WESTERN ATTACK.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 April 1917, Page 5

WESTERN ATTACK.

STILL GOING STRONG,

SIR DOUGLAS HA'G'S REPORT. Received April IP 8.10 p.m. London. April 12. field Marshal Sir Douglas llaig reports:—We stormed (he villages of Ilenmel and Wancouvl, with the adjoining defences, crossed the Cojeul river and occupied the heights on the cast bank. There has been further progress northward of Scarpe and eastward of Vimy ridge. Gain* are reported this morning northward of Vimy ridge, where we secured a position and strengthened it. During the fighting on Monday and Tuesday we toy); prisoners from ail the infantry regiments of -,ix German divisions. The aerial squadrons on both sides are active. We downed 13, while six of ours are missing. A French communique, states that reciprocal artillevying is taking place south of the Oise region and north u', the Aisne. The weather is had. Sir Douglas Haig reports: The weather i=, wet and stormy. We attacked this morning <uid captured two important positions northward of the Vimy Ridge astride the Souehez River, taking prisoners. We drove off two night attacks on the northern end of the Vimy Ridge with heavy German losses. VVc pro-gre-:sed south of the Scarpe River. Paris, April \2. There, is much admiration here for the new British tactics, whereby the front attack has widened as the'attack has progressed, instead of narrowing as previous Allied offensives have done. Thus it is now impossible for the enemy to jmake flank attacks, as no salient is'pro[duced. The British front has been doubled in two day>|. like the opening of a fan. Its left commands tha Doimi plain, the centre is within seven miles of Dotiai, and the right dangerously threatens the German lines with' envelopment. The whole is progressing toi wards Lens.

M. Marcel TTutin says that the gen., eral commanding a Bavarian infantrv ai' vision tore up in a rage a report ask ! n» Prince Rupproeht for reinforcements when British Tommies entered his shelter and took- the general and his entire staff prisoners. The incident indicates the extent of the Germans' surprise.