FROM OTHER SOURCES.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 April 1918, Page 2

FROM OTHER SOURCES.

HINDENBURG WOUNDED.LONDON, April 12.

According'to the “Daily Express’s” Geneva correspondent, v a telegram from Strassburg states that Hindenburg is in hospital there suffering from a slight wound (due to a bomb from an Allied aeroplane on the Western front.) FIGHTING DT THE NORTH. ENEMY SEVERELY PUNISHED. SOUTH AFRICAN’S HEROISM. SITUATION . REMAINS INDEFINITE. LONDON, April 12. Writing this evening a headquarters correspondent says that the battle of Flanders was continued, this morning in brilliant sunshine, and "a clear visibility, with a fierceness which scarcely 1 flagged since it began. The situation continues to be indefinite in many parts of a very wide bat-tle-field. Therefore only a general and incomplete outline of the position, is possible. X. rt There as been no appreciable change from Givenchy to the river-Lawe during the past twenty-four hours. *We have successfully beat off a heavy attack upon Loisne, and also repulsed, .with immense enemy losses, three attacks launched in .big waves near Neuvre Chapelle. The ground in, front of our line is strewn with corpses.

Further north our line has been with drawn to a more advantageous defensive position, about a thousand yards west of Beaupre, through Neuf Barqur and thence in a. north-westerly direct, ion to Laverbieu thus the enemy salient has become considerably more acute; though, adds the correspondent, I hear* the enemy is still pressing" on the town of Merville.

“We have been counter-attacking later south-westward frotn the direction of Bailleul and from the north towards Steenwerck, hut we did not succeed in pushing hack the enemy, although we punished him severely. The are throwing in their,, reserves in the same prodigal manner as during the opening days of the present offensive. ,s A

The prisoners unanimously agree - that the -German High Command’s object is to swamp the British, hack by sheer weight of numbers. The enemy made a determined attack along the Messines Ridge, where the South Africans were stationed, hut were rested after their splendid \ share in the recent southern fighting. They did grand work in restoring the situation on Wednesday afternoon. The enemy "succeeded in 'gaining some ground, hut the South Africans again drove him out by a spirited counter' attack in combination with British troops.

The enemy artillery opened a Heavy bombardment at 2.45 in the morning from the east/of Polegsteert, no, report has vet- arrived of the subsequent infantry action.

The German guns were also plastering the Datestrasse area early this morning.

Our artillery was kept intensely busy and our airmen in great numbers, rendered invaluable aid.

BRITISH REGAIN GROUND. .LONDON April 12. Reports on tile latest fighting show that a British counter attack regain \

cd a portion of the positions into which the enemy had ponetra'tod northwards of Fostubert. • '

Enem.v attacks on the Boisne-Lauve

front and northwards have been repiuls-

Fighting continues on the whole front., northward of the La Bassee Canal as far as Hollebeke.

A strong local attack on our posiI turns'in the neighbourhood of Neuville St. Vaast was repulsed. The enemy engaged in prolonged fighting further north. Eventually the enemy entered a . post near Tiflop-Lez-Mofflaincs, but was immediately driven out, and the post was re-established. SOMME FRONT ACTIVE. LONDON AprTT 21. There is an increase in the hostile artillery activity astride the Sommev .Reuter's Headquarters’ report states there is great enemy artillery activity in the southern area, which possibly is the herald of further infantry attacks The Bray-Corbie road was fiercely shelled from three till daylight to-day. The valley west "'of Sailley Do Sac was also under heavy fire aTl'night. The correspondents emphasise the significance of the renewed bomharume.nt on the Corbie front, and also the increasing power of the mutual cannonading on the French Front, where artillery, in the next shock will play a full part.

A f DEFINITE CRISIS. LONDON April 12

A high military authority, referring to our loss of Merville toys: We June agaih reached a definite crisis. Ho adds that the capture represents an ndvaheo of thirteen miles since W ednesdefy morning. This shows that the enemy is cmfinding thfc heaviest pressure on the direct centre of his original, attacking fttikt, south of Armentierea. Military critics state thnt this movcof the German right wing cannot be any longer regarded merely regarded Merely ns a diversion.

,There are now indications of a. big Gerfnan effort to join in contact with his columns towards the coast. Sir Douglas Haig’s despatch gives the location of some enemy advanced bodies as within seven miles of He/.ebruke. This is a railway centre which the Germans had for months shelled at a range of twenty-eight miles.

A CRITICAL, POSITION. X, . LONDON, April Id. . Mr Murdoch states that our line continues strong, Reinforcements arc moving thither, but„fuTther retreat is ck■p§cted. Even if the Ypres salient ahd Arras positions become untenable we can maintain the line, guarding the Channel? 1

At least twelve additional German divisions'have arrived from 'Russia since the ,21st March, giving an undoubted preponderance to the Germans in men. Tltesc extra forces have been used widespread. f A critical position at present, lnvadds. is that at Messines Ridge. If it were turned, the whole northern Anriy would be in the air and its communications in the gravest peril.

'MESSINES CAPTURED. , . LONDON, April 12. A high military authority reports that Messines has been captured.

CROWDED TROOP TRAINS. LONDON, April 11

Many?'crowded troop trains’have proceeded towards the coast. There is much cheering en route. Thousands of South Wales miners are voluntarily joining th e Army daily.