PERCIVAL PHILLIP’S STORY.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 April 1918, Page 2

PERCIVAL PHILLIP’S STORY.

GREAT GERMAN DEFEAT. IN ATTACK ON AURAS. (Receiver!. This t)av at 8.50. a.m.) LONDON, April 2.

Mr Percival Phillips says at least ten divisions were engaged ‘in the Arras battle on the 28th. It was such a complete failure that the enemy have not yet been able to renew the attack. The barrage, with which the attack began at three o’clock, shuffled about in an unusual way, nosing out one post after another.

Gas shells sought the batteries. Our furthest garrisons hung, on until all were dead, or were over-run in the front. Emm some nests, which had been a cornuany strong, only one man staggered back, and a mere handful <>l survivors from another, hut this was only the enemy’s preparatory effort. Our “ heavies " shelled the coiieea. tration places at li. 10, badly cutting up the shock troons. which ;wc,re massing. We withdrew to the main line of defence. from which wo met the principal German waves, weighted like pack mules, and moving uneasily, among the craters and tangled wire. When men fell, they never rose again, but- lay helpless under their cumbersome kit. and their comrades tripped over them, to meet their own death. The attacks continued all day. The German staff, in desperation, launched fresh waves at noon and early in the afternoon, refusing to recognise failure till sunset. The attackers’ total advance was barely three miles.