WESTERN FRONT.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 April 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

THE BATTLE RESUMED.

MOST VIOLENT ATTACK ON FRENCH.

EFFORT TO BREAK LINE AT ALL COSTS.

Received April 5, 11.45 p.m. London, April 5 (2 a.m.). A French communique states: The battle was resumed most violently this morning north of Montdidier, and still continues. The enemy launched enormous forces on a front of fifteen kilometres from Grivesnes to north of the Amiens—Roye Road, revealing a determination to break the front at all costs.

A TERRIFIC ATTACK. GROUND RECOVERED AT LASSIGNY. I _____ Received April 5, 11.40 p.m. London, April 4. The French have recovered ground at Lassigny, after defeating a terrific German attack. ENEMY HEAVY ATTACKS. BETWEEN THE SOMME AND THE AVRE. GAIN GROUND IN PLACES. Received April 5, 8.35 p.m. London, April 5. The Press Bureau states: North of the Somme the position is unchanged. The enemy south of the Somme launched heavy attacks early this morning against the Anglo-French, and progressed on the British front in the direction of Hamel and Vaire Wood. The British beat attacks elsewhere with considerable loss. Fighting continues. The enemy gained ground against the French on our immediate right, in the angle betwsen Luce and Avre.

London, April 4 (11 p.m.). Sir Douglas Haig reports: The enemy this morning, after heavy artillerying, strongly attacked on the whole front between the Somme and the Avre. We repulsed him upon the right and centre of the British front, but upon our left the whole weight of the assault succeeded in pressing us back a short, distance in the neighborhood of Hamel, where fighting continues. An enemy attack in the afternoon west of Albert was completely repulsed. The Canadian cavalry brigade greatly distinguished itself during the past few days in the heavy fighting southward of Luce, being engaged in many successful actions mounted and' dismounted. The aviators had several flights, despite the unfavorable weather. A fight occurred during a clear interval between two very large formations. We downed twelve and five of ours are missing.

FRENCH INTREPIDITY. ENEMY MASSES MOWN DOWN. SMALL GERMAN GAINS. FURIOUS FIGHTING. Received April 6, 12.50 a.m. London, April 5. Hitherto we have identified eleven enemy divisions. - ■■■• French intrepidity resisted the shock of the assaulting masses, which the artillery mowed down. The Germans, not withstanding that their efforts were ten times repeated, only succeeded, after most sanguinary sacrifices, in gaining some hundreds of yards of ground and capturing the villages of Mailly, Raineval and Morisel, whose adjacent heights we hold.

Grivesnes was attacked with special fury, but was retained by the French, who shattered all the assaults, and then counter-attacked. We made progress at thiß point. Artillerying is most active between Montdidier and Lassigny. NORTH OF MONTDIDIER. INTENSE ARTILLERY STRUGGLE. j Received April 5, 8.40 p.m. London, April 4 (4.40 p.m.). A French communique states: The artillery struggle became very intense at night time in the region north of Montdidier. We penetrated enemy trenches at several points north-west of Rheim9 and on the left of the Meuse. Enemy raids east of Rheims and Avocourt Wood and. north of St. Die were unsuccessful.

GERMAN ACCOUNT. ALLIED ATTACKS FAIL. Received April 5, 9.46 p.m. London, April 4 (9.25 p.m.). Wireless German official: Fighting activity revived south of the Somme. The enemy, by means of a surprise, after strong artillerying, four times vainly endeavored in the early morning and afternoon to recapture the lost heights southwest of Moreuil. These attacks heavily broke down. London, April 5 (12.5 a.m.). Wireless German official: We won fresh successes south of the Somme. We bombarded Rheims as a reprisal for the French bombardment of our shelters at 1 aon.

