THE WESTERN FRONT

Hokitika Guardian, 17 April 1918, Page 3

THE WESTERN FRONT

[per PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.]

OFFICIAL REVIEW

OP THE BATTLE POSITION

(Reuter’s Telegram.)

(Received This Day at 11.2.3. a.m.) LONDON, April 16. A 3.50 turn. British headquarters correspondent’s report says that last evening the Germans attacking heavily at various parts of the northern battle, areas gained some ground. Their most important advance is the occupation of Baillenl, following their re-entry into Neuve Eglise. They maintained a steadily increasing pressure along tin. front, practically all the Way between Neuvo Eglise and Melte.rn. Towards evening, under cover of a tremendous Immbardment, the infantry advanced in'-Uie usual dense waves. Our troops fought Stubbornly, but overwhelming numbers forced them to yield ground. Desperate fighting was continued all night.

Our artillery shelled the eneiuv continuously. It is certain His attempt, to advance towards the ridgo system will he sfinepnously contested. /His gains hitherto have all been in the dead levply of Flanders and although it is futile to pretend his success is no matter of'much concern, yet it has brought tho smallest tactical advance proportionate to its extent.

Bailleul stands astride of wliat was an important artery in the communications with places now occupied by the Germans.

There was a considerable hostile infantry movement all day along ha Bas-see-Estaires road. Our aeroplanes incessantly skimmed over the columns inflicting heavy casualties. South of the Somme, the enemy nrtpildry was slightly more active. It is reported that, enemy infantry is concentrating south of Bois do Ilnugnrd. . REPTNGTON HOPEFUL. (Received This Dav at IT To am ) LONDON April 16.

Colonel Repin gton is of opinion that our strategical position i 3 not exactly brilliant, hut he estimates thnl a quarter of the entire German forces <>n the British front are used up, while General Foch’s French reserves have not yet given a sign of life. A BIG ESTIMATE. 'Received ' This Dn-v ar II ‘i.n’A LONDON April 16. ’ The/‘Daily News” expects the onom.* losses to total 1,400,000.

THE GALLANT 55ths

(Received This Dav at 11 a.m LONDON. April 16

General Haig in a supplementary Dispatch, deals with gallant fighting ol the Fifty-fifth Division, comprising West Lancashire Territorials. Oil April 9th when holding a front of six thousand yards from La Basse Canai to southward of lteicbebourg Lavone, where the line joined the Portuguese, tho enemy attack on the southern portion of this front was delivered by three regiments well up to their strength. A captured engmv army order says three regiments will he opposed. at most by six companies in the front line, and two reserve battalions. It describes the Britishers compos- i the fifty-fifth as having lost heavily in Somme, Flanders and Cambrai, fighting, and as a division fit toehold a quiet sector, as it was below average quality. General Haig says if the enemy expectation was a supposition, it was •• 1 verv serious. It was badly disappointed, as the 55ths beat off all the early attacks in the forward line, and maintained its line intact. When they learned that the Germans had broken through the Portuguese on their leit, the Fifty-fifths formed a deiensive flank and maintained this new line, practically unchanged until relief came though they had six days of almost, continuous fighting, during which they beat off repeated attacks with the heaviest of losses to the enemy, and taking nearly a thousand prisoners. ' General Haig describes how further fierce fighting, including a heavy bombardment on the whole front occupied by the Fifty-fifths, was followed by an attack in strength and concludes, the enemy were again repulsed with heavy losses by the most gallant and most successful defence of the division which he had been pleased to describe as counting of seoodd class troops.