FRENCH OFFICIAL REPORTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 April 1918, Page 2

FRENCH OFFICIAL REPORTS.

GREAT ENEMY ATTACK. LONDON, April 7. A correspondent reporting from tho French Headquarters states: The French during these four successive day met the shock of thirty enemy divisions. During the whole battle relief from reserves was, impossible, yet fresh German divisions wore thrown in daily. As soon as ono division gained its objective it was withdrawn and replaced. The retiring division was reinforced and rested for a few days and was then sent into battle again. The correspondent gives one of Ihe many instances of the fine stands and fierce fighting carried out by small bodies of the French against .great odds during those critical days_ To-day there is a lull, but it is expected to he of short duration.

FRENCH OPERATIONS. I.ONDX April ,7. A French communique reports last evening we rpulsed an enemy attack at Grivesnes region. There was great* reoiprocal nvtillcrv activity during the night between Mont Didier and Xovon were immediately driven 'by our counter attack. Tho Gormans have not renewed attempts in Chimney Rarissis district.

On tiie Oise front, enemy coups lie main north of Chomin ties Dames wore unsuccessful. Rhehns was very violently bombarded.

ARTILLERY PLAYS HAVOC. LONDON, April 8

A French communique states: Our artillery stopped ah attempted enemy attacks in the region of Hnngard-En-terre region. Our guns caught some concentrations of the enemy troops at various points of tho front, north of Mont Didicr. A strong German attack was made on the right of the Meuse, north-east of Hill 344, hut it was repulsed after sharp fighting. The enemy’s losses were important.

FRENCH VALOUR. 'LONDON, April 7. A French headquarters correspondent reporting on the 7 th, states that in Ihe second battle, which commenced on Thursday last, we held and repulsed the enemy in most places and inflicted heavy losses, with troops which entered the battle on the 25th March. The closing days of March were amongst the most critical in the war. The Germans had been stopped on the Oise and the Somme, but we were confronting them between Mont Didier and Moreuil with what \fasf a mere cordon, barring the way to Amiens. By tho 28 tk reinforcements were brought up, and the line re-established, hut it was held'with only three French divisions.