MOST SEVERE FIGHTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 March 1918, Page 5

MOST SEVERE FIGHTING.

BRITISH FORCED TO YIELD MORE GROUND. REMARKABLE AIR WORK. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Router. Received March 27, 1.45 a.m. London, March 2(1. Sir Douglas Haig reports: There lias been the severest fighting ail day on a wide front south of Peronne ami south of Bapaume. The enemy attacked our positions in great strength and with fresh forces, and, despite a gallant resistance, we were forced to give ground. Tiie enemy occupied Nesle and Bapaume. Heavy fighting continues. The activity in the air is very great, the day being remarkable for the weight of bombs dropped and the number of fights. Many thousands of rounds were fired from low altitudes upon the enemy's troops. Our aeroplanes reported the progress of the battle and informed the artillery of suitable targets. Low flyers bombed and machinegunned masses of troops in the battle area, over 1700 bombs being dropped in the daytime on different targets, including the Bruges docks, Aulnoys railway station, a large camp south-east of Cambrai, high velocity guns and hostile reinforcements. The fighting was the most severe that has been experienced. We brought down forty-seven enemy machines and drove down twenty-two uncontrollable. Ten of ours are missing. After dark our aviators continued bombing and machine gunning enemy troops opposite the battle front. They also bombed the Bruges dock and the aerodrome between Tournai and Mons used fey night fliers, over fourteen tons being dropped. All our machines returned. One large enemy machine was bombed and landed behind our lines. Following the successful daylight I raids, Mannheim and other objectives in 'Germany were attacked at night time. We dropped half a ton on railway stations at Cologne, starting a fire. Over a ton was distributed on Luxembourg railway stations, where a fire was started, and on Courcelles railway station, eastward of Metz. Two tons were dropped on Metz railway station, direct hits being obtained on bridges south-east of the town, and on a stationary train, which was set afire. A large fire was started at Alson. A ton of bombs was dropped on Thionville railway station, where a moving train was derailed and a fire caused. All ours returned.

THE HEROIC RESISTANCE. EMPIRE PROUD AND GRATEFUL. THE PREMIER'S MESSAGE. ■ Ana. and N.Z. Cablo Assoc, and Reuter. Received March 27, 12.15 p.m. London, March 26. The Press Bureau reports: The Cabinet wishes to express the nation's thanks for its splendid defence. The whole Empire is filled with pride in watching the heroic resistance of its brave troops under overwhelming odds. Knowing their steadfastness and courage whenever the country and its honor depends on their valor, the Empire confidently awaits the result of the struggle to defeat the enemy's last, desperate effort to trample on the free nations. We at home arc prepared to do all in our power to help in the true spirit of comradeship. The men necessary to replace all the casualties,, and the guns and macliine-gune required losses, are either now in France or en route. Still further reinforcements of men and guns are ready to be thrown into the battle.— Lloyd George."