THE FIGHTING IN FLANDERS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 200, 13 May 1918, Page 5

THE FIGHTING IN FLANDERS

BRITISH AND FRENCH POSITIONS RE-ESTABLISHED

DESTRUCTIVE RAIDS BY THE AIRMEN

London, May 10. Sir Douglas Ha.ig reports: "On the conclusion of the fighting on Thursday morning in the La Clytte-Voormezeele sector tho French and British positions were completely re-established. The enemy, after an artillery bombardment, launched two early attacks in the neighbourhood of Albert and Bouzincourt, Our rifle and machine-gun fire broke up tho latter attack, and the cnomy did not reach our trenches. Tho enemy, after suffering heavy casualties from our firoat Albert, effected a lodgment in our advanced positions on a front of 150 yards. Out counter-attack recaptured a small portion of the front trench. Hostile artillery is active in the Sommo and Ancre Vnlloys and at different points of tho Lys battlefront."—Aus.-N.Z. Cabin Assn.-Ecu tor. (Eec. May 1,1, 0.15 a.m.) London, May 11, evening. Sir Douglas Ilaig reports: "There was local fighting in Avoluy Wood, northward of Albert. Hostile artillery was particularly active in tho Vimy and Robecq sectors and southward of Dkkebnech."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Afisn.-Reutor. (lice. May 12, 5.5 p.m. London, May 11. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "The French advanced their line slightly to the north-east ot Locre. We made successful raids westward of Merville and stopped an attempted raid to the cast of Ypres."—Ans.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Kouter. (Rec. May 13, 0.45 a.m.) London, May 11, evening. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—"We repulsed a raid in tho neighbourhood of Neuville Vitesse."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. -Router. GERMAN ATTACK COMPLETELY FRUSTRATED London, May 10. Mr. Percival Phillips writes: "Yesterday's German attack was planned on an ambitious scale, on five or six miles of front, between locre and the Ypres Canal. It was completely frustrated. It is believed that five German divisions assembled for the attack, hoping to separate the Allied forces, but our firo prevented many from leaving the trenches. The bombardment of the Ridge Wood defences completely destroyed our outpost lines, so we fell back behind tho wood, in which the Germans attempted to establish themselves. We barraged the eastern odge of the wood ot dusk, and the Seaforth Highlanders, with tho bayonet, cleared the wood before dark. The Australians havo further improved the line between the Soiume and the Ancre. Everywhere from Albert to Amiens the men are wiring and strengthening the defences."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. "HIGH MILITARY AUTHORITY'S" WEEKLY REVIEW NO IMPORTANT OCCURRENCES IN FRANCE. (Rec. May 12, 5.5 p.m.) London, May 10. A "High Military Authority" states: "Nothing of great importance has occurred in France. Tho attack in the La Clytte-Voormezeele sector was merely local. Tho Germans have put in a considerable number of fresh divisions 911 the Somrue and in Flanders since last week, and it is almost certain they will wntinue to attack the heights in Flanders and also endeavour to eapturo tho high ground in the direction of Amiens."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ENEMY FORCES BEING REGROUPED PREPARATIONS FOR RESUMPTION OF BATTLE AT THREE POINTS. London, liny 10. The Rotterdam correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" states _ that the Austrians and Germans are being regrouped 'and fresh artillery is being massed for tho resumption of battle at ut least three points-in Flanders, the Amiens salient, and the Italian front. Thero aro indications that at least two attacks will be made simultaneously. Although there are few Germans on tho Italian front, Von Lndendorff is master of the Austrian armies, and has imposed his will upon the war-sick politicians regarding tho part that tho Austrians must play. The German Staff's energies are now devoted to tho problem of developing greater speed in following up any initial success. The Generals responsible for the St. Quentin attack all attribute the final failure to the incomplete co-operation between the artillery and tho infantry. Contrary to expectation, the further the infantry advanced, tho more essential artillery,co-operation became, ns ?ho retreating troops wero always drawing nearer to their fixed batteries. The Germans are seeking fresh devices, including the application of tho tank principle jo shifting batteries. Fresh troop 3 are being subjected to extraordinarily intensive training, with special attention to open order work. All soldiers are using bombs, nnd some casualties have occuirred; but they are justified on the ground that the men aro being accustomed to the riissiles— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GREAT FORCE OF ITALIANS AT FOCH'S DISPOSAL, ifiec. May 12, 11 p.m.) New York, May 10. Official advice state that 'wo and a half millions of Italian joldeirs are now at the disposal of General Koch's reserve army. The number is increasing.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. WORK OF THE AIRMEN MANY ENEMY POSITIONS BOMBED. London, May 10. Sir Douglas Haig's report on aviation work says: "Wo dropped ten tons of bombs at Lo Cntoau, Cambrai, Bapaumo, and tho Zeebruggo docks and mole. Strenuous air fighting has occurred in the northern area. We dropped a ton of bombs during the night on the railway stations at Douai and Mareoing."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eeuter, (Roc. May 12, 5.5 p.m.) London, May 11. Sir Douglas Haig's aviation report states: "Cloudless weather on May !) enabled a full day's work to bo done. Our machines flew all day, recounoitring and photographing. Our bombers displayed great activity along tho whole front, and dropped 24 tons of bombs on oneni.v targets, including; important railway stations at Tournai, Douai, Mareoing, Chnulnes, and Cambrai, billets at Carviii, Peroiuie, and Chipilly, f.nd docks at Zeebrugge, Air fightin'' was almost continuous, and was particularly fierce towards dusk. ' Wo brought down 27 German machines and drovo down 12 others. Six British machines aro missing. Our night-fliere dropped i\ tons cf bombs on tho docks and entranc-o to tho canal at Ostend, nnd 3i tons on Peronno, Chaulnos, and Bnpau.mo. All our machines returned."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablu Ofcc. May 13, 0.15 a.f.) London, May 12. Sir Douglas Haig reports :—"Thero was great aerial activity on Friday ovening. Wo brought down eight onomy maohines, and drove down six others behind the enemy's lines. Nine of ours are missing."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.Rerutor. '