GERMANS DIGGING IN. BRITISH GUNS' HARRASSING FIRE. Received April 5, 8 p.m. London, April 4. The fighting has simmered down until it is reminiscent of ordinary trench warfare before the offensive. The local clashes are more like raids than battles. Sharp attacks and counter-attacks for the possession of high ground are about all that is happening. An overcast sky, with low clouds, hamper, without altogether stopping, flying. The Germans are still digging in along the British front, while bringing up fighting materials. This is no easy job. The British guns keep up a harrassing fire on the roads across the old Somme, which is a desert strewn with carcases of horses and wrecked trucks, and other transport material. The American air forces, with the British, Australians and Canadians, have done splendidly. The British highly praise the American squadrons, the air mechanics of which worked day and night during the great battle.

RAIN CONTINUES STEADILY MUSHY BATTLE GROUND. Reuter Service. Received April 5, 8.35 p.m. • London, April 4. The British headquarters reports: Rain continues steadily, the ground being mushy. This affects the Germans more than the Allies, because they are moving across battle-pounded country, honeycombed with shell craters brimful of water, while our communications are untouched.

GERMAN TALES. EXCUSES FOR THE OFFENSIVE'S FAILURE. CHANGES IN HUN HIGH COMMAND. Received April 5, 8.40 p.m. Amsterdam, April 4. German telegrams state that the German troops were told that General Mackensen was shortly arriving with an army to bring about a decision on the West front. This was told to the wounded men en route to Germany in order to encourage civilians. They also state that the iull in the offensive is owing to the lack of reinforcements. Telegrams add that the British have a great quantity of artillery north of the bomme and in the bend of the Ancre, which is most active, while the French are also strongly counter-attacking withj fresh divisions. Important changes in the German high command are imminent, the armies engaged in the West being divided into two groups, one to fight the British and the other the French. Prince Leopold of Bavaria will command against the French. GUNS' BIGGEST FEED.

uhlans mown down to a man. Received April 5, 5.5 p.® United Service. London, April 4. A correspondent with French headquarters reports: The commander of a machine-gun section says that the Uhlans charged us solidly at full gallop, opposite Montdidier. We allowed them to approach to close range before we fired. The whole brilliant cavalcade was destroyed. Not a single man remained. Two squadrons of cavalry were similarly wiped out the previous day. . My guns had the biggest meal since the beginning of the war.

THE ENEMY'S STRENGTH. SUFFICIENT TO CARRY ON THE OFFENSIVE FOR A LONG TIME. Received April 5, 5.5 p.m. Paris, April 4. M. Bibon, writing in the Debats, says an expert closely associated with headquarters states that the enemy's strength is sufficient to carry on the offensive for a long time. The enemy will not fail to use it. He has seventy-five divisions on seventy miles, also fresh troops not yet concentrated, and additional divisions on the front in Russia. It is possible others will be available after resting. The total at least equals the masses hitherto used. The Maternity Bonus

SITUATION CANNOT BE BETTER. ALLIES WILL WIN. Paris, April 4. M. Clemenceau has returned from the front. In an authorised statement he saya:— "The situation could not tie better. The battle will still be hard, but we shall win." AMERICANS REPULSE GAS ATTACK Paris, April 4. The Americans repulsed an extraordinary heavy gas attack on their new sector. THE SUPER-GUN. Paris, April 4. A long-range gun shell fell cn another church, injuring many.

!NEW ZEALANDERS IN ACTION. DETAILS OF THEIR DOINGS CHANGED CONDITIONS OF WARFARE. DESCRIPTION OF THE HEBUTERNE ATTACK. (Special from the New Zealand Official War Correspondent, Captain Malcolm Ross.) By Cable, March 27 The New Zealanders are now in the great battle. They were keen to tak» part in it, and one unit when told they were to trek south received the announcement with cheers, to-day I have been watching the different units' con. centration, The men look well, are keen, and in good form and spirits, though rather tired with marching. They look forward to some good shooting amongst the oncoming masses of the Germans.

