UNITED PRESS REPORT.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 April 1918, Page 2

UNITED PRESS REPORT.

THE FIGHT FOR AURAS. DEAi/I.Y SLABOUTER. LONDON April 1

The United Press correspondent says the first | attack on Arras and A iniy Ridge cost the enemy of the heaviest. The First Guards reserve regiment lost in officers/ alone, their colonel, and nine others killed, and twenty-one wounded.

Several British batteries fired for long periods with open sights, cutting long lanes through the Germans. The machine guns went at full speed simultaneously one gun mowed down 450. The targets were so perfect that officers sniped with rifles and others killed Germans with revolvers.

The battle was never in doubt, the British singing as they fought. I recently mentioned certain units of youngsters sallying out at night, who fought, their way through the German lines and back again. These were Canadians

The armoured cars units crews lost heavily hut refilled instantly with volunteers. Four oars engaged and routed German cavalry near Lem otic. THE GERMAN HOPE. TO DIVIDE ALLIES. ’ LONDON April 1.

|The Press Bureau predicts that the great new attack will he in a totally different direction, and if true, they will find the Allies ready to meet it in the same spirit. A special correspondent with the French says that .developments on the northern front show that the Germans adhere to the hope to divide the Allies and then with a great rolling-up_ movement capture the. armies supplies between Ypres and Boulogne, and make his way towards Calais. The sturdy confidence of the French is founded on the knowledge that the question of strategical co-ordination has been settled between file French, and British High Commands, thus ensuring a most effective 1 unity of operr ations throughout. When the Germans deliver their reinforced general •attack they, will find the Allies consolidated and strengthened ready to make the initiative of the widest counter-at-tacks and will be able to choose the time and the place.

HINDENBRG HESITATING. LONDON AprilJl. A message from the United Press correspondent states that von Hindeuburg is hesitating. His Generals have obviously reported that the annies have been too badly mauled to undertake another general forward movement until they have rested and have been reinforced and backed by ample artillery. I- " ; It is estimated that there are fifty divisions between Arras and Moreuil. Fifteen of these had such a drubbing that they are unfit for immediate use. The built iof the Germans are still northward of the Somme. A second blow against Arras and Vimy is likely, but the severest fighting 'is coming towards Amiens. In the meantime the Germans are sparring for positions and gaining time to replace their groggy divisions.

RELIEF TO FRENCH. Received, this dnv at 8.45 a.in. LONDON April 2,

The “Morning Post’s” correspondent on the French front says after ten days of waiting, the reserves have now arrived. L have never seen a greater movement behind the lines. The roads are a mass of heavy guns, seventy-fives trench mortars, ammunition wagons, and supplies. In addition there were the troops who were taken where they were most sorely needed.

A feeling of relief swept over the country when it was known that Amiens had not fallen. ■ i

Tt is now recognised that the Allies efforts have produced amazing results because they prove that Germany instead of pressing home the attack lias been compelled to yield ground which they bad gained at enormous cost.