WESTERN ATTACK.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 April 1917, Page 5

WESTERN ATTACK.

VERY HARD FIGHTING. GERMANS CUT UP BY GUNS. SUFFER ENORMOUS LOSSES. (United Service.) London, April 25. Mr. Beach Tliomas reports that terrible encounters rage across the bar?, undulating country beyond Arras, the troops marching, charging, manoeuvre as and lighting in the open. The Germans never used greater numbers of troops in counter-attacks. Monchy was the centre of tho storm on Monday. The counter-attacks from tho Bois-du-Sart and Bois-du-Vert were shattered and broken by a terrific concentration of British heavy artillery. The miserable remnants of the Germans in the Bois-du-Sart did not dare to debouch, but the Germans in tlio Bois-du-Vert persisted, despite the most bloody losses, and succeeded in driving us back a few hundred yards. Later wo re-attacked, and forced the German storming party from the most important places, while the enemy emptied shells into Monchy, blowing up tho village till only a few skeleton houses remained. We captured Gavrelle village after slight resistance, tho Germans surrendering easily ,J)ut immediately afterwards they hurled away masses of fresh troops in vain attempts to recapture it. Two battalions, unable to face tho shell fire, bolted across the open, where the creeping barrage almost annihilated them. There was very stern fighting at Guemappe, where fierce counter-attacks temporarily drove us back. Subsequently wo renewed the battle and restored the village to us. We found very cellar blown to pieces by shell fire. The Germans have never lost more men since tho battle of the Somme. Their shell fire fatalities, were unusually high. The fighting continues fiercely. ' The Germans are bringing the Guards, and other picked troops, massing batteries and pouring shells on the Scarpe River to arrest our advance. The battle fronts are without definition; there are no straight continuous lines or regular trenches. The enemy is endeavouring to conceal his losses by removing or concealing the dead.

Orders have been found on raptured men. at Douaumont demanding moro French civilian workers from the German commandants of certain villages. This proves that slave labour is definitely incorporated in the German army system.

Sir Douglas Haig reports.—We captured the hamlet or Bilhem, north-east, of Trescault, during the night. Fighting occurred early this morning alone our front between the Cojeul and Scarpo rivers. Wo made further progress, and secured the ground gained. We have taken 3029 prisoners, illeluding 56 officers, since April 23. Wellington, April 20. The HLgl.. Coininissiottjr reports under date,' London, April 25 (3.15 p.m.):

A. French official report says: —ln the region of the Aisne we made progress south-eastward of Cerney-en-Laonais taking some prisonors. A German attack, after a violent bombardment, in tho environs of Hr.rtel>iee and tho plateau of Vauolere was stopped dead by our fire. In Champagne we likewise made progress, taking prisoners and one gun.

Rotterdam, April 25. Two German aeroplanes twenty miles north of Zeebrugge brought down a British airship 1 There were eight men in the car.

THOUSANDS OF GERMAN DEAD. ON SCARPE BATTLEFIELD. GOOD AERIAL WORK. Received 'April 28, 6.60 p.m. London, April 25. Sir Douglas Haig reports: We slightly advanced our lino to-day southward of the Scarpe river, and found many thousands 'of German dead on the battlefield we now occupy. The fine weather on Tuesda faqilitated many successful ir raids, and the bombing of railway junctions, aerodromes, billets, munition dumps. Fifteen German aeroplanes and two balloont were domed; six British machines are _j using. "*A wireless German official message asserts that three British attacks northward of Monchy were repulsed with heavy losses. STRENUOUS STRUGGLE. EBBING AND FLOWING. THE DAUNTLESS WORCESTERS. Received April 26, 0.6 p.m. London, April 25. Mr. Philip Gibbs writes: The battle between Scarpe and the Sensee is ebbing and flowing in an extraordinary manner. Several British units were rescued after holding nt in the most gallant manner in isolated posts. A party of Worcesters were foodless and waterless for several days, but did not surrender. The Germans have already mnde eight counter-attacks on Gavrelle, bu all were broken before they reached our .lines. " A GERMAN STORY. ~ BDLGARS AND BRITISH. Received April 26, 3.5 p.m. London, April 26. A wireless German official message stages: The fighting for Gavrelle continued since yesterday morning southward of Scarpe. The British attack on a wide front on both sides of the. Arras.Cambrai road, broke down after violent hand-to-hand lighting, with heavy losses. We made prisoners of 650. On Monday we destroyed several tanks. The English and French on Monday and Tuesday l ,lost thirty-nifie aeroplanes. /

The Bujgars repulsed British attacks; between Vardar and Lake Doiran.