Later. Our men have come in contact with the enemy, and so far have been successful They hare already taken prisoners and killed and wounded others. A WAR OF MOVEMENT. March 28. We are right in the biggest battle in the world's history. It is a war of movement such as we have never yet seen. Everyort? is keen and the interest is intense. So rapid are our moves that I have little time for writing at present. Even Divisional Headquarters Staffs have been snatching brief intervals of sleep and food when they can. Scarcely anyone has had his clothes or even boots off for three days and nights, but everyone is cheerful and hard at work. Already much has been accomplished. The difficulties of concentration were rapidly overcome. Our troops filled a gap and established a front line without any loss of time. The artillery now is movlijg lip—indeed in our own limited sphero we have achieved a triumph of rapid organisation. Some of the units marched 24 miles, and after only a brief lying out in the cold ground without blankets went straight into action. Hot only that, but they have beaten the enemy back from advanced positions that he was endeavoring to hold by machine-gun and rifle fire. When our men got to close quarters with the enemy at one place he ran for his life, except where he had strong points with machine-guns. Yesterday the New Zealanders captured over 40 prisoners and 11 machine-guns. I

STRANGE FULFILMENT OF A GERMAN PROMISE, •Prisoners state they were told after they had advanced fifteen kilometres they would be withdrawn, and they were going eyes out to do the distance in quick time, and had already done ten kilometres when tiiey bumped up against the New Zealande'rs. Then the promise made to them was fulfilled, and they were withdrawn —hut it was not to the German side of the line they went. Since then other prisoners have been trickling in. An hour ago I passsd between thirty and forty coming through a village that was even then under shell-fire. Some of the prisoners are sturdy fellows, but a few are mere boys. Wherever they had machine-guns they fought determinedly. GREAT ENDURANCE AND INDOMITABLE SPIRIT DISPLAYED.

March 28. Having advanced to fill a place in the line, the New Zealanders established themselves on the front, and were ready to attempt to stem the German rush, in that particular section.' Too much praise cannot be accorded our troops for what in the first instance they have accomplished under exceptional difficulties. After a long journey they came, some by motor transport and some on foot, a long distance to the concentration point. Thence they marched further miles straight into the firing line, and were almost at once engaged with the enemy. In some instances they did this without practically any rest, proving their great endurance and indomitable spirit. ENEMY ATTACKS DRIVEN OFF WITH LOSS.

Yesterday the enemy attacked our line at two places. In each instance the onslaught was met with unflinching courage, and the enemy driven off with loss. Last night one of our units was again at cloße grips with the enemy, who advanced boldly and established himself in a small section of our line. This morning, between 5 and 0 o'clock, the artillery on our front came into action in order to stave off other threatened attacks. Apparently this bombardment had the desired result, for the enemy did not come on, and any concentration he may have had in the area must have suffered severely, for in this open country cover is scarce. Our own artillery performed a notable feat. After marching between 30 and 40 miles they went straight into action, and were shooting the same day. Tanks rendered material assistance, as we were taking up our line. At the moment we seem to have gained a slight mastery over the enemy, but further attacks on our. line on his part may be expected. The long spell of fine weather, which has favored the attackers, has now broken, with cold wind and rain.

THE NEW ZEALANDERS' FRONT SECURE. March 20. The weather has again cleared, so that the enemy will not be unduly hampered in getting up his guns and ammunition. Up to the present the front the New Zealanders have established remains secure, and there is no gap through which the enemy can advance unhindered. He will be met with artillery, machine-gun, and Tine fire, and also with trench mortars ind ordinary bombs. Yesterday two brigades of the enemy were reported advancing in close formation, but our guns got on to them, and they disappeared into a valley from which they did not emerge. A further concentration this morning was promptly broken up by artillery fire. In illustration of the nature of the present warfare, it is worth mentioning that at one part of the British line this morning a General and a Chief of Staff, with an A.D.C. and orderlies, reconnoitred the forward positions on horseback, galloping across the country close up to the observation points, from which they could closely examine large portions of the battle area. It was reminiscent of the old South African days or of a ride on manoeuvres during peace time.

