WESTERN FRONT.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 April 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

THE STRATEGIC POSITION KE.UAINS UX ALTERED.

ALLIES' AU.UJES IX UNBROKEN LINE. London, April 14. Reuler s headquarters correspondent, wr.ting at li o'clock 011 Saturday evening. says that the general position at the moment seems to justify the hope that tl;e Germans will achieve 110 mure towards a decision in Glanders than was done in Pieardy and Arttiis. lie lias oVer-run a lot of territory and scored a series of tactical achievements,' but the strategic position remains unaltered. The Allied armies are continuing to face the enemy in an unbroken line.

The situation at the week-end was steadily improving. Although the Germans delivered several heavy attacks to-day at various points they were all repulsed. Our retaking Neuve Eglise may force the enemy to relax hig effort in the direction of Bailleul.

There is a tendency towards a lull in the offensive, which probably means that the Germans are very tired. London, April 14 (0 a.m.). This morning's news is regarded as re. assuring. The British are holding brilliantly against the concentrated weight and fury of the onslaught. The position north-westward of Armentieres is still critical, but timely reinforcements are hourly strengthening the lines. Our tenacious stand at Neuve Eglise and the beating off of repeated attacks towards Bailleul and in other directions are important factors in the situation.

German shells Eet fire to many houses in Bailleul and a strong breeze fanne.l the flames.

Saturday's battles again illustrate tjiextreme ceferity with which successive masses of German troops are thrown forward. We hold an amphitheatre of high ground f™m W.vtsci/aete to Mont Kemmell and Keuve Eglise, also the hills at Fletre and Berthen, behind Bailleul. The enemy is still confined almost evelusively to low-lying country. London, April 14. Sir Douglas Haig reports: We repulsed after heavy fighting throughout the evening, attacks from Meteren to Mulverghem, and also repulsed a fourth attack on Neuve Eglise.

We beat off last evening a determined attack near Festubfrt. On this portion of the battle front and northwestward as far as Locon numerous enemies were effectively engaged at short range by infantry and artillery fire. Respite numerous strong attacks at all parts of the Lys battlefront, our line remains intact, ami the enemy's losses verv severe throughout yesterday. Fighting re-opened last evening at Neuve Eglise and the enemy recommenced liis attacks in the ■neighborhood of Bailleul this they continue. The French evening communique says: There were artillery actions between Montdidier and Xovon. Our reconnoitring parties here brought, back prisoner". We penetrated (he enemy lines north of the St. Mihiel, Ember, Mesnil, and Bures sectors in Lorraine and took prisoners. A fierma n coup-de-main, north of the Hill 304 region! and attacks in the St. Mihiel, Woeuvre and 'Bonhomme Hill were, repulsed.

GERMAN feic GUNS,

THREE LOCATED Paris, April 14. The Petit Journal states that three long-range guns have been located half a mile apart. One is out of action. Many naval guns in the vicinity fire simultaneously for the purpose of confusing aerial observation. The guns are St.") feet long and two-tliirds of the length is barrel.

WAVES OF GERMANS, i

j ENGULF SMALL BRITISH FORCES London, April 14. Mr. Robinson, Times' correspondent, says that the advances of the Germans in all parts of the battlefields are telling the same story. Wave after wave against small British forces, great numbers succeed in getting through somewhere and flow round like the tide en. circling a sand castle on the seashore.

LOSSES IN PARIS. Paris, April 14. Official.—The latest figures of the Paris air raid casualties are 2G killed and 72 injured. A COASTAL BOMBARDMENT. London, April 14. German official.—British monitors and aeroplanes on the night of the 12th attacked the coast of Flanders, bombarded Ostend and bombed Zeebrugge. Our batteries repulsed the attacks. An enemy torpedoer approached Ostend, but was hit, set on fire, abandoned and captured with full equipment. The Admiralty says the reference above is to a small motor boat which is missing.

LORD FRENCH'S WORDS. London, April 14. Lord French lias telegraphed to Sir Douglas Haig:—"ln heart and thought, I wish you and mv old comrades success in this time of trial. lam confident the lustre and illumination of the glorious army in every phase of the camp:/gu will continue to shine as brightly as ever."

3ENERAL SAKRAIL RETIRED. ! Paris, April 14. A Ministerial decree places General Sarrail on the second reserve list. BATTLE BECOMING ESTABLISHED. Times Servce. Received April 15, 5.5 p.m. London, April 14. Headquarters correspondent states that the tattle i 3 steadily becoming established-

' ENCOURAGING NEWS. Ol'K LINES ijiOLDIM; j/JJUI. Received April 1 0, 0.30 p.m. London, April 14. Renter headquarters correspondent ntatcs: "I judge that the. most critical period ot the battle on the 12th was the. stagu • whi'u, had the enemy preyed his advantage, the consequences would have been serious. His failure to improve the opportunity was presumably because ho could not. Since then there lias been a steady improvement in our general position.

The latest news is very encouraging, almost cheering. Our lines are holding firm. The formidable thrust at present is arrested. His position tactically is not good- Conditions might develop that Will render it distinctly had.. United Service. Mr. Lovat Eraser momentarily expects the launching of a fresh, great attack between Arras and the Luce, lie repudiates the rash stories of enemy losses, and estimates they are not greatly heavier than ours.

