FRESH BLOW AT THE BRITISH

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 173, 11 April 1918, Page 5

FRESH BLOW AT THE BRITISH

ATTACK BETWEEN LENS AND ARMENTIERES ENEMY GAINS FOOTHOLD IN FIRST LINE POINTS London, April 9, 1.25 p.m. Sir Douglas Eaig reports: "The enemy's artillery early in the. morning developed great activity from La Bassee Canal to the south of Armentieres. There is heavy hostile shelling in the neighbourhood ef Villers-Bretonneux (three miles south of Corbie, on the Sommo) and Mericourt l'Abbe (on the Anere, four miles north-east of Corbie)." (Rec. April 10, 11.50 p.m.) London, April 0, 11.30 p.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "This morning, aftor an intense bombardment from La Bassce Canal to the neighbourhood of Armontieres, strong hostile forces attacked the British and Portuguese troops which were holding this sector. A thick mist made observation impossible. The enemy forced his way into our positions near Neuve Chapelle, Fanquissart, and La Cordonnerle Farm. After heavy fighting all day long the enemy forced back the Portuguese in the centre and the British on tlio flanks on the lino of the Lys River, between Estaires and Bachtmaur "We hold our positions on both flanks about Givenchy and Flurhoise, where the enemy was repulsed in heavy fighting. The i-ne'my captured Richeboiirg, Straast, and Laventie. Sovero fighting continues along the whole of this front. We secured prisoners southward of Arras in minor engagements. Owing to the mist and rain few flights were possible yesterday."—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. HEAVY ATTACK ON TEN-MILE FRONT FIRST LINES OCCUPIED AT CERTAIN POINTS. (Ree. April 10, 0.30 p.m.) London. April 9, 11.30 p.m. The Germans heavily attacked on a. ten-mile front between Lens and Armentieres, and occupied our first lines at certain points.—Renter. WE ARE HOLDING ON (Ree. April 11, 1.15 a.m.) London, April 10. The United Press correspondent states:—"The Germans suddenly attacked the Portuguese and British on their flanks along a ten-mile front from the La. Bnsseo Canal to a point southward of Armentieres. The bombardment opened early in the. morning and then died down. .About 8 o'clock they laid, down a barrage from Armentieres to Lens. The infantry attacked, and apparently obtained a. footing in the front lines eastward of Leplakin Petillon, at Giencliy, and on the left flank of tho battle. We are apparently holding on by most stubborn fighting, which is particularly hot eastward of Fnstubort. The German long-range guns bombarded Beth'une, Estaires, Laventie, and practically all the villages and towns in tho back areas. The weather is misty and overcast. The Germans used, several fresh divisions. Von Hindonburg is perhaps hoping to flank our positions from the north, though his exact intentions remain to bo seen.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. CAPTURE OF LAVENTIE. (Rec. April 11, 1.15 a.m.) London, April 10, 1.15 a.m. The Germans advanced three miles and captured Laventie.—United Service. THE PRESSURE ON THE FRENCH . OUR, ALLIES TAKE UP NEW POSITIONS. London, April 9, 4.30 p.m. A French communique states: "There is great reciprocal artillery fire at numerous points on tho front north of Montdiclier and between the Montdiclier and Noyon region, and intermittent bombardments on tho loft bank of the Oise. Our advance elements, in accordance with orders, have withdrawn to previously organised positions south-west of tho lower forest of Coucy, and south of Coucy-le-Chateau. The enemy troops lost heavily in this operation." —Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Reuter. GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT (Bee. April 11, 1.15 a.m.) London, April 10. A wireless German official report states: "We havo captured Quincy, Landrioourt, and Coucy-le-Chateau. We penetrated the English and Portuguese positions northward of La Bassee Canal. Wo threw the enemy back across tho Oise and Aisn'e Canal between Coucy-le-Ohateau and Brancourt. The enemy lost 330 aeroplanes during March. We lost 81."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. COMMENTS ON THE SITUATION RENEWED ATTACK ON VAST FRONT EXPECTED. • London, April 9. A semi-official review states that a renewal of the attack on a vast front must bo expected. Yesterday, on the Oise and the Ailette, we withdrew in order to reduce a salient and after fulfilling the mission of holding the enemy while the French main body took up new positions. The Germans are attempting to represent this simple operation as a great German attack, perhaps hoping to attract some of our reserves here so as to ease the Sorame front, which is still their main objective. Tho enemy is employing French prisoners two miles behind the firing line.—Renter. v "THEY HAVE AVON THE BATTLE-BUT NOT THE CAMPAIGN." New York, April 9. Mr. Frank Simonds, in an article commenting on the West front, says the Germans have won tho battlo, but not the campaign. Their chances of winning the campaign are visibly decreasing daily.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GERMAN CASUALTIES ADMITTEDLY A RECORD. Rome, April 9. German newspapers admit that the casualties are heavier than iu any previous fighting.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.