BRITISH LEAVE NEUVE EGLISE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 178, 17 April 1918, Page 5

BRITISH LEAVE NEUVE EGLISE

BLOW AT BAILLEUL FAILS COMMENTS ON THE SITUATION By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright London, April 15, 1.25 p.m. Sir Douglae Haig reports:—"There was sovere fighting all day long yesterday iround Neuve Eglise. After beating off numerous attacks. wo were finally compelled to withdraw for the second time from the village. There were strong enemy attacka in the afternoon at a number of other points on tho battlefrout. lAfter fierce fighting north-west of Herville, the German infantry was driven hack with great loss. Hostile infantry,advancing along the northern bauk of the Lys Canal, were caught by our artillery fire, and were unable to , develop nn attack. There were no fewer than seven enemy attacks during the day in tho Merville sector. All were repulsed with heavy loss to the enemy. In one case the enemy advanced to assault in five waves. Under the weight of this attfack the line was bent back slightly, but a counter-attack completely restored it. (Parties of the enemy south-west of Bailleul temporarily penetrated our positions, Jut were driven out and the line restored. There was a successful minor operation during the night east of Bobecq. Tighling occurred in the morning in the neighbourhood of Hangard. where we improved our position, and took a number of prisoners. Hostilo artillery is active in the neighbouprhood of Bucauoy."— lA.US.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Keuter. ' . ' (Eec. April 16, 8 p.m.) London, April 15, 10.20 a.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports:-"Fis;htin? occurred this afternoon in the neighbourhood of Bailluel and Wulverghem, and is being continued. Hostile artillery is active between Givenchy and Eobeck. Our artillery effectively engaged bodies of the enemy's infantry on the La Baosee-Estaires Road."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. . • ■ SUCCESSFUL RAIDS BY THE FRENCH _ » London, April 15, 4.5 p.m. A Trench official cbmmuniaue eteles;—"We made soveral raids between Mont'didier and Noyon and south of Mont Tetu, in the Champagne. Enemy attempts north of Chemin des Dames and south-east of Corbeny were unsuccessful."—Aus - N.Z. Cable Assn.-Keuter. (Rec. April 16, 10.40 p.m.) London, April 16, 1.15 a.m. A French official communique states:—"The artillery duel is very violent in the region of Hangard-en-Santerre. Our artillery dispersed the enemy's nssemfclages in the outskirts of Demnin. There is lively cannonading in tho.region of Avocotirt."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Reuter. FOCH, DICTATOR SUPREME, UNQUESTIONED COMMAND OF ALLIED ARMIES. Paris, April 15. It is officially announced that General Foch has been appointed Generalissimo of all the Allied armies in France. The respective Governments have given General Foch the widest .powers, and his action will be unquestioned; Thus an absolutely united Anglo-Franco-American army has been constituted."—Keuter. ENEMY FACES ANOTHER WINTER CAMPAIGN "CONQUERED TERRAIN COUNTS FOR NOTHING." New York, April 15. The War Department's weekly review says- that the Germans will soon be compelled to Tesume their old tactics of limited objectives. Germany'B sole aim. is the annihilation of tho British armies; hence conquered terrain counts for little. The Germans have failed to win a victory, and are warning tho pcoplo that another winter of war may be necessary.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BEST AND WORST YET TO COME FOUR POSSIBILITIES IN THE NEXT MOVE. London, April 15. The "Daily Chwmicle's" correspondent at French Headquarters says ho believes that the best as well as the worst is yet to come-. "We. need all our courage to win through this last black valley. It is only in seeing the battle and its meaning as a wholo that; signs of encouragement can be found. Tho German Command has not yet shown its whole programme. Its reserves are not fully deployed; and its striking force is not yet sufficiently worn down. Therefore, Bevere though tho pressure , may be, the moment for definite intervention has not arrived. Hard as the 'burden of defence is, the men may bo sure that their Bacrifice is not in vain, and that Foch's cool brain and hard grip will bo justified. About a million and a half Germans have been thrown into tho battle during the three weeks of the offensive; and of them seven ty-ilvo divisions havo been so dislocated that they had to bo withdrawn for reorganisation. It is probable that the German casualties total nearly half ii million. The Germans conducted the northern battle ou a smaller scale than the southern, and this may fairly be regarded as a confession that the southern battle was a failure. Nevertheless, the northern offensive strengthens the German position athwart' the Somme, and cramps our power of manoeuvre for tho defenco of the Channel. Everything points to the enemy using every ounce of his power in tho next phase of the offensive. Tho correspondent suggests four possibilities:— 1. A new attack, on tho Sommo. 2. A further enlargement of the Battle of Armentieres, threatening the Ypres and Yser lines. 3. A direct attack on tho Yser. i. A combination of 6orao or all of these. The Allies aro ceaselessly reinforcing their armies, ami tho only hope the Germans have of success lies in their speed.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF TWO GREAT BATTLE CRISES COINCIDE. New York, April 15 The New York "Sun's" London correspondent says that official opinion on the situation on the West front Iβ encouraging. The most critical period is expected within the next twenty-four hours. The New York "Times" correspondent at Paris interviewed a "High Military Authority," who stated: "Tho road to Calais and Dunkirk is barred to the Germans by the stubborn resistance of the British and tho fact that General Foch will shortly bo able to use ii substantial number of fresh French divisions. Haig's position corresponds with that of AVellington's at Waterloo while awnilin'" ■Blucher. Bluoher arrived in lime. So will Foch."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn "

