THE GERMAN REPORTS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 169, 6 April 1918, Page 9

THE GERMAN REPORTS

FIGHTING ACTIVITY REVIVED SOUTH OF THE SOMME FRESH SUCCESSES CLAIMED'' (Eec. April 5, 8.35 p.m.) . , London, April 4, 9.25 p.m. , A (jernuin official report states"Fighting activity has revived south of . 0 komme ; The enemy, by means ola surprise, after strong artillery firing, four times vainly endeavoured early this morning and in the afternoon to recapture lost heights south-west of Moreuil. These attacks heavily broke down." Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. ] London, April 5, 0.5.a.m. , A Germnn official states:—"We won fresh successes south of the ( faomme. We bombarded Reims as a reprisal for the bombardment of our shelters at Laon."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. ' LACK OF REINFORCEMENTS CAUSES LULL IN OFFENSIVE I FRENCH COUNTER-ATTACKING WITH FEESH DIVISIONS. . , . (Rec. April 5, 8 p.m.). 1 Amsterdam, April 4. German telegrams state that the German troops were told that Von Mackensen would arrive shortly with an army to bring about a decision on the Western front. This was told to wounded men en route to Germany, in order to encourage civilians. The telegrams also stated that the lull in 'the offensive is owing to the lack of reinforcements. The telegrams add: The British have a great nuantity of artillery north of the Somme and at the bend of the Ancre, which is most active. The French also are strongly counter-attacking with fresh divisions—Aus.-N.Z.. Cable Assn. CHANGES IN GERMAN HIGH COMMAND IMMINENT , ARMIES-TO BE DIVIDED INTO TWO GROUPS. ' (Eec. April 5, 8 p.m.) Amsterdam, April 4. . Important changes in the German high command are imminent, the armies engaged in the West' being divided into, two groups, one to fijjht the Brit-. ish and the'other the French. Prince Leopold of Bavaria will command against tho French.—Aus.-N.Z.'Cable Assn. THE NEW ZEALANDERS' LIGHTNING ATTACK ■ ENEMY DEPRIVED OF OBSERVATION GERMANS JAMMED INTO A CONFUSED MASS ' London, April 4. _ Mr. Percival Phillips writes:—'"The New Zealandevs on Sunday night Sained one of the most important local victories since the present lull began. The attack was carried out with lightning speed, and resulted in the capture, in seven minutes, of the Hehuteme-Auchonvillers Road, which the Germans held strongly. This deprived the enemy of the necessary observation there. Elements belonging to four divisions were jammed into a confused mass. The New Zealandcrs found 110 machine-guns among the debris. ' In addition, they took nearly three hundred prisoners, including three officers. Gorman Cavalry Wiped Out by French Cuns. A correspondent at the French Headquarters writes: —The commander of .a machine-gun section says: "The IThlans (German cavalry) charged us solidly, at full gallop, opposite Montdidier. Wo allowed them to approach to close range before we fired, and the whole brilliant cavalcade was destroyed. Not a single man remained. Two squadrons of cavalry were similarly wiped out on the previous day. My guns made their- biggest, meal since the beginning of the war." Enemy's Strength Sufficient for a Long Offensive. M. Bidou, the military expert of the newspaper "Dobats," who is closely associated with Headquarters, states that the enemy's strength is sufficient ■ to carry on an offensive for a long time, and he will not fail to use it', ' The enemy, says M. Bidou, has seventy-five divisions along seventy miles of front, and also fresh troops. not concentrated, additional divisions from Russia, and possibly others that will be available after resting... The total at least'equals tho masses hitherto used.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GERMANS DIGGING IN ALONG BRITISH FRONT SPLENDID WORK OF AMERICAN AIR FORCES." (REG. APRIL 5, 8.35 P.M.) . London, April 4. The United Press correspondent says: "The fighting has simmered down until it is reminiscent of the ordinary trench warfaro before the offensive. The local clashes arc more like raids than battles. Sharp attacks and coun-ter-attacks for tho possession of high ground are about all that is happening. An ovcrcast sky, with low clouds, hampers, without altogether stopping, flying. The Germans are still .digging 'in along the British front, .while bringing up fighting materials. This,is no easy job. The British guns- keep up a harassing fire on the roads across the old Sommo desert, which is strewn with the carcasses of horses, wrecked trucks and other transport material. . The American air forces, with the British, Australians, and Canadians, have done splendidly. Tho British highly praiso the American squadrons and air mechanics, who worked day and night during the great battle."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assu. Rain Hampering the Cermans. Router's correspondent at British Hoadquarters says: "Tho rain con-' tinues steadily, and tho ground is mushy. This affects the Germans more than the Allies, because they aro moving across a ' battle-pounded country honeycombed with shell craters brimful of water; while our communications are untouched."—Reuter.