FIGHTING AT NEUVE EGLISE. BRITISH RETAIN POSSESSION'. ATTACKS REPULSED ELSEWHERE Aus. and NX. Cable Assoc. and Reuter. Received April 15, 5.5 p.m. London, April 14 (9.50 p.m.). Sir Douglas Uaig reports: After many hours of* obstinate fighting during the night and this morning about Neuve Kglise, we remained in possession of the village. The attacks were pressed with great determination, the enemy's losses throughout being heavy- The tnemy today renewed his attempts against the village, and the fighting continues. We repulsed this morning attacks in the neighborhood of Bailleul and JVlerris. Our artillery dispersed infantry attempting an attack in the forenoon north-west of Merville.

Hostile artillery has been active in the neighborhood of Albert. Our low-fliers reconnoitred tlio battlefront, dropping 1200 bombs on enemy troops on the roads leading to tho front. There have been a few air fights with indecisive results-

THE FIRST PHASE OVER. ALLIES AWAIT NEXT ONSLAUGHT UNDISMAYED. Received April 15, 7-30 p.m. London, April 14 (11.50 p.m.) The storm troops are apparently held, with Bailleul, Hazebrouck, Lillers, and Bethune still in General Ilaig's possession. The lighting has liccojiib patchy at various points. Tlie first phase of the great attack is seemingly over. Fighting will not cease for come time yet, but nnother critical period has been put behind the Allies, who await onslaught undismayed. IN THE OLD BRITISH WAY. HOW OUR MEN ARE STICKING IT.

A PROLONGED BAT.LE LIKEL* Received April 15, 5.5 p.m. London, April 11. Mr. Garvin, in the Observer, says: ''ln the sternest crisis our centurions of the Both, 51st, and !)th Divisions have shown ns how to stick it in the old British way that always led from long resistance to final victory."

After reviewing the position, he tieclares that the battle cannot lie other than prolonged, wide, changing and terl ible, .calling forth tho utmost faculties. Merely by playing out this campaign without suffering a catastrophe and maintaining an unbroken front the Allies will make absolutely sure of ultimate victory.

Mr. Garvin adds that 200,000 British troops have crossed the Channel since March 21.

ROAD TO COAST BLOCKED. EFFECT OF BRITISH EFFORTS. Paris, April 14. M. Marcel Hutin says that the British efforts in Flauders are making themselves more and more felt. The hitter fighting of our tenacious allies has rendered nugatory the enemy's attempts to break through between Hazebrouck and Ypres. The British are successfully disputing ground until the arrival of French reinforcements. It may be taken as certain that the road to Dunkirk and Calais is blocked to the enemy.

HOPEFUL VIEW.

RESERVES READY FOR ACTION, Paris, April 34. Semi-official: The battle in Flanders continues violently, but to-day there is definite slowing down of the enemy's advance, which henceforth it should he possible to hold back, as the Allied reinforcements are ready to ho brought up and put in the battle line. The German advance southward of Mcteren outflanks Bailleul, which, however, the Allies still hold. The Germans continue to attack on the whole French front with a view of keeping our reserves from the principal battle area, but therein they have failed, [or tho French troops occupying the sectors concerned are sufficient to repel all enemy efforts. The great mass of our reserves is intact and at tho disposal of the general command.

WITH THEIR BACKS TO THE WALL "AO MiUthMiEU" LN' THEIR SOULS. BATTLE SCENES VIVIDLY DEPICTED. Received April 15, S Jim. London, April 14 (11.30 p.m.). Sir. l'hilip Gibus says Sir Douglas tlaigs order should rovjjal to the world what is happening out here. The enemy's objectives are to seize the Channel ports and destroy the British army. He brought frightful forces to achieve the plan, making necessary the call upon our troops to hold, every position to tile lust man.

Many of our men have been lighting day and night for weeks. They do so because the spirit wakes again above bodily fatigue. Some have fought continuously since March 21, many in rearguard actions with tlio enemy on both Hanks. Truly they have been fighting with their backs against the wall. England and Scotland must steel their hearts to this sacrifice. The enemy still storms against its with fresh men and more fresh men in overwhelming numbers. Little groups have been left out of the gallant companies, these bands of brothers belonging to English and Scottish regiments. They have "No Surrender!" in their souls. If they yield it will bo to death.

| Tim dreadful scene of war draws near places long outside the war zone, where I wir soldiers lived on familiar terms among' the people- Tlie night scene is of an inferno—clear, starlight nights, with tho horizon lit for miles from burning stores and ammunition dump?, combined with bonfires of farm houses and villages and the flash of guns. Yesterday the weather changed, there being no sunlit sicr. It wa s a strange and terrible tiling to stand behind tho line with ears tingling with the noise of the greatest battle in history, hut we were unable to see the shellbursts where the tumult of gunfire was greatest. South of Bailleul we saw guns coming up, the gunners being dusty white men, saying little and getting immediately into action. Little bodies ofimantry were marching up, with heavy packs and slung rilk's, gray eyes and tightened lips. It's courage, not light-heartedness, that keeps these men cheerful, because they Uitnw die truth in all its nakedness.

