AT BULLECOURT

Hokitika Guardian, 12 May 1917, Page 1

AT BULLECOURT

Enemy Shelters [ p.euter’s service—copyright.! LONDON, May 10. Mr Percival Phillips says that the Hind.minirg line at Bullecourt/ affords unusual shelter. Great [tunnels iuu beneath the line, which are big enough to allow rdnforceni-eints to be moved quickly. There are also'a series o; catacombs dating back to medieval times . capable of accommodating six battalions of infantry. German Cost LONDON, May 10. Keith Murdock, the correspondent at Anzac Headquarters says the Germans’ failure cost them forty per cent Our stretcher bearers and infantry have shown a great fighting spirit. Amongst the bravest have been the carriers, who repeatedly carried great loads of bombs across the open with tin finest quiet gallantry. The Australians continue to improve tlieir position. * Severe Fightirg LONDON, May 10.

Sir Dongas Haig reports as follows The fighting at Bullecourt is sever© aim* continuous. We progressed despite the enemy’s repeated costly and fruitless efforts to shake our hold on his positions in th© advanced line eastward of Gricourt and southward of Souches (River. At the latter place we captured a portion of the German: front and support lines.

Further Report.

LONDON, May 10.

Sir Douglas Haig reports that we advanced our line slightly this morning on the southern bank of tlie Scarpe. The enemy at noon renewed their attacks on our positions on the Hindenbjurg line eastward of Bullecourt, but were completely repulsed. F'mother iab nigbt time near Fresnoy were equally unsuccessful.

There \\ as severe air fighting on Wednesday. Eleven German machines were brought down. Five of ours are missing.

French Repcrt [BEUTEB’S BEBVXCE. — COPYBIGHT.J BARIS, May 10th. A French communique states: South of the Oise we carried out destructive antillerying against German batteries at ©egotsain Forest There is great artillery activity at Chernin des Dantes We repulsed several counter attacks in the Cherreux region. A local operation resulted in our capturing a German trench and prisoners north-west of Rite inis. LONDON, May 10. A French communique states: The eheniy ift night attempted ibfantry actions at various points at Chemin ass Dames all of which broke down. Minor operations enabled us to extends our gains on the northern slopes 01 Vauclere plateau where we took prisoners belonging to fresh divisions recently arrived.) An artillery deul continued fairly lively on all these sectors. French Progress.

LONDON, May 11. A French communique reports: There has been cannonading northeast of Soisons and Chimin dcs Dames. By local operations we carried a system of trespehes north of Saucy. Fresh enemy attempts to expel us from the trenches which wo captured at Chcvreux on May Bth. were shattered by our barrage and machine-guns. We progressed north-west of Prosnes.

A Long War. (Australian &N.Z. (KHe Atsooiation and Beottr). LONDON, May 10. Colonel Repimgton declares there are mo military reasons to anticipate an early end of tho war. The Empire must legislate for a lon gwar. ‘lne deciding factor now is the resolution of the belligerent peoples. Will the British democracy allow history to say tl»ey failed at the eleventh hour All depends on their answer.

AT SALONIKA. Heavy Fighting (Australian & N Cable Association). LONDON, May 10. A British Salonika reports says: After several days artillerying wo, on Tuesday, made a night (attack on enemy trenches south-west of Lake Doiran on a four-mile front. We captured one of the left trenches two miles in length and a depth of live hundred yards, and consolidated the positions. We captured on the right trenches a mile long between Lake Petiteouronne. The enemy, however, heavily counterattacked on this part of the front, and after determined fighting we were forced back by superior numbers.

A Conspiracy. SALONIKA, May 10. A conspiracy has been discovered to assassinate 31. Venizelos. Nine persins have been arrested. They confessed they were acting under instructions from the secret committee or military and politicians.

French Report LONDON, May 10. A French Macedonian communique reports: In tho region of Vetreniteh aiid the upper valley of Moglenitza, the Serbians captured two points d’appui in the Oma bend. •• The Russians captured some trenches by assault op tho Yardar,.