WAR NEWS.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 19 April 1917, Page 3

WAR NEWS.

MONDAY. British in Lens—Astride Hindenburg Line—Allies Encircling St. Queatin — Two Hospital Ships Sunk. British forces have entered Lens. The British line is now two or three miles east of Vimy Ridge. The front of the offensive was extended on Friday as far north as the battlefield of Loos. British forces are now astride of the Hindenburg line at a point seven miles south-east of Arras. The joint attack by British and French on St. Quentin has made further progress. The British have captured positions within a few hundred yards of the city. i Two hospital ships have been sunk in the English Channel. The Gloucester Castle was attacked by a submarine without warning on March 30, and its destruction is officially acknowledged by Germany. All the wounded on board, 450 in number were saved. The Salta was sunk by a mine last Tuesday when outward-bound for France. Five medical officers, nine nursing sisters, and 38 members of the R.A.M.C. are missing.

TUESDAY The Attack on — Enemy's Stand in Suburbs — Fighting on Belgian Front — America's War Activity. Accounts by correspondents indicate that British troops are in possession of the southern suburbs of Lens, but the Germans are making a stand in the western suburbs. A determined attack was made on Sunday morning against the British line astride the BapaumeCambrai road. After heavy fighting, the Germans gained a foothold in Lagnicourt, but the village was quickly recovered by the Australians. Artillery activity on the whole Belgian front is reported. The Belgians penetrated the enemy's second line of trenches at Dixmunde. In a message to the American people, Mrs Wilson declares that t they must supply foodstuffs foi" the allies, which are their supreme need, in spite of all difficulties. Mr Wilson says the navy is being rapidly placed on a war footing, and the Government is about to create and equip a great army.

WEDNESDAY French Offensive—Attack in Champagne—Ten Thousand PrisonersNew Austrian Peace MoveOverture to Russia. A great offensive has been launched by the French armies ' in the Champagne. Attacking on a front of about 25 miles, they captured the German first-line positions from Soissons to Craonne. A few miles north of Rheims the line has been oarried as far as the Aisne Canal, and at one point beyond the Canal. Already over 10,000 prisoners have been captured. A statement has been issued by the Austro-Hungarian Government proposing that Russia should conclude a separate peace with the Central Powers, Upwards of 14,000 prisoners and 195 guns have been captured by the British forces during the past week. Heavy losses were sustained by the Prussian Guards, who attempted to hold Lagnicourt against the Australians. They were driven back against their own entanglements, and under rifle fire and shrapnel. In reprisal for the attacks on hospital ships, a large squadron of British and French aeroplanes bombarded Freiburg, the principal town in Baden. Many bomb,s were dropped, w,ith good results.

THURSDAY French Sqc<?essess — E>iteiisio,n of Offensive—Enemy Positions Captured;— More Prisoners Taken— Progress on British FrQnt, The Frenoh offensive was extended to the region east of Rheiras on Tuesday. The new attack has gained further successes, the enemy positions hay-ing-been carried on a wide front, while the village of Auberive and its protecting salient were also captured. East of Craonne, the enemy withdrew in a panic fron; i the first line; and, ' after ' further bombardment, the infantry secured the second line. Progress has bsen made at several points' on the British front qotably in, the regiqn of Bavrin'court %ood 'and Epehy, on the Qambrai-Sfc.Quenfcin line. Pressure is being' maintained agajqst fch c defences of Leu,