ON THE FRENCH FRONT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 176, 15 April 1918, Page 5

ON THE FRENCH FRONT

HEAVY FIGHTING AROUND HANGARD GERMANS ENTER THE VILLAGE, BUT ARE THROWN OUT London, April 12, 135 p.m. A French communique states: "The artillery struggle was somewhat violent at night in the region of Hangard. Our Teconnaissanco parties were activo on the sector of Noyon and Canny-sur-Metz, and took prisoners. Thero were fairly lively bombardments in tho region of the Oise Canal and tho forest of Parroy."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Asan.-Eeutor. / (Eec. April 14, 5.5 p.m.) London, April .13, 2.25 a.m. A French communique states: "Following an intense artillery preparation, tho Germans this morning attacked on the front from Hangard-ca-Santerre to Eourges. A furious fight, lasting all day, was developed. Tho enemy on the front near Hourges mado no. progress. Tiie Germans, after several fruitless attacks, into which they ceaselessly fed fresh troops, entered Hangard. Counterattacks brought back to us the western part of tho village, whero the lighting continues desperately. Tlioro is aotivo artillery firing in the Noyon sector. Tho Germans bombarded Eoimß, whore several fires wore started, notably round the cathedral. Tho enemy in the forest of Apromont strongly attacked our positions at Bois Brule, ind gained a footing in unr advanced elements. A sharp counterattack on tho French-Amoricau combination was ejected. Two German aeroplanes and a captive balloon wero brought down, and twelvo wero driven down damaged. Wo dropped sixteen tons of bombs on a station at St. CJuentin and an aviation ground north of Jlontdidier, and tho hangars at Champion wero de-stroyed."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assu.-Eoutor. London, April 13, 4.15 p.m. A Frenoh communique states: "During the night our counter-attacks in tho region of Hangard-en-Santerro completely throw back tho enemy. Wo again possoss the entire villago and also tho cemetery. Tho artillery duel continues violent in this region and between Jlontdidier and Noyon thoro are lively bombardraonts and groat patrol activity. Enemy raids north of Orvillers Sorel and between Nietto and the Aisno broke down. The onemy continues to bombardJleiins, a portion of which is in flames. We are endeavouring to restrict tho conliagration. The enemy is renewing his attacks in the forest of Apremont, and against Bois Brule. The Americans' liaison with, our troops shattered most of tho attacks.' — Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Eeuter. FRENCH ADVANCE SEVERAL HUNDRED YARDS GERMAN STORM TROOPS SANGUINARILY DEFEATED. (Eec. April 11, 11 p.m.) London, April 14, 1.35 a.m. A French communique states: "There is reciprocal artillery activity north of Montdidier. The French, west of Lassigny, attacked tho woods north-west of Orvillers Sorel on a front of twelvo hundred yards, and advanced several hundred yards. German storm troops, attacking in the Noyon sector, wero caught by our fire before reaching the lines and were sanguinarily defeated. French aviators havo been most active during tho fino weather on (he whole front. Chasing 'planes havo mado 350 trips and fought 120 combats. Ei"ht enemy 'planes wero brought down, and 23 foil in their ojyti lines damaged. Fivo German captive balloons were destroyed. Our bombing 'planes, including an Italian, dropped 48 tons of projectiles on various stations, cantonments and convoys. Several fires and explosions wero observed."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. AMERICAN LINES ATTACKED. (Eec. April 13, 5.5 p.m.) New York, April 12. The United Paris correspondent reports that tho Germans attacked tho Americans north-west of Ton!. Tho heaviest artillery and infantry fighting is in progress.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Eeuter. PARIS AGAIN BOMBARDED. London, April 12. The loDg-Tange gun yesterday killed four and wounded twenty-one persons. A eholl fell on a children's hoßpital.-Aus.-N.Z. "C?&Io Assn.

THE GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT 20,000 PJUSONEB.S AND 200 GUNS CLAIMED. (IJoc. April U, 5.5 p.m.)London, April 13, 0.45 a.m. A German official report slates: "In lbo capture of Armenticros the English garrison of SO officers and 3000 men laid down their arms nfter a brave resistance. \\o captured .j.j guns and other booty. The total number of prisoners taken in thei battle in tlio Armentipres area is now 20,000, 'including an English general, and wo captured 200 guns. A French assault westward of Morouil broke- down, leaving :j(KI prisoners, who were subsequently killed by the I'rench artillerv."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. (Hot. April ]'■[, it p.m.) London, April H, 1 a.m. A German official report stales:—"On the battlefield of Lvs our attacks against the English divisions have progresed. From the lieignts of Messines we pushed forward across Steobach (fSteonbeck), and reached tho eastern border of Wulverghem. We surrounded and captured Ploegsteert Wood, and took the fortified height of Knssignol, between the railways leading from Armontieres 'to Bailleul and Mcrville. Wo carried tho attack, forward as far as tho railway leading from Baille.nl to Merrisand, aud tho far eastern border of the Nieppo Wood, southward of Merville. We captured the Clarence River, took Locon hy storm, and reached Ilia La Bassee Canal north-west of Bethune. Wo took 100 prisoners on both sides of tho Lucebrook."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eouter.