WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 10 April 1917, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

BIG OPERATIONS PROCEEDING. jj?! LONDON, April S. The large number of aerial encounters fought on Friday supports the "Standard's" statement that a great bombardment of the German lines has commenced preliminary to big operations which will show by the end of the week whether the German arc willing to accept a decisive battle. Advice from a German source state that General von Hindenburg is gravely dissatisfied at the poor leadership shown by Prince Ruppreeht of Bavaria and other generals during the retreat. The line fixed for the limit of the retreat is already so seriousty compromised that it is expected that the enemy will fall back on another line not yet sufficiently fortified. The military critic of the ' 'Munichuer Abendzietung' ' does not coneeal his astonishment that the German retreat continues beyond the point fixed by the General Staff. A French official communique reports; intermittent artillery arid''patrol .[encounters between the Sbmme andjAisne. Intheregion of Lombartzj'de'b'ur troops penetrated at twenty points'enemy posiTt'tioifs, ferid found numerous German " Corpses in the trenches wrecked by our 1 -fire". 'Enemy' 'surprise- attacks in the re•gibns of Celles and Largitzcn, in Alsace, were easily'repulsed.:-'-A HUNNISH BRUTALITIES. : " LONDON, April 9, Newspapers publish remarkable pri.vateletters, the peasants 'f, return to. reconquered France All smells cf the Boche,,,you cannot mistake it. V" it- is ;i.wful passing thr.wgli the scenes r of desolation —villages smouldering, % etiurcnes blown up, cemeteries deseerat- '' ed, !and peasants' furniture scattered ' outside the ruined cottages. 1 ' All males between fifteen' and sixty,, besides' 're--' bust women, have been carried off. Men' are compelled to salute Hun officers, removing caps and lowering them level with the elbow. At. frequent roll calls, as each man answered he filed past the Boche officer with uncovered head for fifteen metres before reaching him and fifteen metres after, passing him. GERMAN LINES PENETRATED EVERYWHERE. CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF PRISONERS TAKEN. Received 10.35. LONDON, April 9. General Haig attacked at 5.30 in the morning on a wide front, and penetrated the lines everywhere from southward of Arras to southward of Lens, progressing satisfactorily at all points. We i the villages of Hermits and : Hoursies in the direction of Cambrai, and penetrated Havricourt Wood, capturing Fresney and Le Pait in the direction of St Quentln. We advanced our line south and eastward of Le Verguin, A considerable number of prisoners were taken.

'A French communique states that in spite of bad weather the artillery is active. In several sectors German attacks north-west and south of Eheims failed. We advanced somewhat in the region of Maisons de Champagne. TITANIC STRUGGLE HAS BEGUN." HATG TOO QUICK FOR HINDENBURG. Received 10.25. i / / ; LONDON, April 9. i/JMx. Phillip Gibbs reports that an aton a twelve mile front was made 'Curing a Tain storm. The enemy retired to/a strong rearguard line, where they are fighting desperately. The offensive aims at wrecking the northern end of Hindenbnrg?.s line. General Haig was too quick and frustrated Hiudenburg ; s plans for retreat. The titanic conflict has begun.

SPRING OFFENSIVE STARTED. PRESENT BATTLE GREATER THAN THE SOMME. Received 11.30. NEW YORK, April 9. Mr Simms, war correspondent, slates the spring offensive is believed to have started with the Lens-Araas battle. The tanks created consternation, and the fighting was heavy in which the Canadians were involved. The main Objectives have already been gained. Airmen howcred overhead, rendering immense service. The marvellous work by the artillery protected the infantry, which struggled against sleet and the German bombardment with great gallantry. Mr Simms expresses the opinion that the present battle is greater in intensity than th e Somme operations.

THE FRENCH ADVANCE.

"HEAVY BOMBARDMENTS O 3frliS:i -■:■' 'SI 9U Mi! V •.. if.;; .

i boau gnied .ziGTTITTti &■■> ■ ''"V- ■ ~';,::, : .v . 7 -LONDON, April" %;■* . : <FreliSh communique.—There has been mutual, artillery, fire in certain sectors between the Somme and the Aisnc and in Champagne;. The Germans continue the bombardment of Rheims. FRENCH COMMANDS. PARIS, April 9. General Marchand (of Fashoda fame) has been promoted to be general of a division. General Foch remains on active service without command, being at the disposal of the War. Cabinet. VALUABLE PROGRESS REPORTED. T ' '". ." ,■' '"'^.'LONDON, April B.' Sir;'Douglas Haig reports: We made. ' considerable'"' progress on a front; of 3000 yards north 'of Lonverval. We entered the enemy's lines at,a number of points, including southeast of Ypres. Our aeroplanes carried out successful day and night bombing raids, dropping large quantities of explosives on aerodromes, s transport and a battery at Aetian. THE WEATHER IMPROVING. INCREASING ACTIVITY IN FIGHTING. British headquarters reports: The weather is improving. It is sunny and the ground is quickly drying. The change is greatly increasing activity in fighting, though the infantry have not yet reached the main German forces. Skirmishing between patrols and rearguards continues. Apart from the fighting on the Hindenburg line, we are executing innumerable raids on trenches and bringing back prisoners. LOTS OF BOCHE BABIES ABOUT. "YOU DIRTY BOCHES!" Received 9.35. LONDON, April 9. Letters show there are lots of Boche babies about. Many women left with the retiring Huns. Last night a party of Boches arrived at one place. The news spread rapidly, and the villagers collected in tbc square and hooted and yeiled at the Huns shouting, "Dirty Bodies! murderers, incentiaries. robbers, assassine, pigs!"

One old woman spat in the face of a particularly arrogant-looking Bochc officer, and exclaimed: "Dirty Boche! You told the truth for the first time when you said we should see you back; and sure enough we have.''

There was much merriment when a party of prisoners were told off to clean ip some of the filthy mess they made. "he inhabitants gathered round, jeering.