PERCIVAL PHILLIP’S STORY.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 May 1918, Page 2

PERCIVAL PHILLIP’S STORY.

GREAT lIAILRASSING FIRE

A CONTINUOUS BOMBARDMENT

[PEE PBESS -ASSOCIATION. COPT EIGHT.]

(Received This Day, at 12.55. a.m.) LONDON, May C.

Mr Pcrcival Phillips writes:

There has been a liarrassing fire upon the German trenches and communications for the past three days. It had the desired effect. Wherever the cnetnv infantry or guns assembled, the. British guns punished them terribly. Movement lias been impossible. The annihilating bombardment of tho German forward area continues day and night, pounding the reliefs coming up to take over the broken trenches from the remnants of the exhausted divisions. The reliefs thus arrive at their destination, greatly weakened and demoralised. N

Prisoners admit that the reliefs have often lost their way and .drifted hopelessly over a wide area, unable to locate their units.

IN MUD OF FLANDERS

(Received this day at 12.30 a.m.7

LONDON, May 5.

Mr Phillips continues: —Every day’s delay adds to the enemy’s loss .and difficulties. Wo have not any illusions about the German plans. Despite their enormous casualties they must try to take the chain of hills behind Kemmel. T am convinced that their plans would have already materialised, hut for the British gunners. Rain added to the difficulties of the offensive, working havoc on the roads and fields in waterlogged Flanders. It takes a long period of steady sunshine to stiffen the crust enough to bear infantry and guns.

The Fourth German Army is now inhabiting broad patches of impassable ground where streams overflowed their shallow banks, and which have now be. come lagoons.

The Germans’ present front line around Ypres and Schcrpenborg is « living bog. British forays keep the enenw in a state of tension. •