WESTERN FRONT.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 April 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

ANOTHER GREAT BATTLE. TO DIVIDE ANGLO-FRENOH. • PROBABLE GERMAN TACTIus. A DOUBLE ATTACK LIKELY. Received April 9, 10.50 p.m. London, April S (9.30 p.m.). Mr Kiilip Gibbs reports terrific gunfire, and suggests that another great battle is beginning. Enemy artillerying south of itte Somme and elsewhere is doubtless preparatory to another phase of the German offensive, wherein they may again attempt to drive a wedge between the French and British.

_ The Germans have large concentrations astride the Somme, and are still bringing up guns. Simultaneously they are demonstrating further north by heavy shellfiro at Arras, and further north still at Armentieres and La Bassee canal, where many gas shells fell last night.

There is a possibility that they will again attempt to turn our defences at Arras, while simultaneously striking hard for Amiens, hoping by a success south of the Somme to make our positions untenable from Albert and about the Ancre valley.

BOMBARDMENT SMOTHERED. BY VIOLENCE OF BRITISH REPLY. THE WEATHER HINDERS THE ENEMY. Reuter Service. Received April 9, 11.50 p.m. London, April 8 Reuter's correspondent at the British headquarters states that on the evening of the Sth the heavy bombardment mentioned earlier died down after a n hour, being apparently smothered by the violence of our reply • ■et, cold, and dreary weather has commenced. It is said that the weather during this offensive is the first time that the luck thoreanent has gone against the Germans.

A GRUESOME CARAVAN. CORPSE-LADEN TRAINS. BRUSSELS ONE VAST HOSPITAL. Received April 9, 7.15 p . m . Amsterdam, April 8 frontier reports state that the" whole of Brussels has been converted into a large hospital for the German wounded Trainloads are arriving hourly. Scores of trains laden with corpses have passed Antwerp for Germany. Nobody is permitted in the vicinity of tire stations while the gruesome caravan is passing.

EFFECTIVE BRITISH ARTILLERY. MASSED ATTACKS PREVENTED. BRITISH PRISONERS EXPOSED TO ARTILLERY RISKS. Times Service. Received April 10, 1.15 am. v London, April 9. -Mr Robinson reports: Our big guns have been particularly effective durin-r the last few days around Albert Aveluv and Ayette. They at least three times stopped the enemy from attempting a massed attack, breaking up his formations. I hear that two thousand British prisoners have been forced to work on railways within six miles of the German front, exposed to artillery risks

ENEMY PRESSURE ON FRENCH HOSTILE ADVANCE RESISTED. HEAVY LOSSES INFLICTED. Received April 10, 1.5 a.m. London, April 9 (1.25 p.m.). A French communique states: Enemy pressure continues north of the Cailette region. I„ the lower country and forest our advanced elements resisted and delayed the advance of the onemv, who was very superior numerically, inflicting very heavy losses. * * There has been reciprocal, lively artillery activity o n the Somme front aod between Montdidier and Noyon. BUSSTDIG OF SUPER-GOT. Paris. April 8. Official: The bursting of one of the long-range guns bombarding Paris is confirmed from a sure source. It occurred on March 23. An officer and nine men were killed. The bombardment was continued yesterday, but there were no victims.

PUERILE PROPAGANDA. TO REVIVE THE GERMANS. AND DEPRESS THE ENEMY. Received April 9, 11.5S p.m. London, April 9. Simultaneously with Hiiidcnburg's offensive a stupendous propaganda offensive against France, England and America is now beginning, the effort being designed to create bail blood. Captured documents and handbills dropped in balloons show that the Germans represent America as scared by the offensive, and that England and France are on the verge of collapse. Enemy field propagandists are circulating similar stories among their own troops and people in an effort to revive their spirits and depress the Allies.

THE AIRMEN'S PART. SOME EFFECTIVE WORK. Received April 9, 11.58 p.m. London, April 9. Sir Douglas Haig, in his aviation report, states that low fliers dropped ten tons of bombs and fled many rounds on hostile troops and transports. They downed. eight of the enemy's machines, and drove down nine. Four of ours are missing.

Nightfliers dropped 5J tons of bombs on Douai and the railway station at Bapaume.

AN ENFORCED LULL GREAT GERMAN GUNS COMING UP BRITISH SATISFIED WITH LATEST EFFORTS. Received April 9, 11.58 p.m. London, April 0 (12.35 a.m.) Mr. Percival Phillips states there is another lull. The enemy failed to get any further results after* two days' hard driving, therefore he has allowed his disheartened troops to remain for the past three days resting in the trenches i hey have created in the new wandering line. It tfan only be a pause before a still greater attack. Great German, guns aro coming up and are already registering for the next intensive bombardment. There was sudden artillery activity this morning, with many gas shells from Arras and Albert, but the infantry have not yet left cover. We can afford to contemplate the enemy's latest efforts with satisfaction. We held the attacks well, and even advanced our line in some places.

CAVALRY OPERATIONS. SOME THRILLING OPERATIONS. RETREAT OF INFANTRY COVERED. it ™. , London, April 8. Mr. P,rrie Robinson writes: Despite the terrible testing time and the inevitable losses during the fortnight the cavalry lta rejoice tha( . their tart has had a chance to do its share, which it certainly did. „„'^> firS M t Was en S a S ed aa infantry, and thereafter split into sections, serving in the thick of the battle as cavalry, the dismounted men splendidly covering the mlantry retreat about the Oise and Pontowe towards Noyon and elsewhere. ine Scots Greys were once entirely cut off and spent a whole „ight mixed up with Germans, but escaped in the mora ing. On another occasion, during a mist divisional headquarters found itself f OU r tunes under machine-gun fire. The cavalry made a magnificent charge at Quencourt ridge at midnight on March 25, pushed the enemy off the highest ground, then thrust noitkwferd „ d surrounded Suroy village. Later in the day, with'the assistance of the Canadians, they appeared in a fair way to occupy the whole ridge when in accordance with prearranged plans, the infantry retired and the cavalry held on covering the retreat The Germans attempted an outflanking movement, out the Lancers, Hussars, and Canadians .fought wildly and splendidly till they obtained a safe position. Cavalry units, while holding the line ierners-Plainvflle-Jiroves, on March 28 were ordered to help cover the approaches to Amiens, but the eneinv came out of Moreuil wood. Then followed [some of the hardest fighting since the offensive, i n which the Canadian., finely charged clean through the wood and got firmly in position on the MoreuilDemuin road and killed great numbers of the enemy. Simultaneously the Dragoons and Lancers were sent to head off an attack on Mareeleave. Here they cooperated with the Australians. Afterwards the latter's commander addressed a. charming letter to the cavalry commander, praising the magnificent, behaviour of his men and saying it was the Australians' pride and delight to fight with them.

Twelve hundred Dragoons hod a really gorgeous fight at Hangard on March 31. An officer described them as eager, goin<* off like scalded cats. Three waves dash° ed through the wood, despite the tremendous havoc wrought by fresh German battalions. The Dragoons took many prisoners and captured machineguns. Seeing a wliole reserve regiment of the enemy pouring out of Villcrs Erables. the cavalry and artillery attacked in daylight over open ground. One battery fired 1500 rounds and another over 2000, all finding marks. Tlrey staggered and , disorganisied the enemy, whose remnants straggled back, leaving the ground covered with -dead. A German authority from the front puts the total losses "at -2.50,000. He states that the French made a rampart of German bodies ig high as a man.

DETAILS OF GERMAN TANKS. CREWS SPECIALLY TRAINED. London, April 8The .Morning Post correspondent on the French front gives interesting details of the German tanks used in the present offensive. The Germans modified the construction and use of tanks after their experience, of the British use. Tliey ha\e greatly increased their speed, and have tanks capable of doing five miles •in hour over broken ground. The tanks move in formations of five, moving in a zigzag' Special tank schools were formed in Germany in vast manoeuvre grounds The tanks are torpedo shaped East weighs 10 tons and is 24 feet long, !) feet wide, and 7ft. (tin. high. They are able to turn easily and are completely protected by armor" The loopholes are impermeable' to gas. They are fitted with a 5.5 inch rapid firing gun, and furnished with a periscope. They also fire gas shellsThe tank also has four machine-guns and flammenwerfers in case of obstinate resistance, the flame projecting sixty yards It is produced l>y a mixture of tar and carbolineum which is sent out hy oxygen under pressure. The motor has eight cylinders and is 250 horse-power. The personnel consists of two drivers, two gunners, four ma-chine-gunners, and two reserves under the orders of a junior engineer officer. Tlie clothing of the entire erew is fireproof.

BRITISH LINE ADVANCED. London, April 8. Sir Douglas Haig reports: We, advanced our line slightly during the night on the south bank of the Somme eastward of Vire-Sous-Corbie. There was increased hostile artillery fire during the night on the whole of the battle front. . There was hostile gas shelling between Lens and the La Bassee canal, also eastward of Armentieres. FRENCH IMPROVE THEIR LINE. Paris, April 8. The Petit Parisien says tfiat the German occupation, of the lower Couchy Forest and the French withdrawal therefrom were almost inevitable. The withdrawal was accomplished voluntarily and practically without cost, distinctly improving the situation. I

VIOLENT ARTILLERY ACTIONS. Aus. and N.Z. CaWe Assoc, and Re'uter. Received April 9, 5.5 p.m. London, April 8, (4 p.m.). A French communique reports: The niglit was marked by violent artillery actions, notably on the left bank of the Oise. AMIENS THE GERMAN GOAL. Paris, April S. A semi-official statement has been issued stating that there is reason to regard the German attack on Hill 344 yesterday as indicating a forthcoming offensive in this sector' A great mass of German reserves is still moving towards Amiens, which ig still the goal of the German high command, though the enemy has been momentarily forced to interrupt his forward movement owing to exhaustion and the heavy losses suffered by his troops. THE FIFTH ARMY'S RETIREMENT.

Received April 9, 7.15 p.m. London, April S. The Daily News states that the Government has decided to hold an inquiry into the circumstances of the Fifth Army's retreat from St. Quentin. A GERMAN REPORT. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter. Received April 9, 11.45 pin. London, April 8 (9.45 pm.) Wireless German official: Troops advancing on the eastern border of Coucy wood and via Larises stormed the hill north-east of Folembray and advanced as far as Vernetdl. Our prisoners now number two thousand A SUCCESS CLAIMED. deceived April 10, 1.15 a.m. London, April 9. Wireless German official: We drove out the enemy from a strong position on the heights eastward of Coucy le Chateau.

A QUIET DAY. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Renter. Received April 9, 10.50 p.m. London, April 8 (10.20 p.m.). Sir Douglas Haig reports: Except for hostile artillerying at different parts of the froat, especially in the neighborhood of Bucquoy there is nothing to report.