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WESTERN FRONT.

SECOND PHASE OF OFFENSIVE INTENDED TO END WAR. PRAISE FOR PORTUGUESE.

London, April 11. In the Times, Mr Pirrie Robinson says the second phase of the German offensive seems more threatening in the north than in the south, where there is a stubborn stand on the flanks, and the enemyonly succeeded in advancing on a narrow salient as far as the Lys and north-west ot Laventie, a maximum of four miles. He over-ran the advanced line north of Armentieres, near Warneton, forcing his way up the south end of the Messines ridge and reached Messines, where he was driven back. Fierce fighting continues southward. The enemy penetrated to Ploegsteert and Nieppe, a maximum advance of three miles. This is a bit of ground of tactical importance, endangering the possession of Armentieres. Prisoners affirm that the second great blow is intended to end the war and destroy the British Army. The 'immediate brunt fell on the Portuguese in the centre, who, though in considerable strength, were quite unable to maintain the position under the massed attacks.

According to prisoner? the Germans await the meteorological experts' prediction of misty mornings before attacking. Yesterday's' mist enabled the attackers to approaeli unseen, cut the wire, and even surround and attack advanced posts with flammenwerfer before they were detected. The tremendou* weight of the impact on the Portuguese first line forced back small units, who continued to fight desperately but hopelessly till surrounded. The second and third lines were similarly rushed. Battalions of Portuguese clung to the position of Laconture till a large proportion were killed- The Portuguese artillery was excellent, but lost considerably in men and guns. Though the majority of the guns were smashed by enemy nre, many continued), firing at close range till the masses were close. The majority of the gunners were disabled, but a remnant escaped after rendering the guns useless. British artillery officers loudly praise the way they stuelc it. Although the Portuguese positions were well advanced in the battle zone the breach in the centre threw an enormous strain on the 55th British Division on the extreme right, holding the Givenchy positions. The Lancashire men threw back the left. which was outbanking that side. Then began the defence of Givenchy. Three times the Germans forced an entry, but were thrown out by the most dashing counter-attacks The Lancashires took 750 prisoners, and We retained Givenchy and the majority of the original line.

The Germans reached Laventie at 11 o'clock, compelling the troops on the left of the 55th Division to swing round and front north, where they held the enemy on the line west of Laventie: Estaires—the Lys—Seilly—Bac St. Maur. Yesterday the Germans penetrated Estaires and La Gorgue, but a counterattack threw them out. Further up, close to the Lys. the enemy reached Croix-du-Bae on the west, but was driven back and penned on the east side of the little stream by troops thrusting southwards from Steenwerck- From here to below Armentieres the lines held intact.

Captured maps show that the enemy aimed at the capture of Bethune. Captured aviators say that the operations are only the beginning of a great offensive on a 40-kilometre (25 miles) front.

Information from the north i£ scanty. The enemy reached the village of Messines, but was thrown back down the eastern slope of the ridge. Fierce fighting continues in this sector. The heaviness of the bombardment here makes sleep impossible. It has not ceased night or day.

THE FIGHTING DESCRIBED. ENEMY'S LARGE OBJECTIVES. London, April 11. The German attack was upon a front extending northward yesterday yesterday's fighting included the WytscbaeteMessinets sector, where the Australians spent the winter strengthening the defences. They put in a prodigious amount of work, and were convinced they could make the sector one of the tidiest on the front. Frequent Australian raids kept the enemy on tenterhooks The Australians were certain that if the Germans were foolish enough to attempt to attack the front from their low positions they would give the attackers a terrible reception.

But the conditions have changed during the past three weeks. The Australians evacuated the sector to take with the New Zealanders a more active share in the immediate fighting, where the pressure was greatest- Doubtless the Germans will be compelled to pay heavily for the recapture of the high ground at Mesrines, which is almost sacred ground to the New Zealanders and Australians. Mr. Philip Gibbs writes: It is now clear that the battle around Armentieres is a new formidable offensive with large objectives. It is certain the German Higli Command has decided to throw the full strength of its armies against the British, instead of dividing its efforts by striking also against the French.