THE OPERATIONS AT HEBUTERXE DESCRIBED. After a quiet niglit, tlm New Zealanders attacked part of the enemy frontline system this afternoon. The result was to straighten out their own line and to obtain better observation. The troops engaged were from the Rifle Brigade and the Wellington and Auckland regiments. The operations commenced at 2 p.m. with a bombardment by field guns and heavy artillery. In two minutes our men were over the top, and five minutes later a parly on the left reported that their obi jective was gained. Our shells burst with good effect in the enemy territory, but his reply was somewhat feeble, indicating a possible shortage of ammunition, or that he had not yet been able to get up much of his artillery. Prom the right front came considerable ma-chine-gun fire, but this gradually died down, and then ceased altogether. Very soon the Wellingtons reported that they had their whole objective. The Rifle's got well into an enemy strong point, but there was a gap on one side, with the enemy' in an intervening part of the trench. A vigorous bombing fight ensued. The Germans stuck to it well, but in the end our men proved themselves the better fighters, and the whole trench was won. ATTACK COMPLETELY SUCCESSFUL Prisoners began to come back in c6nsiderable numbers, indicating complete success on our part. Every German who resisted was killed; all the others were made prisoner. By the time the fight was over we had captured 200 prisoners, 40 machine guns, and one light minethrower. The total of prisoners since the operations began now numbers 410, a splendid result for such limited operations. The enemy was taken by surprise. Among the prisoners was a forward observing officer, who was asleep when the attack began.

AN EXTRAORDINARY SPECTACLE. Our men are having what they describe as the time of their lives. In order to increase their fighting efficiency they come into battle without packs and overcoats, though most of them had their leather jerkins and waterproof sheets. The nights were bitterly cold, and, as a good deal of rain had fallen, they got rather wet and muddy. The relieved men behind the front present an extraordinary and even amusing spectacle, clothed in a variety of garments salved from the battlefield. Some are wearing German overcoats, others overcoats of the labor battalions, who have gone further back, and even civilian corduroy. Yesterday one humorist, clad in khaki, but wearing a tall silk hat, was unloading ammunition, apparently unconscious of the amusement he was creating. Needless to say, the Maori battalion, which is energetically digging in in the support line, is not behindhand in this new phase of open operations.

OFFICERS AND MEN IN HIGH SPIRITS. Officers and men are in high spirits. One young officer has been distinguishing himself <by taking a. bombing party, complete in detail, up the German saps in search of adventure. In the darkness the other night some animal was seen dimly wandering just beyond the front line. Before taking action it was thought desirable to get a proper identification. "If,'' said a second lieutenant, "it's a bullock, we'll shoot him. If its a cow we'll make her prisoner and millc her." The spirit of our men is splendid. Many go up from the support to the front line just to see what is doing. Biscuits, bully beef, and even fresh meat and bread and jam find their way to the firing line, and the water supply is well maintained. A lorry load af cigarettes has arrived. Our mails are coming from London, and altogether things are much brighter than might be expected during what our men humorously describe as "The Retreat from Moscow." SOME STRANGE RUMORS. Strange rumors fly from end to end of the line. One was that Americans had taken Ostend. A New Zealand subaltern sent a message to his superior officer to know if there was any truth jn it, and promptly hack came the reply: "Yes; and w,e are now marching on Archangel." Thus jt will be seen that fun and the spirit of novel adventure, which are characteristics of our men,' provide an appropriate light to the shade of grim tragedy that is inseparable from any battlefield. March 31. Last night passed quietly". The sun is again shining. Everyone is»elated with' yesterday's success. Reinforcements to fill the gaps made by' casualties are marching up, and the strength of the force will be well maintained.

| CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES. April 2. 'Warmest congratulations upon your fine success of yesterday," runs a telegram from another divisional commander at the battlefront to the General Commanding the New Zealand Division. Congratulations have also been received from army and corps commanilers with whom we had previously been fighting. At present our front is comparatively quiet, but our roll of prisoners and ma-chine-guns steadily increases. The King while in the battle zone the other day saw the New Zealand reinforcements marching up. Our wnole force is in good heart.

