BATTLE FOR ARMENTIERES

Hokitika Guardian, 12 April 1918, Page 2

BATTLE FOR ARMENTIERES

THE POSITION REVIEWED. LOSS ON THE OISE. ADVANCE TOWARDS 'BETHUNE. LONDON, April 10. A higli military authority, reviewing the position, says that it has improved locally north of the Somme. The Australians are covering the little village of Bouzancourt, near Hamel. The French are east of the old battlefield and carried out a small withdrawal, where they were left- by the retirement of our Fifth Army, in an awkward angle. North of the Oise, the enemy, however,'cut off two battalions, securing a couple of thousand prisoners. The French fell hack on to a strong line near Ailetto. The general position of the main battle front in unchanged. The enemy is faced at the north of the gomme by a stone wall of the Third Army, against which the Germans have battled without material result, while south of the Somme ho is blocked by the arrival of French reinforcements. The Germans have therefore changed the scene to the old front between Armentieres and Both uno, where the Portuguese held the ground in the centre with the British divisions on either flank. The main attack fell on the Portuguese, and the enemy gained an area of little tactical advantage. Nevertheless, it made an awkward salient in our lines, from which may develop an attack on Armentieres on the north, and Bethune on the south, over the recovery of Givenchy, which is the gateway towards Bethune, and is of great importance. The Germans have advanced in then centre to a- depth of 5500 yards along the front of fifteen thousand yards. They were brought up by the river Lavre.

It is quite certain that the Portuguese lost some artillery ami a considerable number of prisoners. The enemy attacked with considerable force. Tli© weather is foggy ami overcast and aerial work is almost impossible. Five divisions have been identified. They probably used as many as eight. The Germans this morning attacked north of Armentieres as far as Messines front. They entered our first line between Lys and Douve, and captured a considerable part of Ploegestecrt Wood. Tliey\ were beat and repulsed on the Messines front; but they turned Armentieres into a very, awkward salient. The town itself is a long heap of ruins. Its loss is not vital, although we hope to retain it. The enemy is simply carrying out another part of his originnl programme, trying to exhaust the British Army, and hammering at it wherever a favourable chance occurs.

ENEMY’S GREAT THRUST. ALLIES PUSHED BACH. THRILLING ACCOUNTS OP FIGHTING. ARMENTIERES EVACUATED. (AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION]