WESTERN FRONT.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 April 1918, Page 8

WESTERN FRONT.

BARRING ROAD TO AMIENS. FRENCH INFLICT PRODIGIOUS LOSSES. *> London, April ;". At 4"."> in Ike evening the Jjritisli, south-westward of Albert, were strongly holding the railway embankment anil thwarting the enemy's determined effort to advance on the highway to Amiens, via Corbie. The French frustrated a German attempt to reach the AinionsOlarcmont railway, indicting prodigious losses. A United Service message says that the Daily News states tiiat an inquiry is being held into the retreat of the Fifth Army at St. Quenlin.

THE AMERICAN LINE. ATACKED BY EXEMY. London, April j. Router's correspondent at the American headquarters states that the American force is now occupying a sector on the Jleusp heights south of Verdun. The enemy yesterday raided here alter heavy bombardment. CONFIDENCE IN RESULT. ENEMY'S GREAT STRIKING FOP.CX London, April 5. The progress of the renewed vjerman thrusts for Amiens on a twelve mile front is awaited with confidence owing to the recent heavy Entente reinforcements to the, battle area. The heaviest blow fell on the French who parried ati attack by well over J00,001) men indicating that the Germans still have a great striking force at command. Exports are surprised at the early resumption of the Kaiser's battle. In view of the diilieulties of bringing up heavy guns it is generally agreed that the enemv is less advantageously situated than at the beginning of the first attack. SLIGHT ENEMY GAINS. AT HEAVY PRICE. London, April .5. Tlic Germans attacked the British on a, wide front in the neighborhood uf Dernancourt. and made alight gains, but suffered heavy losses. The (iertnaus also fiercely attacked the French, their objective being the Amiens-C'lermont railway. The attacks failed.

REPEATED O-ERMAN ASSAULTS. v London, April 5. Sir Douglas Haig reports heavy lighting in the afternoon and late in the evening between the Luce River and the Sonimc. The ,enemy, employing strong forces, delivered repeated assaults. These were driven oft' with loss to the enemy, but we were slightly pressed back to tlie eastward of Villcr* Bencthoteux, where our positions are maintained. The enemy's artillery northward of the Somme was active during the night in the neighborhood oE Buequoy and in the Scarpe Valley. We engaged hostile concentrations in (he neighborhood of Albert. FRENCH LINE EXTENDED. London, April 5. The French have taken over the line as far as the Oise.