GERMAN HOPES IN THE FINAL THROW

FRIGHTFUL GAMBLE WITH HUMAN LIVES. London, April 15. The diary of a dead German officer shows that the Germans believed that their preparations for the March offensive were go thoughtfuly planned that failure was practically Impossible. The diary confirms the theory that t,He Germane aimed at securing Boulogne and other .French porta in order to separate the British and French—Aus.-X.Z. Cablo Assn.

_ The "Manchester Guardian" publishes a candid German critic's expression of Ins point of viow. Ho says:—"This is cur last chance for complete victory, because later,tho .American Army will bo big. It is a frightful gamble. It lias cost already half a, million casualties, and it will cost a million in another throe weeks. This is justifiable if Von Hindcnbnrg drives tlvo British inlo tho sea; otherwise wo will be again reduced to two millions in tlio West, facing odds of five to two. If wo had placed safety first wo could have economised in men and built redoubts. Our staff work seems to bo better than the British, and our advances aro on a bigger scale; but tlio Rain* are not worth Iho losses unless wo'break tlio British. Everything dcpeijds on tho next drives."— Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. FRENCH RESERVES WERE NOT NEEDED BRITISH WITH REDOUBLED ENERGY HOLD THE LINE. (Eec. April IG, S p.m.) Paris, April 15. If. Maurice Barres, in the "Echo de Paris," stale?:—"The French reserves which Sir Douglas Haig mentioned in his Army Order duly reached the British front, but did not have to go into action. Tho British, with redoubled energy, were- able to beat off tho attacks alone. The French public is gratified nt the extension of Goneral Foch's title to that of Commandor-in-Ohief of the Allied armies, with tho widest powers. Co-ordination of the Allied front is considered essential to the successful launching of a counter-offensive, which is the only means of stopping tho enemy's bull-rushes."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. reattach; on bailleul broken up. (Eec. April 16, 0.5 p.m.) London, April 15. Mr. Perry Robinson reports that the reattack on Bailleul failed. Tlie artillery brokei it up.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. OUTLOOK FULL OF HOPE. (Eec. April IC, 10.30 p.m.) London, April 16. Mr. Hamilton Fyfe states {hat the position has been relieved since fresh (roops replaced the tired battalions. Tho outlook is full of hope-United Service. (Eec. April 16, 10.40 p.m.) London, April 16, 1.15 a.m. A wireless German official report states:—"We have captured the enemy's lines north-east of Wulverghein."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Keuter. THE WAR BAROMETER-STOCK EXCHANGE MORE CHEERFUL (Eec. April 16, 7.15 p.m.) London, April 15. ' The tone of the Stock Exchange is more cheerful. Consols are quoted «t 50.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ENEMY NOT YET BROUGHT TO A STANDSTILL (Eec. April 16. 0.5 p.m.) London, April 15. Renter's correspondent at British Headquarters states:—"The enemy is held up around Neuve Eglise. A great thrust is impending towards Bailleul. The enemy has not yet been brought to a standstill in the Flanders battle. Their reocciipation of Neuve Eglise and the desperate struggle Io advance towards Bailleul shows that the Germans are able and willing to continue to pay nn appalling price in their attempts to crush the British Army. On tho contrary every hour tho strength of the defence is increasing. Tho enemy's failure to reach his final objective in the Somme battle is being repeated to-day in Flanders. The enemy's prograriime was to reach Kemniel on April 10. He. is only three miles from Kemmel Ridge, but to-day lie is no nwer than ho was on Friday, since when reinforcements have been flung across the Germans' path. Interesting details of the Germans losses are coining in. Tho German Sixteenth Division and the Seventeenth Division on April 11 got a terrible gruelling, and were forced to retire upon their starting point. A prisoner from the FiftySecond Reserve Division of infantry paid a reluctant tribute to the magnificent fighting of the British machine-gunners, who on March 23 reduced his company to half its strength.