Tlie worst tragedy, apart from the ■>rdcal of our lighting, is the plight of the people who are now compelled to flee from the advancing of war. These old women and young girls are .enormously brave, departing in farm carts, on bicycles, afoot, and in wheelbarrows or perambulators, or riding on ■British gun waggons or lorries, tlie girls calling "Good luck!" to our soldiers. Many villagers stand about among our steel-hearted men until the last moment, when they must go or die. Our fighters have exceeded all records v.f valor, although they have already filled three yc-ars with acts of courage.

When the centre was broken at Laventie by the colossal thrust against the Portuguese, the defence of Estaires was placed in the hands of the Northumberland?, East Yorkshires, and the Durliams. It was too late to form a strong defensive line.

THE BATTLE OF THE LYS. FIGHTING AT ESTAIRES, ■ SOME CHARACTERISTIC MESSAGES GERMANS SHOT LIICE RABBITS. Received April 10, 10.30 p.m. London, April 14. Mr. Gibbs adds: They met attack after attack by unceasing waves, but held the crossings of the Lys until the enemy struck into Bach St. Maur. There was a race for the river, and the Durhams got there first and faced the enemy on the other side, raking them with rifle fire. A party of Durhams held the salient at Lestrem for a long time, until compelled by a trench mortar bombardment to fall back across the river. The enemy crossed between the bridgeheads and stormed into the western part of Estaires, which was filled with shellfire. The Durhams and Nortlmmberlands charged down the streets, clearing the enemy out, and making a no man's land for fifty yards beyond the bridgehead, which was covered with machine guns. Their line was turned by the enemy breaking through close to Armentieres and compelling them to withdraw. A party of East Yorkshires received a message saying: "Enemy behind," but they refused to retire until they were surrounded and overpowered. The brigade major defending Merville telephoned: "Enemy surrounding the house." The general replied: "You had better hop it." The major said: "Thanks, I will," and strolled coolly out of the back door while the Germans were entering the front. There was fierce street fighting at Merville, the Germans repeatedly attacking, and being shot'down like rabbits.

Great battles continue from Wytschacte to Neuve Eglise. The South Afrit .■ails' charge at Messines was one of the finest things ever cioiie, because they had not rested after! the battle ol the ftomine. '

SUPER-GUN STILL BUSY. Paris, April 14. The longe-range bombardment has filtered on a new phase. After firing during the day Hie guns renewed the< bombardment at midnight for an hour. There were no casualties.

ARRIVAL OF FRENCH RESERVES. Received April 15, 11.SO p.m. London, April 15 (11.15 a.m.) Mr. Hamilton Fyfi'o states that the French reinforcements have arrived.

BATTLE AS INTENSE AS EVER. OUR FORCES INCREASING. MAIN BOW SLOWLY J-ALLS BACK. SUPERB COURAGE OF TIIE BEITISTf TROOPS. ■ ( ■ Received April 15, 5.5-p.m. Reuter Service-

London, April 14 (9.35 p.m.). British reports: A bitter east wind is blowing. The visibility is Very low. The situation generally is unchanged. The enemy continues to employ fresh troops. We are steadily increasing our forces, and consequently the battle Ta more stationary, although as intense as ever.

The Germans' continuous heavy attacks during the past, two days have undoubtedly been based on the calculation that the British are worn out and another smashing blow would finish us; but with fresli reinforcements helping, the defenders have flung back the attacking masses with terrible losses. Frequently his advance is cheeked by a barrier of piled up corpses.

Our rearguard lighting-has been most skilful and valiant beyond praise, while the machine-gunners, holding a series of little posts, poured bullets into the enemy until their ammunition was exhausted. The main body have slowly (alien back upon prepared positions. Each backward step was made perfectly and methodically, exacting a full price. Never have troops fought with such ■superb, courage or tenacity as they are now displaying. They have got their backs to the wall indeed, and General Hag's order has vastly heartened them. The enemy is fighting desperately with mechanical bravery and iron discipline. / ■

ENEMY'S SECOND THRUST FAILS.

THE ATTACK HAS SPENT ITSELF. GERMANS DRIVEN BACK. Times Service. Received April 15, 11.30 p.m. London, April 15. Mr. Robinson, writing on the 14th, says: "The second great German thrust has, I think, spent itself. Along tho whole line the enemy is beating against a continuously stiffening resistance, and his attaekc have lost their original momentum. Several counter-attacks have definitely driven back'tho Germans, whos» progress since Thursday has been comparatively trifling. Tlie centre attack, beyond Merville, is now making little headway. "Along the edges of the forest ot Nieppe to Rosoek hard fighting continues. The enemy's guns are insignificant, their losses being vastly greater than ours. ''That the second German blow has definitely failed to break the British de. fences is, I think, as certain as the failure of the first attempt.' 7

BOMBARDMENTS ON FRENCH LINE. ifeeetved April 15, 11.30 p,m.London, April 15. A French communique states: There has been a reciprocal bombardment at several parts, but no infantry 1 actions.