Their plan ig to edge off as much as possible from the French, holding them in cheek by defensive fighting, in order to concentrate their men and guns, opposite the British lines, hurling them in a series of blows, now on the right, now on the left, and following up each success as far as possible. It is admitted that this menace calls for a supreme effort by the Allies. Yesterday the enemy made the flat ground opposite Neuve Chapelfe" the centre of a thrust. To-day the attackwas on the Messines Ridge, • re he succeeded in pressing back pan .f our first defensive systems, the attacks being most vehement in the netgnt>orJ>ood of Messines. Our counter-attacks have since driven the enemy back part of the way. The bombardment throughout was without a pause.

Our great achievement was a magnificent stand by the Lanoashlres of the 55th Division, who held our flank firm against fierce repeated attacks though outnumbered fourfold. Onr line at Givenehv is still unbroken To-day's enemy waves of men lie shattered before it. We hold 760 nrisonera. .

It is a tragedy that the Portuguese suffered ihe heaviest blow. The "bombardment annihilated their outposts, smashed their first line, and forced them to fall bad; to (lie system, which whs attacked by the enemy's assault troops- By 11 o'clock the Germans had taken Laventie.

The German advance to Lnvcnlic put a severe strain upon the oOlli Division at Givenehy, The enemy attacked in crowds and captured the'village i n the morning, but were hurled out: by bombers and riflemen, who regained half the village. Then the Lancashire lads attacked again and drove ihe enemy back to his original positions. The German prisoners are very crestfallen, particularly as a captured document showed that German army orders read out before the battle stated that the 55th Division was very weak and tired and the capture of Giveneliy would be no trouble. LOCAL FRENCH ATTACK. IMPROVES THEIR POSITION. STRONG ENEMY AVIATION PATROLS Reuter Service. Received April 12, 10 30 p.m. London. April 12. The French headquarters eorresponent states that relative quiet is prevailing from Hangard to >Toyon The French carried out a small infantry attack at Grivesnes Chateau,'locally improving their position. Guns are active on both sides all along the front. The Germans have done a little trench digging. Enemy airmen are more active, but are showing little inclination to take the offensive, being chiefly engaged in patrolling their own side'of the front in powerful groups of a dozen or more machines, with the object of preventing | our nights.

AVIATION REPORT. VERY HEAVY GUNFIRE EXPERI ENCED.

Received April 12, 8.15 p.m. London, April 11 Sir Douglas Haig's aviation report states: Despite the unfavorable weather yesterday our airmen bombed and ma-chine-gunned enemy troops. The mist compelled the pilots to fly at an average height of two hundred feet, experiencing very heavy gunfire. The enemy's airmen were also active. We brought down seven and drove down one. Seven of ours are missing.

We raided Luxembourg station at midday to-day and dropped ovevr a ton of bombs Several bursts were observed. All our machines returned, despite considerable gunfire.

GERMAN OFFICIAL. THE LYS CROSSED. Received April 12, 7 p.m. London, April 11. Wireless German official: Between Armentieres and FestubertVe stormed the Bois Grcnier and Neuve Cfiapelle, and crossed the Lys at Bac-St.-Maur. We captured Hollebeke yesterday and stormed the Messines heights, and pushed forward as far as Ploegsteert wood We reached the Ploegsteert and Armentieres road. We reached the Lawe and the region north-east of Bethune. The prls. oners are now over 10,000, including „ Portuguese general. °

INCESSANT ATTACKS. PUSH BACK OUR LINE.

HEAVY FIGHTING CONTINUES,

Received April 12, 8 p.m. London, April ]i sir Douglas Haig reports. The enemy pressed attacks strongly all day on the whole northern battle front Fresh divisions have continually and heavily assaulted us in the region of the Lawe river, between Loisne and Lestrem. Our olst Division beat off incessant attacks, inflicting great losses, and recanttd PoSiti ° ns by vi S° rou ' wunter-

Ihere is heavy fighting at Estaires and between Estaires and Steenwerck Jn this sector the enemy attacked in strength and pushed back our line to just north of these nlaces. The enemy determinedly attacked this morning north of Armentieres, and made some progress in the neighborhood of Woegßteert Wood.

Our Ninth Division completely repulsed with great loss another heavy attack rn the neighborhood of Wytsehaete and Holleheke.

Fighting continues on the whole front between La Bassee canal and the YpresComines canal.

A French communique states: There •s a violent artillery duel at certain points north of MontdMier and i n the region of Lassigny. We repulsed. last night and this morning two somewha* heavy attacks in the sector at Noyon. .There was an intermittent cannonade on both banks of the Meuse.

During March twenty-five enemy aero, planes were hrougbt down by our anti aircraft defences.

