FRENCH OFFICIAL REPORT.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 April 1918, Page 2

FRENCH OFFICIAL REPORT.

FRENCH SUCCESS. LONDON, April 13. A French communique dated the 13th at 4.15 a.m. states that during the night our counter-attacks in the region of Hangard-en-Santerre, completely threw back the enemy. We again possess the entire village also the cemetery. An artillery duel continues most violent in the region between Montdidier and Noyon with lively bombardments. Great patrol activity and enemy raids north of Orvillersorel and between Niette and the Aisne broke down. The enemy continues to bombard Rheims and a portion of the city is in flames. We are endeavouring to restrict the conflagration. -*

The enemy is renewing attacks at the forest of Apremont and against Boisbrule.

The Americans at Liason and our troops, shattered most of the attacks.

HOPEFUL FRENCHj VIEW. PARIS, April 12. A semi-official French report points out that the German attack on the British in Flanders was originally intended only as a diversion, liut, owing to its initial success, it has been changed in to an attack and pushed through to the full with fresh divisions

• The threatened objective is specially the mining district of Bethune. ' It is impossible to foresee the issue but it should be contemplated confidently, for the British possess a second very powerful position which they have not yet reached, and on which their resistance would be considerably facilitated.

FRENCH REPORT. PARIS April 12.

A French evening communique stated an artillery struggle • became somewhat violent during the night in .the region of Haiignrd-en-Scnterre.

French reconnaisances wore actively conducted in the sector from Noyon to Canny-sur-Metz. The French took prisoners. Fairly lively bombardments are' going on in the,region of the Oiso C-anai and the .Forest of Parroy.

THE FRENCH ATTACKED

LONDON April 13

A French communique issued at 2.25. a.m. states that following intense artillery preparation, the Germans in ‘tl(o morning attacked tile front at. Hangard-en-Santefro and Ilourge. Furious fighting lasting all day was developed by the enemy on the front at Bourgcs, but he made no progress. The Germans, biter several fruitless attacks, ceaselessly^fed in fresh troop? and entered Hangard. Counter attack* brought us back to the western pari of the village where the lighting continues. There has boon desperately active artillerying in the Novon sector

The Germans bombarhpd lUieims where several fires broke out, notably round the cathedral. The enemy , from the forest, at Apremont strongly* attacked our positions at Bois Brule and gained a footing in our .advanced' elements; A sharp counter attack by a Fro nth and American combination ejected hint Two German aeroplanes and a cop, tire balloon were felled and twolvV driven down damaged. We dropped sixteen tons of bombs on the station at St Quentin and tbaviation ground north,, of ' Mont- Didn-, The hangars were destroyed.

FRENCH SMASH. ATTACKS

LONDON, April 14

i.V French communique of the 14th. at 1.35 in the morning, says there was reciprocal artillerying north of Mont Didier. The French west of Lassimiy attacked the woods north-west of Orvillers and Sorel, (5n a front 1200 yards, and advanced several hundred yards. /

German storm troops attacking Noyon sector were caught by our fire before reaching the lines and were sanguinarily defeated.. MANY AIR COMBATS, (Received Yesterday at 11.10. p.m.) LONDON, April 14.

French aviators were most active, there being fino weather on the whole front. Chasing planes made 350 trips and fought 120 combats. Eight enemy planes were felled and twenty-three fell in their lines damaged. Five German captiv© balloons, were destroyed. Our^bombing planes, including Italian, dropped forty-eight - tons of projectiles on various stations, cantonments av'd/ convoys. Several flares and explosio t/ wore observed.