WAR NEWS.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 2 May 1918, Page 3

WAR NEWS.

MONDAY. Advance Arrested—Fierce Battle In Flanders—Germans Retain Mont Kemmel—Line Restored in Amiens Sector — Destroyer Action in Adriatic, The loss of Mont Kemmel is described by the British high military authority as serious but not decisive. He says it is perfectly possible to hold Ypres but it might not be convenient to do so. He points out that so far the enemy has ' gained only tactical successes and not a strategical success. Reports issued by Sir Douglas Haig on Saturday, subsequent to the withdrawal from Mont Kemmel, state that the enemy's advance has been arrested ,at all points. All attacks against the new defensive line were repulsed The enemy fiercely attacked the. village of Locre, three miles north-west of Bailleul. After three failures he carried the \ village, only to be again ejected by a French counter-attack. Following the fierce fighting on the Somme at Rangard-en-San-terre andVillers-Bretonneux, the British line was advanced and 900 prisoners taken. The Admiralty report that two British destroyers engaged and put to flight five Austrian destroyers in the Adriatic. TUESDAY New Line at Ypres—British Front Adjusted— Further Attacks Expected—Main Effort in FlandersExtension of French Front. A readjustment of the British line east of Ypres is reported. A review of the situation from London anticipates that the enemy, abandoning his efforts at Amiens and Arras, has decided to employ his full strength in the endeavour to strike northwards through Flanders. Further and more furious attacks are pre~ dieted, the aim being to make Ypres salient and the country round Poperisghe untenable. Sir Douglas Haig reports that an attack was developing on Sunday afternoon in the neighbourhood of Locre, west of Mont Kemmel. Apart from this the day was marked only by local engagements, together with heavy enemy bombardments on the Ypres sctor.

The line held by the French south of the Somme has been extended. The situation in the south of the French operations is described as re-established, and in the north as improving rapidly There has been artillery activity north of the Avre and between Lassigny and Noyon.

WEDNESDAY Attacks Defeated—Great Battle in Flanders —Enemy's Heavy Sacrificee—Allied Defence UnshakenAmericans East of Amiens. Following an intense bombard--'ment, the enemy on Mondayattacked the British and French lines from Meterin, two ,miles west of Bailleul, toZillebeke, two miles south-east of Ypres. The British forces repulsed every attack, inflicting very heavy losses and did not yield ground any where. The enemy also attacked the Belgian lines north of Ypres, only to be repulsed with heavy casualties after sharp fighting. Reuters correspondent states that Monday's fighting resolved itself into an enveloping movement by the enemy on the range of hills extending from Mont Kemmel to Mont dcs Cats, afteiwards changing to a direct attack on Scherpenberg, the first of these heights. No success was aohieved anywhere and terrible losses were inflicted. The day was all to the glory of the British and French arms. The British forces in France have taken over a sector of the line east of Amiens. THURSDAY Allied .Confidence—Crisis in Flanders Over —Infantry Attacks Cease —Advance in Mesopotamia— Towns and Prisoners Taken. A review of the Flanders situation states that the greatest confidence now prevails that every future enemy advance will be small and costly. The most critical period in the north is over. The enemy now finds it more costly to advance a 100 yards than it was previously to take a mile of new ground. No infantry action took place on the Flanders front on Tuesday, a period of quiet following Monday's heavy fighting, A considerable advance ' was made in Mesopotamia, east of the Tigris, by the British forces between April 27 and 29. The enemy was forced back rapidly on the road leading from Bagdad to Mosul. Twq towns were taken while the captures included over--800 prisoners and much warmaterial,