—Eeuter. . ~ (Eμ. April IC. 11.10 p.m.) : London, April 16. Mr. Perry Robinson, writing on April IS, eays: "The events of the past twenty-four hours give no ground for a chango of opinion that the Germans aro definitely held. Wo have pushed them back appreciably nt Saint Venant 'ind Nicppe ! Forest. Our line from Flories to Robeck lias been further advanced, and is i firmer. The enemy seems to have abandoned his hopo of reaching the area of :tho Betbune and Driiay coalfields, fearing to make a dangerous salient, His 'strength is mainly concentrated upon his northern advance, where he is haimncriing hard with the view of reaching an isolated chain of hills. Beyond, tho I general trend of his efforts from Armentieres an(l Estaires is in a direction northwards and north-westwards. Tho enemy divisions here employed exceed twentyI five, of which twenty-three aro still in tho ''. ne - Our-new divisions-have been daily arriving since April 11, and include the famous Alpine Corps. The sole ! result of tho determined! and almost continuous fighting is our short withdrawal from Neuve Eglise. Thero is every evid° nce t uat -the German losses have been very heavy, and they wero equally heavy at Meteren on Sunday. The most: savage straggles at several points failed, ftid thero was terrific artillery firing throughout tho night, but the enemy scored no advantage, as the British guns were splendid. The Germans'massed i l ' tlla foronoon for a renewed attack on Ballieul and Meteren, but the artillery prevented an advance. Whether wo will continue (o hold (he Bailleiil-Metereii line I oaunot protend to say. A point may be reached when possibly it will prove too costly to remain, but the Germans have been given such a lesson hero that no minor advance, will now repay the casualties. Our airmen report onormous numbers of the enemy's dead in tho neighbourhood of Saint Venant, where there was savngo hand-to-hand fighting, and also on tlio northern sector."—"The Times." SECOND THRUST HAS LOST ITS PRIME MOMENTUM. (Rec. April 16, 8 p.m.) London, April, 15, 5.30 p.m. Present indications are that the second Gorman thrust lias lost its prime momentum, and that the German generals are looking for a third field of "attack, possibly betwen Lens and Arras, meanwhile continuing their , desperate fighting in the direction of Hazebrouck. The loss of Neuve Eglise. is regrettable, as it was the centre of the sanguinary fighting, but the neighbouring highlands of Mont Descats, Mont Rouge, and Mont Kemmel aro still in our possession while the British infantry are entrenched in the Forest of Nieppo, holding up the German arrowhead just beyond Merville. Officers and men aliko apnlniid the manner they were handled in the battle at Armentieres. The Australians, New Zealanders, and Canadians hold the line against the enemy's advance towards Amiens. Some of the Australian wounded are arriving iii England from the battlefields of Dernancourt, south of tho Sommo, and elsowhere. The bulk of the wounded remain in the hospitals in France. Thero is great pressuro on shipping for Franco at present. Hazebrouck plays tho part, in tlio battle of Armentieres .which Amiens plays in the battle of Picardy, Hazebrouck b'oiii" on the artery connecting Calais and Yprcs.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ° THE GERMAN REPORTS (Rec. April 16, 8 p.m.) London, April 15 A wireless German official report states:—"Bitter hand-to-hand fighting frequently developed on the Lys battlefield. Wβ cleared the English machine-°tm nest south-west of Neuve Eglise and between Baillenl and Merris, akin" prisoner the occupants. The enemy's counter-attacks at Bailleul and north-west of Be thune heavily broke down."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eeuter. A CONFERENCE AT GERMAN HEADQUARTERS. (Eec. April IC, 10.30 p.m.) Washington, April 15. Advices from Berne state that Dr. von Kuhlmann (German Foreign Secretary) has gone to General Headquarters to confer with Count Hertling (the Chan-collor).—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. ,

CASUALTIES IN THE BATTLE

AUSTRALIAN REMARKABLY LIGHT. London, April 15. The Australian casualties have been remarkably light. The Now Zeahinders' losses are proportionately heavier, but iiro considerably less than in the fighting at Pnsschendaele.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GERMAN WOUNDED THREE TIMES OVER THE ESTIMATE. (Roc. April 16, 8 p.m.) Amsterdam, April 15. The Germans have turned the five leading hotels in Brussels into war hospitals, and similar measures are being taken at Liege and Antwerp. The number of wounded is three times what was expected.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GERMAN CASUALTIES GLOSSED OVER. r ■ • -n l u ~i -m i«. -n ' Amsterdam, April 15. It is significant that (he Wold Press Bureau has been compelled to issue a statement regarding the German losses. It emphasises that the- majority of tho wounded are "walking cases," and reiterates that the losses are normal "for such big operations.—lteuter. SECRET WAR SESSION IN CANADA. _ , Ottawa, April 15. A secret session of the Dominion Parliament has been called to discuss the war situation.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.