THE ENEMY'S AIM.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 April 1918, Page 5

THE ENEMY'S AIM.

TO EXHAUST THE BRITISH. PORTUGUESE PUSHED BACK. THE FIGHT FOR GIVEXCHY. Received April 11, 8.40 p.m.

London, April 10. A high military authority, reviewing the position, says it lias improved locally south of the Somme. The Australians are covering the little village uf Rouzancourt. near Haniel. The French, east of the old battleiield. carried out a small withdrawal from where they were left by the retirement of our Fifth Army in an awkward angle north of the Oise. The enemy, however, cut off two battalions, securing a couple of thousand prisoners. The French fell back on to the strong line of the Ailette.

The general position on the main battle front is unchanged. The enemy is faced north of the Somme by the stone wall of the Third Army, against which the Germans have battered without material result, while south of the Somme he was blocked by the arrival of French reinforcements.

The Germans, therefore, changed the scene to the old front between Armentieres and Bethune, where the Portuguese held the ground in the centre, with a British division on cither flank. The main attack fell on the Portuguese. The enemy gained an area of little tactical advantage. Nevertheless he has made ail awkward salient in our lines, from which may develop an attack on Armentieres, north of Bethune. Our recovery of Givenchy, which is the gateway towards Bethune, is of great importance.

The Germans advanced in the centre to a depth of 5500 yards along a front of 15.000 yards, but were brought' up by the River Lawe. It is quite certain the Portuguese lost some artillery arid a considerable number of prisoners. The enemy attacked in considerable force,

Tlie weather was foggy and overcast. Aerial work was almost impossible. Five divisions were identified. They probably used as many as eight. The Germans this morning attacked north of Armentieres as far as the Messines front, and entered our first line between the Lys and Douve, capturing a considerable part of Plocgateert Wood, but were repulsed on the Messines front.

This has turned Armentieres into a very awkward salient. The town itself has long been a heap of ruins. Its loss would not be vital, though we hope to retain it.

The enemy is simply carrying out another part of his original programme of trying to exhaust the British army by hammering at it wherever there is a favorable chance.

CASUALTY CLEARING STATIONS.

FALL INTO ENEMY'S HANDS. Received April 11, 7.40 "p.m. Lpiulon, April 10. The War Office states that during the recent retirement on the Somme the casualty clearing stations fell into the enemy's hands. All the doctors, nurses and patients were safely evacuated. The deficiencies have since been made good, the Australian and Canadian medical authorities generously helping by lending doctors and nurses. During the evacuation under heavy fire a number of casualties occurred amongst the medical anil nursing personnel.

A GERMAN REPORT.

MORE PRODIGIES OF VALOR CLAIMED.

Received April 11, 11.20 p.m. London, April 11,

Wireless German official: Between Armentieres and the La Bassee Canal we attacked the Angle-Portuguese, and took the first line, also fiOOO prisoners and about a hundred guns. Our troops which landed at Haiigoe, Finland, occupied the railway station at Ivaris.

German evening official: We penetrated the English lines astride of Warneton.

THE WILY GERMAN.

ORDERS A BRITISH RETIREMENT. New York, April 10. An American correspondent on the West front relates that a man in the uniform of a British staff officer drove up in an automobile and ordered the British commander to retire three miles. The Britisher became suspicious and searched the staff officer, who proved to be a disguised German, and was immediately shot.

VIOLENT ARTILLERY DUEL. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Reuter. Received April 11, 11.50 p.m. London, April 11. A French communique states: North of Montdidier and in the region of the Oise Canal the artillery duel is violent.

GERMAN ADVANCES CHECKED. London, April 10. A French communiquo says: North of Montdidier enemy artillery was violently countered by ours, and we bombarded several points in the region of Hangard-en-Santerre. Our artillery prevented a German attack debouching. We repulsed an attempt west of Noyon, iii the sector of Rienuont. There was an intermittent artillery duel on Hie left, bank of the Oise. Our battes-jes dispersed an enemy concentration in the region of Coucy-lerChateau-