GERMAN ATACKS DISPERSED. Received April l->, 55 p.m. London, April 11. A French communique says: Our artillery dispersed a detachment in the region of Orvillers before it reached our lines. Enemy attacks on our advanced posts east of Souin i n the Champagne and the forest of Apremont failed. Two enemy aeroplanes were Drought down by ma-chine-gun fire.

TERRIFIC GERMAN ATTACK SMASHED. London, April 11. A terrific German onslaught towards Hollebeke has been smashed, opnm*"\ to them.

TWENTY MILES BATTLE. the corvniY trembles with BOMBARDMENT. BlUTlSfl HARD PRESSED AT MESSINES. Received April 12, 10 p.m United Service. London, April 11 (6.20 p.m.). There is proceeding a violent battle extending northwards. The infantry attacks cover twenty miles, overlapping the Yser Canal. The country trembles with the terrific din and the furious bombardmeut, ahells reaching St. Omes and Cassell, while Hazebruck, Bailleul and other most important road centres are being reduced to heaps of ruins. The most serious loss is the prepared battle zone on the Messines ridge, but the British forces, greatly reduced by the movements southward, cling tenaciously to the crest.

The Germans are developing an attack towards Bethune.

A high authority states that fine flank defences prevented the development of Armentieres, enabling an orderly evacuation. The British maintain the hold on the crest of the Messines ridge. The Germans failed to take any high ground. Their progression is only along the flat country, which must be encouraging to the future situation. Reuter Service.

London, April 11 (11 p.m.). The situation generally is regarded today as fairly well in hand, but fighting continues, and is likely to continue, on a heavy scale. The attack was helped by the misty weather. The territory the enemy overran is very sparsely populated by civilians, and as regards character, the country is barren of grain. The enemy's communications have been lengthened across the long clay tracks.' The enemy, attacking in massed waves against Hollebeke, over heavy ground, made great targets for our rifles and machine guns. The execution was terrific. Comparatively few Germans got to grips, and eventually were completely repulsed. The straggling retreat was followed by the field guns until the enemy disappeared in the mist. Large bodies of German infantry are reported to be smashing north-west of Armentieres in the direction of Ploegsteert Wood, where continuous fighting is proceeding, with the artillery heavily concentrated thereon. The evacuation of Armentieres was conducted very successfully, the enemy not attempting to press our retirement. The whole place is one vast cesspit of mustard gas.

THE ADVANCE HELD. THE ENEMY'S OPERATIONS. Received April 12, 10.30 pan. Times Service. London, April 12 (1 a.m.). Mr. Robinson, who has just returned from the Messines ridge area, thinks the advance is definitely held. There has been fierce fighting in the southern. sector, the enemy progressing westward. Below Estairs he crossed the Lawe, and is now fighting between Lestrem and Merville, as the line in the vicinity of Givenchy is solid, and is still held. The Estairs line is from the river to Steeuwercke. The enemy's penetration at this point must be on a very small front, and of no strength. The situation is peculiar and confused. Yesterday's attack on the northern seetor was made by three divisions on a five-mile front at Ploegsteert, near Hollebeke. Aided by thick mist, the enemy penetrated the Ploegsteert Wood by seven o'clock, and thence the attack spread northwards, capturing Messines and Wytschaete, and advancing at midday northwards of White Chateau and the famous Damstrasse, \vhile further points were reached before night. The enemy was swept back from Wytschaete the highest parts of the ridge, and the western portion of Ploegsteert Wood. In the morning we firmly held the line east of Wytschaete and the backbone of the ridge. The enemy used twelve divisions in the attack. The Portuguese centre put up a magnificent fight, and the Fiftyfifth at Givenchy saved a rather serious disaster The Germans attacked the Fifty-fifth in repeated masses. Our rifles and machine-guns did dreadful execution. As the Portuguese retreated the Germans sought to fling great numbers into the breach, but the cyclist battalions and other troops gallantly stemmed the move against tremendous odds till the line was reformed behind.

