A MANVELLOUS FEAT.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 April 1917, Page 2

A MANVELLOUS FEAT.

Australians’ Great Mork(Australian &. N X. Cable Association). (Received Aprd 17, at 12 40 pm.) Sydney, April 17 Captain Bonn, cabling on the 16;h, deectib-s tha Australian attack ou tbe Hindenbsrg line as a feat that will live in history as long rs history lasts. Under machine gun fire and through such wire fortifications as werehnberto unknown, they seized two lines of trenches and captured the village of Rsincourt. Tbev then pn-diod 2,000 yards beyond Hindenburg’s lice. Here tboir wonderful effort had speut itself, the ranks being thinned to a handful of men, who were unable to keep down (he machinegau fire and the sniping of the Germans who were heavily reiufcrced, and then drove them buck. Though the Australians did not succeed, their extraordinary gallant attack had a marked effect on the progress of the troops elsewhere. PRUSSIAN GUARDS CUT UP. Australians Kill 1,500. \ (Received April 17, at 1 p.m.) London, April 16 An Australian counter thrust cat up the Prussian Guards at Langicourt, upon their own entanglement. The Australians killed no less than 1,500 of them.

Like Rais In a Trap

(Received April 17, at 1.15 p.m.) London, April 16

The Australian rifle fire, at Laguioourt inflicted a most appalling slaughter. The Prussians screamed and sought to escape like rats from a trap, until they dropped. The Evening Standard states the Australians suffered in the cheok experienced at Bullecourt ou Eastep Monday. They broke Hiudenburg’s line and went 2000 yards. The Australians were then caught in a snowstorm and were-qleprived of aircraft observation and artillery cooperation and were forced to retire. Haig’s Report. (Australian & N.Z, Cable Association and Reuter). (Received April 17, at 1.40 p.m.) London, April 16 General Haig reports having captnrad avilleyet ant village south-west of Hardioourt. Our booty captured at Souchez river wes very great. The enemy’s attack at Monohylepreux on-Saturday was moßb determined. The third Bavarian division which fought at Loos in 1915 and Leighwood in 1916, was ordered to retake tbe villages at all costs. It suffered the heaviest of loares. French Operations. London, April 16 A French communique says we continued destructive fire on the German organisation between St Qaontin and Oise. The enemy replied lively in the region north of St Quentin. We continued to progress east and south of the Oise on the plateau between Barissi and Quency, We occupied a freßh enemy point atr Dappui. The artillery duel was violent at night on the whole front including Soissons and Rheim front. After a violent artillery preparation oar detachments penetrated tha enemy lines at several pointe in Lorraine and Alsace. Our detachments reached the enemy’s eecond line at six points on the plain of Alsace and inflicted serious losses. German Report (Admiralty, per Wireless Press) London, April 16 German official—On the North bank of tbe Scarpe, northeast of Groixelles our thrust drove back tha enemy from Lagniconrt. Sanguinary losses were suffered by the Australians and we took 475 prisoners, fifteen machine guns and twenty-two guns. French attacks near Vauvaillou Chievrea failed. There is intense artillerying between Saiesons and Rheims, where infantry figntiug has developed on inside sectors. French storming attempts in Lorraine and Plain of Burgatdy failed. Between Soissons and Verdun the enemy lost eleven aeroplanes yesterday. Wellington, April 17 The High Commissioner reports London 16th April at 8.30 a.m.:— A German official reports that io addition to the sanguinary losses the Australians have euffered, must be added the leas of 475 prisoners. Fifteen machine guns have been brought in, also 22 guns have been captured or rendered useless by explosion.

Balfour Arrives Washington, April 16 Hon A, J. Balfour has arrived. Joyful Italians. Rome, April 15 There was intense enthusiasm prevailing at the banquet to celebrate Americas entry mto the war.