MR P. ROBINSON’S ACCOUNT.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 April 1918, Page 3

MR P. ROBINSON’S ACCOUNT.

A “NO-SURRENDER” CIRY.

A VIVID DESCRIPTION.

LONDON, April 27. Mr Robinson gives a vivid description of the fighting at Remind Hill. An intense bombardment commenced at midnight and continued till four in the morning. I The attack was delivered on a wido front near to Wytscßaete, which was held by tho British and along the front to Ivemmel and west of Dranoutre which was held by tlic"French. Penetration seems to have been made jvt two points simultaneously at the Fra neo-British junction east of K.e,mfi'.el and through the French lines . west The enemy pouring in on both sides surrounded Remind and cut orr the <mt nson , Fighting certainly continued bit the Hill crest for seven to eight lo urs. till the middle of the afternoon. The garrison had sworn never to give no Remmel alive, so one can only roughly pictude the scene as tho Germans swarmed up the Hill. Th« • Frenchmen were taken on both flanks and the rear, and fought while tho lessening numbers gradually reduced the area, finally only the hilltop was crowned with the blue as defenders, facing all ways, they made their last stand. When all will know and believe that the last fight of the French at Remmel and their stand, was one of the most stirring episodes of the war. Remmel is the first chain of isolated lulls running eastward of Mont des Canttes and Gasset, each dominating and giving observation to a wide aioa. of country. Meanwhile our line as fallen back between Remmel to the next height at Scherpenbcrg and thence north-east to Vierstraat, thence cast to Grand Bois near Wytsehacte. > From the left to here our line is held under very hard fighting. The enemy had penetrated a thousand yards, south-west of Wvtschaete before the Royal Scots front line knew the battle had begun, and further north the Camerons held the line through nine hours of savage fighting till ordered to fall back and conform with our new positions. The Scottish troops including the Black Wn teh. inflicted, extremely heavy casualties and, captured many prisoners., Mr Robinson states that' our new light tanks are wonderfully effective. The crew of one got' amongst two Germans battalions,. and declare they killed a thousand. Their speed enables them to run down and crush masses of the enemy

A military OPINION. (Received This Day at 9.H0. a.m.) LONDON, April 28.

Military critics find satisfaction in the fact that the Germans are not progressing rapidly jpast Kcmmel. The enemy will find increasing difficulties if they endeavour to continue their thrust directly westward, encountering the next height in the chain, namely, Mont de Cats, where there is a Trappist -Monastery. It is likelier the enemy will endeavour to advance north, easterly, which movement will make Ypres untenable, but -our resistance, like a buffer, is becoming stronger as we are pressed back. ' Australians and New Zealanders know every inch of this country. Practicaly the whole of the Australian and New Zealanders forces raided and fought for many months past along the line which is now in the enemy’s hands, between Armcntieres and Ypres. THE KAISER’S ADDRESS. (Received. This Dav at 8.of), a.m.' AMSTERDAM, April 28. The Kaiser, addressing his troops in Flanders, said our victories should convince our enemies that we cannot he subdued by arms, and blockades. » Our digging their graves.

GERMAN LOSSES. {Received This Dav at 10.15. a.m ) COPENHAGEN, April 28.

Von Salzmann writing in tho “Vossische Zeitung” says rumours are current that the German losses are so colossal that they will be unable to continue the offensive. The rumour was even spread by members of the Reichstag. General Wrisberg, stated in the Reichstag,, that up to the 31st March, the number of Germans missing" or prisoners was 664,104, whereof 236,676 were prisoners in France, 119,000 in England and 157,000 in Russia and Roumania. Wisberg said he was unable to state the losses in the present offensive. Stueenklen, a Socialist member, declared Socialist soldiers were placed in tlie most dangerous posts, and were not allowed to read Socialist newspapers. Groeber, a member of the Centre expressed dissatisfaction on behalf of Alsace Lorraine soldiers, who were badly treated. •

Wrisberge admitted that strictness with the latter was necessary, because there were so many traitors.

GERMANY’S LOSSES. 1 ■ AMSTERDAM, April 28. Latest advices from Germany indicate the ghastly losses in the western offensive are arousing a feeling against militarism-.