IMPORTANT local victory. GAINED BY NEW ZEALANDERS WITH LIGHTNING SPEED. London, April 4. Mr. Percival Phillips writes that the New Zealanders on Sunday night gained one of the most important local victories since the present lull began, which was carried out with lightning «peed. They captured in seven min!utes the Hebuterne-Auchonvillers IJoad, ft'hich the Germans strongly held, depriving the enemy of the necessary observation. Thero elements belonging to four divisions were jambed into a confused mass. The New Zealanders found 110 ma-chine-guns among the debris, and, in addition, took nearly 300 prisoners ineluding three officers.

THE ANZAC WAY. STORY OF BRILLIANT RAID. Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig has issued an order congratulating the Australians on their successful raid vestwart of Warneton on February London, Feb. 17. Last night the Victorians made a highly successful raid on the enemy trenches before Warneton, east of Meßsines. The attack was delivered on a strongly defended position immediately north of the River Lys. The plan included feints by the Australians on the left, which successfully deluded the enemy concerning the exact location of the raid. The wire was cut by trench mortars and artillery prior to the raid. At 10 o'clock a heavy barrage was laid down along a considerable length of front, combined with a heavy counter-battery fire against the enemy guns and gas bombardment of the enemy headquarters and dug-outs behind Warneton. The attacking force entered the enemy lines over a front of 400 yardß and encountered a considerable garrison, which they overcame in bomb and bayonet fighting. This was the first occasion for a long time that the enemy had met them with the bayonet, but the Australians completely outfought the Germans. ' Trenches and dug-outs behind the second line were entered, and many dugouta were destroyed, The raiders withdrew after h&lf an hour, haying killed in the infantTy fighting alone ninety Germans. A large number were certainly killed or wounded also in the artillery fire and Lewis gun fire during the withdrawal. The raiders brought back thirty-one prisoners, three machine guns, and one little minenwerfer. Our casualties were only one-sixth of the known enemy losses. The enemy counter-attack was feeble It consisted mainly of an attempt to overtake and outflank the rearguards during the retirement.

These covering parties, which were armed with Lewis guns, effectively dispersed the enemy from Mb front trench and m No Man's Land, inflicting serious losses. One advancing enemy party was engaged and dispersed, two further prisoners being taken without Australian loss. Renter's correspondent at British headquarters, continuing the story of the Australian raid, said that the German positions were heavily manned. "The Australians, however, with bayonets poised and trigger-fingers twitching flung themselves upon the Germans. A short, bitter struggle ensued before the raiders cleared the defence work of everything but corpses. The enemy certainly suffered heavily The lowest estimate of the killed alone amounts to ZOO, for which the barrage ™s probably or principally responsible. The raiders' adventure yielded thirtyseven field-grey figures, three machine guns, one trench mortar, and various minor trophies. "This is doing things on a spacious scale, and it should result in a yield of a lot of interesting information regarding, what is going on behind the German lines." ««»««mi

. The Australians' raid involved perhans the hottest fighting that has m occurred m a trench. It even extended into .0, n 3 fand. The raid was a complete surprise, and was skilfully carried despite a vigorous resistance by the

REASONS. FOR LULL. ALLIES ABLE TO MEET NEXT BLOW Paris, April 4. A semi-official statement says that the lull in the fighting is due to the fact that the Germans have lost 300000 .killed and wounded, also to difficulties or bringing up their artillery owing to the badness of the roads. As soon as . . . G!ermans have re-grouped their divisions and brought up material they will launch a new formidable attack, but the Allies, who are being reinforced, will 'be able to meet the lilow. WHAT ELSE COULD BE EXPECTED? Paris, April 4. Cleraenceau, interviewed regarding Count Czemin's peace allegations, merely replied that Count Czernin had lied, i BRITISH 1 'FALL BACK. London, April 4. The Germans attacked south of the Somme, and the British fell back in the Hamel region. LOCALE OP NEXT ATTACK. Paris, April 4Marcel Hutin say 3 that, In view of the sacrifices involved in reaching Pari3 via Amiens, lie believes the Germans will now attack another front, probably towards Arras or northward.