THE PRESSURE IN FLANDERS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 180, 19 April 1918, Page 5

THE PRESSURE IN FLANDERS

BRITISH RETIRE FROM PASSCHENDAELE HINT OF IMPORTANT MOVE ON ALLIES' SIDE By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright on . ti • , ..■>, , - - Londo H< A P ril I?, 1-25 P-m. bir Douglas Haig reports"Meteren remains in our hands. We withdrew from advanced positions cast of Ypres to a new line." cv n i tt • l London, April 17, 2.25 p.m. fair Douglas Hnig reports: We successfully counter-attacked yesterday evening iq the neighbourhood of Wytsehaete. Our counter-attack also restored the situation at Meteren, which we retain. We repulsed with loss repeated attacks northward of Bailleul. Our fire at close range caught bodies of enemy infantry advanoing in close formation, inflicting heavy casualties. The enemy endeavoured to develop an ittack yesterday afternoon east of Robecq, but our artillery broke up the advance. In consequence of the enemy's progress on the Lys front, our troops in forward positions east of Ypres withdrew to a new line. The withdrawal was carried out deliberately, and was not disturbed bv tho enemy. German parties advancing over onr old positions were caught anil destroyed by the fire from our outposts. We drove out parties who entered trendies opposite Boyelles, where our line has been completely restored. There was considerably increased tostile artillery action this morning tn the British fron(| south of the Somrae."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. (Eec. April 19, 0.5 a.m.) o- t, , tt • . , London, April 18. Sir Douglas Haig reports: Intense hostile bombardments were launched this morning along the whole of the Lys battlofront. They were followed by attacks from Nieppe Forest to Wytsehaete. All wero, repulsed, considerable losses being inflicted. Our counter-attacks (reported in the morning)' succeeded in entering the villages of Meteren and Wytsehaete, but we were unable to main-' tain our positions in the face of continued attacks. The Frenoh are now cooperating on this front."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. A SEMI-OFFICIAL REVIEW ! c . • r ~ Pa, " is i April 17. bemi-omoial: the enemy paid for his success between Bailleul and Ne.uve Eglise with frightful hecatombs of dead. Whole battalions wero thrown in with an unexampled disregard of life. Undoubtedly 'tho enemy will continue the battle with fresh reinforcements and fresh sacrifices. His objective is clearnamely to turn tlio range of heights rising 150 metres abovo the plain in the triangle formed by A'assel and Bailleul. This operation, demands a littlo time, and the Frenoh and British forces may stop it."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo -ABbn.-Eeuter. THE HIGH, MILITARY AUTHORITY'S REVIEW THE PARALLEL OF WATERLOO. 'Eec. Aoril 18. 8 p.m.) London, April 17, The "High Military Authority," after spending the last four days on the battlefront, snys: "Up to midday on Tuesday tho situation undoubtedly was very anxious. The Germans attacked with four fresh divisions on either side of Bailleul. and if they could have maintained the pressure there would have boen great Hanger to a vital range of heights, beginning in the east with Mont Kemmel and ending in the west with Mont Cassel. That ridge wns the backbone of our defence oh tho northern battlefield. The news last night and to-day is decidedly better. We have counter-attacked and driven tho Germans out of Meteren on a widish front, and advanced in the direction of Neiwo Eglise without much opposition. While I could not say that Wytsehaete is entirely in our hands, we have secured a portion, and probably tli e villa'ge by now has been wholly retaken." Referring t othe withdrawal on the Ypres front, he says: "Our preparations for shortening this front were made < o me time ago, in complete detail, in the event of any emergency arising, lhe decision to carry it out was mado on Sunday before. Bailleul was captured, and tho withdrawal wag completed on Monday night. This action . though regrettable, was necessary. Our Army is undergoing a severe strain. Wo have had critical moments, and tho situation still ia decidedly anxious, but it must bo remembered that we have plumped for a united front and placed our forces under n supreme control, "which was a wise and proper decision, and we must acept the consequences. Wo must not look at tho battle from the viewpoint of our own i osses and sufferings, but from) tho En. tente's viewpoint. Wo arc fighting a Waterloo while Blucher is marching to 'the battlofiold. If we multiply things ono n U ndi-edfold tho situation now is not dissimilar from the situation then. Wo are standing tho hammering, and providing Blucher is marching there is no cause to despair—quito the contrary. In the whole of this offensive tho Germans are employing 126 divisions, of which tho British alone have engaged 7!* and tho Trench 24, ivhilo 23 have been engaged by combined Anglo-French troops. Of tho dmsio ns engaged by the British alone we have fought 28 of them twice, and one thrice, it is an. unpleasant business standing this hammering, but we must tslco a broad view, although you may want to knew what has become of Blucher. We have practically taken the strain off thfc French Army, which is larger than ours. But again I would say, there is no reason to despair."—Aus.-N.Z. GabJo Assn. FRENCH AND AUSTRALIAN TROOPS (Eec. April 18, 8 p.m.) London, April 17. French and Australian troops partook in to-day's counter-attacks—United Scrvice, ENEMY FORCED TO CHANGE HIS PLANS London, April 17. Reuter's correspondent, reviewing the situation, says that satisfaction is deducible from the reflection that this is not tho original German jlan. His objective last week was Bethunc. Ho was held there. He then tried Ilazebrouck, and was stopped there. Also he is now trying his strength in the north, but the previous two failures, and also tho Amiens thrust, justify the hope that he may bu stopped again. A disquieting feature is the evidence that he is still bringing fresh divisions from Russia, enabling him to increase tho weight of the pressure.—Beuter. ATTACK ON THE BELGIAN FRONT PUNISHING COUNTER-ATTACK. (Rec. April 18, 11.15 p.m.) London, April 17. A Belgian official communique states: "The Germans in force attacked and obtained a footing in our outpost syetom between Blaokaertpond and the Tailway from Ypres to Tnorout. Our counter-attacks • completely drove the enemy out. We' took six hundred prisoners."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. ON THE FRENCH FRONT London, April 17, I.SO a.m. A French communique states: "There- have been violent reciprocal bombardments in the Montdidier region, but no infantry action. Several attempts by the enemy on Priest's Wood wero repulsed utter snarp fighting."—Aus.-A.Z. Cable Assn. (Rec. April 19, 0.50 a.m.) London, April 18. A Fronch official communiquo states: "There were l-o infantry actions to-day. The enemy furiously bombarded our first lines and some of tho villages north of Montdidier. Our batteries effectively countered the bombardment."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.

