GERMANS DESPERATELY ATTACKING

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3081, 11 May 1917, Page 5

GERMANS DESPERATELY ATTACKING

COUNTER-ASSAULTS SMASHED BY THE ALLIES - FRESNOY UNDER HEAVY FIRE

(By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright),

' . ' • London, May 9. ' ' Sir Douglas Haig reports: "We advanced our positions slightly'last night north-eastward of Hargicourt. • Our barrage completely'broke an attack in the evening north-east of Savrelle, and simultaneously our artillery dispersed forces concentrating for an attack northward of Fresnoy. Our coun-ter-attack at night improved the'position westward of Fresnoy, and regained •portion of the lost ground. An enemyj raiding party was driven off eastward of Armentieres.—Ausi-N.Z. Cable Assn. . .

(Bxc. May 10, 10.30 p.m.)

London, May 9. • Sir Douglas : Haig reports: "During local fighting in the neighbourhood jf Bullecourt, a-party .of :t!ie. enemy attempting to advance over the open was ■caught by our machine-gun fire and fustained heavy casualties. There was considerable reciprocal artillery-activity at intervals north-westward'of St. Quentin and in the neighbourhoods of Bullecourt, Wancourt, and Arloux"— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. '■-...

, THE FIGHT AT FRESNOY

."':.'■■ VILLAGE NOW A PERFECT INFERNO. London, May 9. Reuter's correspondent at Headquarters writes on May 9: "It was sheer •weight of numbers that drove us back from Freslioy, which the British, guns are now making a, perfect inferno. But the question, of such gains or losses of territory, must remain altogether subordinate to the main business of wear-' ing down the Germans. It is manifestly to our advantage that they should , continue to stand whore they can be hammered. This is the broader strategic view, and must not be overlooked in the present ebb and flow of the great struggle.—Reuter;. ;

HOW. FRESNOY WAS HELD AND LOST

(Rec. May 11, 0.5 a.m.)

London, May 10. Mr. Philip Gibbs contributes a high eulogy of the Canadians in the capturing and holding of Fresnoy. "The Germans, held Acheville to tho north, and Oppy to the south, so that Fresnoy jutted out like a square bastion into the enemy line. The Canadians had to form defensive flanks The Germans for several days delivered strong counter-thrusts on each side and finally brought the Prussian Guards to Acheville and,Oppy, whil'a their lath Reserve Division and" s£h Bavarian Division were stationed before Fresnoy. The' Canadians had been relieved before the Germans' dense column formation charged like a battering-ram upon the South-Country English lads who were holding Fresnoy. The Englishmen held on, despite a frightful fire, aud served machine-guns to the last. They only retreated when Fresnoy became a death-trap. If is impossible to avoid occasional setbacks now that tho Germans have decided to give battle."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable 'Assn..

FRANK ADMISSION OF REVERSE APPLAUDED.

Paris, Mav 9 The "Petit Journal" pays a tribute to British frankness in admitting the set-hack at Fresnoy. which is less important owing to the British main" taining all their '■ positions south-eastward and north-eastward. Therefore the Germans at Fresnoy will find it difficult to hold the salient.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

ENEMY STUBBORNLY RESISTING

.■•'.•'. London, May 9'. A correspondent at Headquarters states that the Germans keep up a stubborn resistance everywhere, frequently counter-attacking in massed formation and persisting regardless of heavy losses. The Germans ferociouslv reattacked the.Gavrelle windmill, but wavered and retired under a storm of shellfire and machine-gun bullets.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

SANGUINARY FIGHTING ON THE FRENCH FRONT

I DESPERATE STRUGGLE AT THE CHEMIN-DES-DAMES

'',■■/•■ London, May 3. 'A French official communique states: "The struggle is keenest at the Chemin-des-Dames. The enemy's attacks wore made by large forces, preceded h.v violent bombardments.: They were everywhere repulsed. In-the district of Ceryny-e la Bovelle . and Hurtchiso the Germans were twice sanguinarily defeated. Powerful efforts were made further east against tho California plateau, but the assaulting wnvos were mown down by our barrage. The enemy gained a momentary footing in the north-east salient of tho plateau, hut a bayonet charge ousted tliem in disorder. The number of German dead testifies tn the absolutely purpngeloss sacrifices. Our positions were entirely maintained. We in. turn brilliantly carried the German first line trench on front of twelve hundred yards north-east of Chovreux."—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.-TCeuter. ' THE GERMAN REPORT (R«o. May 10, 6.30 p.m.) London, Mav 9. A German wireless official report states: "Our Bavarian and Frank'ish regiments which stormed Frosnoy held the villago against the enemy's counterattacks. We repulsed the British advances at Boeux and Biillecourt, and ptpulscd the French after a hand-to-hand struggle hotween Winterbnrg and the Corbcny-Berry-au-Bao Road."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Keutor.

(Reo. May 10, 1.0.30 p.m.) London, May 0„ A German official report states: "British attacks near Frosnoy and Bullocourt failed.''—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Keuter. THE RAILWAY'S PART IN THE OFFENSIVE BIG RUSH ORDER FOR THE WEST! ; Ottawa, May 9. The Canadian Government has agreed to the request of Britain and France to supply material for railway tracks for the West front. It will dismantle three hundred miles of the British Columbia division of the GTand Trunk Pacific railroad, where it runs parallel with tho Canadian Northern railroad, and will ship the rails to Europe immediately. Canada has already 1200 men building railways on the West -front.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE' ARMY'S THANKS TO THE MUNITION WORKERS GRATEFUL APPRECIATION FROM SIR DOUGLAS HAIG. (Rec. May 10, 6.30 p.m.) London, May 9. The Press Bureau states: "Sir Douglas Haig has written to 'the Minister for Munitions expressing the Army's appreciation of tho workers' efforts, as shown in the supply of guns, rifles, ammunition, aircraft, and tanks for recent operations.' 'I can rely on tho workers to ensure that the Army will lack nothing in future.' "The reduction in the number of prematurely exploding cartridges proves that the manufacture; filling, and inspection of shells has reached a high standard."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Keuter.