the western front

Hokitika Guardian, 12 April 1918, Page 3

the western front

[FEU FBESS ASSOCIATION. —COPTIUQHT

SACKED GROUND,

ELOPES DISSIPATED

Received, this day at 8.45 a.m. LONDON, April 11

The German attack upon a front extending northwards of yesterday’s fighting included the Messines-Wytscliete sector, where the Australians spent the winter strengthening defences. They put in a prodigious amount of •work, and were convinced they could make the sector one of the tidiest on the front. Frequent Australian raids kept the enemy on tenter hooks. Ihe Australians were certain ; if I he Germans were foolish enough to attempt to attack from their low positions they would give the attackers a terrible ie- . caption, but the conditions have changed in the past three weeks. The Australians evacuated the sector to take up with the New Zealanders, a more active share in the immediate fighting wheat I the pressure was greatest. Doubtless I the Germans were compelled to pay I heavily for the recapture of the high ground at Messines which is almost sacred ground to the 'New 1 Zealand- I ers and Australians.

expert explanations. (Received This D»*VV ’ LONDON, April 11. A 7-50 a.m. message says it is estimated the Germans in the Armentieres battle used at least eight divisions again two British and one Portuguese. The Germans throughout Tuesday night made desperate efforts to seize flic river crossings at Estaires and at the j back of St. Maur. The storm troops were all thrown back at dawn, though they forced a • passage at KOn '° points during Wednesday. They also crossed the Lowe at Lestrem, where later they were thrown back. We still hold the I crest of Messines’ ridge, though we have I lost part of the eastern slope. If Armentieres must be evacuated, the, Geimae.-> I will only secure a mass of ruins. Much greater danger is the threat against tne I Lys rivet. I

A GREAT BATTLE

INTENSE FIGHTING CONTINUES

POSITION LITTLE CHANGED

(Received This ' LONDON, April It.

A 3.45 p.m. official message says there was fierce fighting all night. Ihe Germans penetrated La Creche, near Baillened, and also Nieppe, where they were driven out. They were also expelled from the western half of Ploegsteert Wood. There were determined hand-to hand encounters at Messines and Wytßchate, which were taken and retaken several times; but the Germans were finaaly driven out. There was similar scenes at Steenwerck.

In a 2.10 p.m. report, General Haig reported the battle was continuing on the whole front from La Bassee Canal to Ypros-Comines Canal. Severe fighting occurred in the neighbourhood of Lowe and Lys canals, from about Listrein to Armentieres. We have withdrawn from Armentieres, which is full of gas. Ihe situation is little changed northward or Armentieres. Heavy fighting was continuing at a late hour last night in thW neighbourhood of Ploegsteert, Messines and Yytschaete.

TERRIFIC GERMAN ONSL.'I" P

SMASHED BY BRITISH. This Dav at 12.25. 0.m.) LONDON April 11. A terrific German onslaught t wards Hollebeke bas been smashed-

FRENCH OPERATIONS. {Received This D->v at I'.' *’ LONDON April 11

A 3.3.5. p.m. evening French eomiminique says our artillery dispersed a detachment in the region of Orvillers, before it reached our lines. Enemy attacks on advanced posts east- of Sounin in Champagne and the forest of Anromont failed. Two enemy aeroplanes were downed by machine gun fire.