OK THE WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 22 April 1918, Page 6

OK THE WESTERN FRONT.

BRITISH PATROL ENTERS BAILLBTJL. LONDON, April IS. The United Press correspondent says Two attacks in quick succession northwestward of Wulverghem, near the scene of the atempts to reach Kemmel were stopped by shell-fire, as was a charge northward of Neuve Eglise toDranoutre. The enemy’s losses in all" these efforts were heavy. General von Quas's guns, freshly arrived on the scene, were pounding to-day villages in the back areas. The area about (La Bassee Canal was gas shelled all night, and the lines of communication northward of the Lys were under constant indirect fire from machine-guns. * British guns were 1 likewise busy with intense harassing fire. The Germans are shelling Ypres intermittently, A British patrol entered Bailleul on Tuesday night and found no Germans until they reached the square in the centre of the town. A sharp fight ensued. six Germans being killed while the remainder fled down side streets. The British returned safely. I LONDON, April 18. The "Pall Mall Gazette's" war correspondent states: The enemy's hammer blows are weakening and his morale is ebbing. He is withdrawing men and munitions from distant sectors. He is figthing with the energy of despair, but no admission of failure can be expected from Ludendorff until every shed of hope has vanished, because the consequence of the gambler's throw is foreseen, A CHEERFUL OUTLOOK. I LONDON, April 18. Mr Philip Gibbs writes: The whole of our battlefront is more secure than for . several days past. We may be

justified in believing that the enemy is now held in his present positions, although he may yet concentrate more men and guns in this northern sector. There have been severe actions today in Flanders, from Wytschaete to the Forest of Nieppe," The battle goes as far south as Givenchy, strong forces persistently attempting to break through with a view of taking Kemmel Hill. They were ordered to reach this commanding point regardless of sacrifices, Other very heavy attacks were made beyond Metercn and westward of Bailleul and the ridges to the northward. CONTEST OF MAN-POWER. -Keurt/er's correspondent / at' Bri3i4h Headquarters says: The past week has been more purely a battle of infantrymen than might have been anticipated in such a war movement. Apparently .tanks, armoured cars and cavalry have not been used in action on either side. We are now down to a sheer contest of Jman-power Swaying in ceaselcjis attack and repulse, with a vital issue involved. It is an anxious problem whether our powers of endurance can wear down the repeated bull-rushes of vastly superior numbers before a decision is reached. At 4.4 this evening a French communique stated: In the region of Corberie, our fire dispersed a strong enemy detachment which was attempting to reach our lines. After heavy artillery preparation the enemy launched several coups de main in Champagne, on the right of the Meuse and east of Caurieres Wood in the direction of Damloup. We repulsed all. We made several successful raids north-east of Rheims, and in Lorraine,