FRENCH AVIATOR DESTROYS SIX GERMAN BIPLANES. ,Eec. Hay 12, 5.5 p.m.) London, May 11. A French communique states: "Lieutenant Fonck yesterday brought down nix German biplanes, tlio first two in ten eoconds, and a third five miuutos later." -Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Ueutor. ON THE FRENCH FRONT POSITIONS AT GRIYESNES RE CAPTURED. London, May 10. A French communique states: "After an intense but short artillery preparation yesterday we captured part of Grivesnes, an important part of which tho Germane had occupied, and brought back ft largo quantity of material. In spite of lively enemy artillery fire and reconnaissance parties Which attempted to reach our new line, wo maintained the conquered positions, which wo organised." A later communiquo reports: "There is marked artillery activity on both sides on the front from Haillcs to Montdidier. , '—Ane.-N.Z. Cablo Aesn.-Eeuter. (Eec. May 12, 5.5 p.m.) London, May 11. . 'A French communique states: "In successful local operations we repelled raids on the right of tho Ailette, in the region of Massige, north < f Reims, and in the forest of Ailly."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Eouter. (Rfic. May 12, 5.5 p.m.) London, May 11. A French communique issued at 5 p.m. etates: "During the night the artillery struggle was very lively throughout the region of Grivesnes, Mailly, and Eaineval. A minor operation against Bois do Mcrouil, north-west of Orvillers, enabled us to gain an appreciable amount of ground. A countor-attack complctoIy failed. Wβ made nude eouth-east of Montdidier, north-east of Thiepscourt, and in tho Woevre."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.Jteciter. (Rec. May 13, 0.45 a.m.) London, May 12, 0.35 a.m. A French communique states:—"Aftor most violent artillery work, German shock troops gained a footing in Gavno Wood, south-west of Jlailly Eainoval, but our counter-attack drove them out w itli heavy losses, the position being completely restored."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. -E«uter. GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT London, May 10. A German official message states: "Our local attacks to the south of Dickobusch Lake were completely tuccessful. Wβ stormed strongly-fortified positions on the east bank of the Yvver Brook for a width of two kilometres. We ran into an Allied attack, which we dissipated. Tie enemy's attack was fully developed only astride the Heninghelst-Kommol Eoad. It was ropuised, together with coun-tor-attacks against ou.r new positions. We took 675 prisoners belonging to six French and two English divisions, which euffered heavily. We repulsed English advances cu the «outh bank of tho Lys and near Buoquoy. In our air fighting in the past few days wo brought down 37 onomy aeroplanes."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reutcr. • (Ew. May 13, 0.15 a.m.) London, May 12. A wireless Gorman oflioial report ad mite that tho British obtained a footing at Grivosnos Park.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Eouter.