THE GERMAN REPORT (liec. April 10, 0.5 a.m.) • i r, „• , , London, April 1". A wireless German official report states: "Wc captured Poelcapello and Langemarck, and occupied Passchendaele. Weadvanced our lines near Becolaero end Gheluvelt, stormed the village of Wytschacte, and drove the enemy "from the heights north-eastward and westward, repulsing strong counter-attacks. The enemy while retreating south-west of AVnlverghem was pressed back across the Doiive. Wo captured Bailleul and Moteron, and a stubbornly defended support , point at Cappelynde, northwards of Bailloul. Strong English forces, supported • by French forces, vainly endeavoured to recapture Moteren and the territory on both sides of the Merris. The attacks broke down with tho heaviest losses."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Ecuter. TUNING-UP ON THE SOMME Reports from the Somrno battlefront state that a general tuning-tip continues in the area east of Amiens, which is occasionally heavily shelled. German shells on Tuesday destroyed the Albert Church tower, with the famous leaning Virgin—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE PRICE OF THEIR COLOSSAL ATTEMPT VON HINDENBURG GIVEN LIMIT OF A MILLION AND A HALF LIVES. (Rec. I'VpriJ 18, 5.5 jj.m.) Washington, April 17 Information from Germany shows that Von Hindenburg is willing to suffer H million casualties in his attempt to achieve a victory. The Socialist and militarist leaders had previously reached an agreement tliat no political complaints would be made until that total has been exceeded. German militarism is now warned that the price is likely to be more costly. Whatever truth may be in the allegations, the Americans are preparing for a long war, and making sacrifices and preparations undreamed of a few months back.—"The Times." GERMAN RESERVES FROM RUSSIA. London, April 17. The 'Times" correspondent declares that Germany can draw reserves from I Russia for months.—"The Times." FILLING THE BREACH ON THE SOMME HOW THE AUSTRALIANS AND NEW ZEALANDERS WERE RUSHED FROM MESSINES. London, April 17. Australian and New Zealand wounded agree tiiat they have rot experienced harder fighting-. Though few have yet arrived in England out of the recent battles, there are some who helped to stop the first rush on the Somrne. They describe the suddenness of tho orders to proceed south from the Messines sector. Tha first stara was done in motor lorries, and the second by a seemingly interminable march with the momentary prospect of action. The Australian casualties are much lighter 'lian was at first anticipated. The sudden inrueli of wounded at Abbeville Hospital induced the apprehension that tho lossos were heavy. The earliest Australians to arrive on the Somme front were plunged directly into the fray. They were very exhausted after n seventeeen hours' train journey and a twelve miles' night march, but two divisions are singled out for special prais9 for brilliant work in stopping Von Hofacker's advance. The Australian brigade which distinguished itself at Messines in 1917 fought in most gallant fashion. The New Zealanders also took a splendid part in stemming the tide at a critical moment.—Aus.-N.Z., Cable Assn. A LACHRYMOSE CORRESPONDENT London, April 17. The "Daily News' Parliamentary correspondent says there is a feeling among the Moderate Liberals that something has gone wrong at the front. There is a mystery regarding the uso of reserves. The Liberals dnnand closer touch , between tho members of the House of Commons and tho Cabinet, and insist on an explanation of the conflicting Ministerial - 6tatemenits.—Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn. WILL THE GERMAN FLEET CO-OPERATE? FRESH RUMOURS OF A SALLY. London, April 17. The "Daily Chronicle 1 ' states that (here are indications that a eallv by tho German Fleet is in contemplation. There ia more in the Herman nur.p-la.ying operations than meets the eye, as the Cattegat is the line of voireat if the fleet leaves the Bight of Heligoland. Tho military parly now determines the action of the fleet, which is regarded as the Army's right wing. Two battleships, two battle-oruisers, and many light cruisers,destroyers, and submarines have'been added to the German Navy sir.ee the Battle of Jutland.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE LONG-RANGE BOMBARDMENT OF PARIS. Paris, April 17. The long-range gun to-day killed 11 and wounded 36 people— Aua.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SIX WEEKS' WORK B\' THE FRENCH BOMBING 'PLANES. , Paris, April 17. During tho sis weeks since March 5 French aeroplanes have dropned 330 tons of bombs on the enemy's lines, as compared with f>ss tons in the whole of 1917.—Au5.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GENERAL FOCH'S AUTHORITY 'Eec. April IS. 8 p.m.) London, April 17. In the House of Commons, Mr. Macpherson (Under-Secretary of State for War) stated that General Foch had no power over the appointment or removal of any British officer.—Reuter.