THE SITUATION IN THE WEST

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 172, 10 April 1918, Page 5

THE SITUATION IN THE WEST

APPARENT LULL IN THE FIGHTING ENEMY PREPARING FOR NEW. STROKE By Telopaph-Press Association-Copyright. London, April 8. 2.30 p.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—"Heavy hostile gas shelling topic place between Lens and La Bassee Canal, and also east of Armentieres."—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn-Reuter. (Rec. April 9, 10.30 p.m.) London, April 8, 10.20 p.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—"Except for hostile artillery activity on different parts of the. front, especially in tho neighbourhood of Bucquoy, there is nothing to report."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Reuter. (Rec. April 9, 11.40 p.m.) London, April 9. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—"Our low fliers dropped ten tons of bombs and fired many rounds at hostile troops and transport. Wβ brought down eight of the enemy's machines and drove down nine. Four of ours are missing. Our nightfliers dropped oh tons of bombs on Douai and on the railway station at Bnpaume."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. The New Zealand High Commissioner, reports :— London, April 8, 11.40 a.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—"On the south bank of the Somme, eastward of Vaire-sous-Corbie, we adavnced our line slightly during the night. There was increased enemy artillery activity on the whole battlofront during the night."ENEMY'S BOMBARDMENT SMOTHERED BY OUR REPLY By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. April 9, 11.25 p.m.) London, April 8. Reuter's correspondent at British Headquarters, writing on the evening of April 8, says:—''The heavy bombardment mentioned earlier died down after an hour, apparently smothered by the violence of our reply. Wet, cold, dreary weather lias commenced. It is said that the weather during tliis offensive is the first time that the luck of the elements has gone against the Germans."—Reuter. SIGNS OF ANOTHER BIG BLOW TERRIFIC GUNFIRE IN PROGRESS. (Rec. April 9, 10.30 p.m.) London, April 8, 9.30 p.m. Mr. Philip Gibbs reports:—"The terrific gunfire which is in progress suggests that another great battle is beginning. The enemy's artillery activity south of the Somme and elsewhere is doubtless, preparatory to another phase of the German offensive, wherein tho enemy may again, attempt to drive a wedge between the French and the British. The Germans have large concentrations astride the Somme, and are still bringing up guns. Simultaneously they are making demonstrations further north by heavy shell-fire on the Arras front and further north at Arnientieres and the La Bassee Canal, where many gas-shells were fired last night. There is. a possibility that they may again attempt to turn our defences at' Arras, while simultaneously striking hard for Amiens, hoping by a success south of the Sommo to make our positions untenable from Albert to above the Ancre Valley."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ENEMY'S TWO DAYS' HARD DRIVING BARREN OF RESULTS (Rec. April 9, 11.40 p.m.) London, April 9, 0.35 a.m. Mr. Percival Phillips writes:—"There is another lull. The enemy failed to get further results after his two days' hard driving, and has therefore allowed his disheartened troops to remain for the past three days resting in the trenches they created in the new wandering line. It can only he a pause before a still greater attack. The great German guns are coming up, and already are registering for the next intensive bombardment. There was a sudden burst of. artillery activity this morning, and many gas-shells from the Arras and Albert fronts, but the infantry has not yet left cover. We can afford, to contemplate the enemy's latest efforts with satisfaction. We have held the attackers well, and even advanced our line at some places."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BRITISH GUNS EFFECTIVELY HANDLED THREE MASSED ATTACKS STOPPED. (Rec. April 10, 0.45 a.m.) London, April 9. 1.25 a.m. Mr. Perry Robinson writes:-"Our guns have been particularly effective during tho last few days around Albert, Aveluy, and Ayette, awl at least three times stopped tho enemy from attempting a massed attack, breaking lip his formations. I hear that two thousand British prisoners have been forced to work on the railways within six miles of tho German front, exposed to artillery risks."—"The Times." SEVERE PRESSURE ON FRENCH FRONT ADVANCING MASSES LOSE HEAVILY. (Bcc. April 10, 0.45 a.m.) London, April 9, 1.25 a.m. .A French communique states:—"The pressure continues north cf the Ailette region and tho lower part of tho Coney forest. Our advanced elements resisted and delayed the advance of the enemy, who is very superior numerically, inflicting very heavy losses. There is reciprocal lively artillery activity on the Sommo front and between Montdidier and Noyon."—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reutor. , GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT • ' London, April 8, 9.15 p.m. A wireless German official leport states:—"Our troops, advancing on tho eastern border of the Forest of Coucy, and via Liirisos, stormed a hill northoast of Folembray and advanced us ifor ns Vorneuil. The number of prisoners has now reached two thousand."—Aub.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Rcutcr. (Rec. April 10, 0.45 a.m.) London, April 9, 1.25 a.m. A wireless German official report states: "We drove out the enemy from ft strong position on tho hoights eastward of Coucy-le-Chateau."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assii.-Reuter.