HEAVY FIGHTING CONTINUES. WITHDRAWAL FROM ARMENTIERES London, April 11. Sir Douglas Haig reports: The battle is continuing on the whole front from the La Bassee Canal to the YpresComines Canal

Severe fighting occurred in the neighborhood of the Lawe and Lys Canals from about Lestrem to Armentieres. We have withdrawn from Armentieres, which is full of gas. The situation is little changed northward of Armentieres. Heavy fighting was continuing at a late hour last night in the neighborhood of Ploeg« steert, Messines, and Wytsehaete. There was fierce fighting all night. The Germans penetrated to La Creche, near Bailleuel, also to Nieppe, where they were driven out. They were also expelled from the western half of Ploegsteert Wood. There were determined hand-to-hand encounters at Messines and Wytsehaete, which were taken and retaken several times, but the Germans were finally driven out. There were similar scenes at Steenwerck.

STRENGTH OF OPPOSING FORCES. London, April 11. Regarding the numbers on the West front, the actual facts are that there are a few more German divisions than the Allies have, but the AHies' divisions are larger and they proba;b]y have the superiority in men. The Germans concentrated an enormous superiority, of fully 140,000 men, against the Ist Army at the front. The forces of the 3rd Army at the front are apparently approximately- equal to those

TROOPS FIGHTING WITHOUT RESPITE. ENEMY TUJiCST UACK. WITH.GREAT LOSSES. GERMAN DEAD THICK ON THE GROUND. Received April 12, 11.55 p.m. London, April 12. Mr. Philip Gibbg, writing yesterday afternoon, said that to-day the enemy has exerted all his strength in men and gun s between the Lys river and W,vt J fchaete- Our troops have been fighting' without respite. We held him on our main defensive positions, while thrusting 1 him 'bade from important gTound by repeated counter-attacks.

Once again we were outnumbered, and only the courage and stubborn will of our battalions, weakened by casualties, prevented the eneiney from making rapid progress- Instead, he was Hung back at Wytschaete and Messines with most bloody losses. We had given ground along the Lys canal, south of Armentieres. The Germans put up temporary bridges, which we shelled to pieces. We have also given up Armentieres, with its gay little restaurants and teashops. The enemy yesterday reached Wytgchaete and Messines, where the Britishers came up at a great pace, drove the enemy off the crest of the ridge, and dealt him a deadly blow. The German dead now lie thick on the ground which the English, Irish and New Zealanders won in June.

The Germans came on in wave after wave, but at the end of a day's agony they had not gained a yard of the crest, but had 'been beaten back on the reverse side of the slope. After the reverse at Givenchy, the enemy attacked on the Lys canal, north and south of Estaires. it being fometimes shallow enough for the troop? to wade; but the Scotch machine-guns caught the enemy in the ditch and heaped it with their bodies. Some of the Northumberland Fusiliers and Royal Scots, after desperate fighting against overwhelming odds, were forced to abandon HoupHnes.

VALUE OF THE RIDGE. TO HOUND ENEMY OFF ROADS. NIEPPE CLEARED WITHOUBT DIFFICULTY. Received April 12, 11.55 p.m.. London, April 12. Mr. Percival Phillips states that by holding the Messines ridge we have been able for a year past to hound the enemy's traffic off the roads in daylight as far as Merin.

Two German divisions on Wednesday rcorning made a desperate thrust for the, ridge. We held a line between Ploegsteert and Hollebeke with ample strength, including famous Scottish and English batallions. • „

After a bombardment, including many trench mortars, the attackers advanced along the flat towards Ploegsteert. The movement was very gradual, a splendid northward attack developing at Hollebeke and Gheluvclt. In the afternoon small parties of machine-gunners crept southward from Ploegsteert, entering Nieppe and endeavoring to junction with the force which on Tuesday pushed southward round Armentieres. We cleared Nieppe with difficulty.

MESSINES CREST HELD. LYS RIVER THREATENED, London, April 11. It is estimated that the Germans in the Armentieres battle used at least eight divisions against two British and one Portuguese. The Germans throughout Tuesday night made desperate efforts to seize the river crossings at Estaires and Bac St. Mauir. The storm troops were all thrown hack at dawn, though they forced a passage at some points, during Wednesday. They also crossed the Lawe at Lestrein, where later they were thrown back. We still hold the crest of the Messines ridge, though we have lost part of the ' eastern slope. If Armentieres must be evacuated the Germans will only secure a mass of ruins. A much greater danger is the threat against the Lys River.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TDN19180413.2.29.6

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Taranaki Daily News, 13 April 1918, Page 5

Word count
Tapeke kupu
3,093

WESTERN FRONT. Taranaki Daily News, 13 April 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT. Taranaki Daily News, 13 April 1918, Page 5

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