackers. GERMANS CLAIM ADVANTAGE. (Received April 12th, 9145 p.m.) LONDON, April 11. A wireless German official report states: Near Fampoux, northwards of the Scarpe, tlio English infantry attacks and several cavalry attacks near Roeux failed. The fighting near Monchy le Preux and Wancourt favoured us. THE BRITISH BOMBARDMENT GHASTLY EVIDENCE OF ITS WORK. YARD-WIDE TARGETS HIT FROM FOUR MILES. (Eeutcr'a Telegrams.) (Received April 13th, 12.50 a.m.) LONDON, April 12. War correspondents state that there is ghastly evidence of the effect of the British bombardments. Machine-gun posts, of reinforced concrete two feet thick, were destroyed by a single shell, and trenches were smashed into shapeless ditches. The Germans tore up rails to make barricades and used farm carts, ploughs and brick heaps as cover, but all procautions were useless. Targets a yard wide were hit from a distance of four miles. Dead Germans are everywhere. EXTENSIVE MINING. PRECEDES AURAS BATTLE. NEW ZEALANDERS ESTABLISH A RECORD. (United Serrioe.) (Received April 13th, 12.50 a.m.) LONDON, April 11. A special corps of New Zealand miners partook in the extraordinary extensive mining which preceded the battle of Arras. There was strong rivalry between the various corps for the record in the length of galleries dug. The New Zealandcrs were first, with the Scottish corps 100 yards behind.

THE CAPTURE OF MONCHY. I THRILLING STORY BY "EYEWITNESS." DESPERATE BATTLE IX THE SNOW. CAVALRY CHARGE THE BROKENFOE. (Router's Telegrams.) (Received April 13tli. 12.50 a.m.) • LONDON. April 12. '"Eve-witness," with the British Forces, gives a thrilling; description of the capture of Monchy-loPreux, tho key of tho position between tho rivers Scari>o and Sensee. and standing on the edge of a plateau 100 feet above the surrounding country. To facilitate tho defence of Monchy tho Germans planted a series of ma-chine-gun batteries around the outer houses and in a wood surrounding a chateau to the north.

Sunken road s radiated in all directions, which were full of snipers and machine-gunners. The. capturo of Fanvpoux, however, covered tho flank of the attackers.

While the enveloping movement developed heavy snowstorms enabled a largo force to advance between the Scarpeand tho Douai road without tlie ouemy realisin/r the significance of the movement. Meanwhile tho artillery crossed tho Scarpe near Rouex and advanced on Monchy in tho dark. British bombing parties had meanwhile reached the fringe of the village. Tho troops were so tired after 36 hours' continuous fighting that they quickly dug in and slept throughout tho night in shallow tranches despito tho snowstorm. But they were readv to re-attack at dawn, and charged up the hill cheering. Monchy was captured in twenty minutes, tho remnants of the gamson collapsing when at closo quarters with our infantry. For the first time 1 had tho satisfaction of seeing tho cavalry charge tho broken foe, driving them terror-stricken over tho fields. The steady reduction of the German strongholds behind the breached lino proceeded so rapidly that tho Lancers and Dragoons were able to drive ahead en masse. Tho tanks were of great service in clearing tho machine-gun pockets and driving tho Germans out into tho open. Parties of Lewis' gunners pushing on "hastened the surrender. Tho survivors had been foodless and sleepless since Monday and were wet and chilled to the bone.

THE FRUITS OF VICTORY. ENEMY LINE STILL MENACED. •(•Vrntrplisvn and N. 55. Cab 1 *! Association.) (Received April 13th, 12.50 a.m.) LONDON, April 12. Latest estimates of Monday's and Tuesday's fighting give the number of prisoners as 12,000, with. 150 guns, and) innumerable machine-guns and trench mortars. Experts suggest that tho Germans were obliged to employ largo forces at Eullecourt, because eight miles from there the lino still bulges westward towards Arras, ana there is a danger of its being pinched out. Tho salient north of, Vimy Ridge and sooth-west of Lens is also dangerously narrow. " THE SIEGFRIED LINE." NEW GERMAN FRONT DESCRIBED. THE KAISER'S "BLOOD AND THUNDER." LONDON, April 2. When passing through Aix-la-Cha-pellc, von Hindenburg enunciated the dogma that while German officers regretted the loss of life that the war had involved, they must continue to sacrifice men without remorse. Tho Germans call' their new positions tho Siegfried lino. Siegfried, the hero of various German legends, slew the dragon, and ,then rendered himself invulnerable by bathing in its blood. In tho end death camo to him. He was treacherously killed by Hagen, who learned that Siegfried was mortal between tho shouldors. Mr Beach Thomas, correspondent of tho "Daily Mail" on the Western front, states that the enemy is holding village fortresses under the direct orders of Hindenburg, who reviewed tho line three weeks ago. The captured fortified village of Beaurains provides excellent observation. At this point the Germans have the thickest and thorniest wire entanglementrf, 300 yards wide, and little further pursuit is possible here. At Neuville Bonjourval _ tho correspondent saw Germans playing hide and seek in a quarry bristling with machineguns. Our patrols attacked them with rifles and machine-guns, which are now found to be a better and more successful formula than artillery. Horses pulled heavy guns up hill over amazing depths of mud and varietios of abysses. The enemy's rearguards are poorly supported by artillery. St. Quentin is surrounded by wired trenches, into which the Hindenburg line runs. Further south tho defences are more vague. Considerable forces of cavalry, cyclists, and armoured cars are still in action.

The work behind tho Australian lines is intensely interesting, bocauso none know when streets and buildings will bo blown up. An explosion at the Town Hall of Bapaume, -wherein 28 •were killed and seven were buried alivo and later saved, is a typical ease.'Numerous dug-outs and two houses which had been occupied and vacated by a brigade headquarters, blew up days after the Australians' eDtry. * Theso included Captain Bean's dug-out, which, happily, was empty, but the explosion -wrecked all his belongings. The Germans use sulphur, which gradually establishes an electric connexion. Just now nono go near the Germans' magnificent du2-outs. All accounts agree that the Australians are finding open lighting fascinating. The Josses arc light—at least onethird of the German losses. Tho men are filled with resentment of Hunnish tricks. Two Australians were bringing in a captured German officcr. who pulled his pistol from his pocket and shot ono Australian, who was bending. The other immediately knocked the brains out of the German. All the men are finding German bombs and Aotcs scattered everywhere. They delight in exploding bombs and lighting the flares, until tho front is sometimes like a gigantic fireworks. Gellibrand issued an order, "This must cease," but he came next day upon a man throwing a

German tomb. Replying to Brigadier Gollibrand's castigation, tho man scratched his head, and 'then remarked innocently, "I throw tho bomb because it might explodo ivhen somo poor French child found it years ahead. Tho correspondent of "Tho Times" at Headquarters described tho Kaiser's visit as "blood and thunder." Ho informed tho troops that they must hold every village at all costs, but ho did not "tell them how to do it. He then went off to Homburg, in Bavaria, to tako 'tho diabetes euro.