GERMAN WOUNDED.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 April 1918, Page 5

GERMAN WOUNDED.

THRICE WHAT WERE EXPECTED. Received Apr!', 18, 7.15 p.m. Amsterdam, April IS. The Germans have turned five leading hotels in Brussels into hospitals. Similar measures have been taken at Liege and Antwerp, the number of jngiugeiMiggg thrice wjaat was ex^eeted.

AN APPALLING PRICE.

WHAT THE ENE-AIST IS PAYING.

FOR HIS ATTEMPTS TO CRUSH BRITISH. Received April 16, 9 5 p.m. London, April 15. Renter's representative at British headquarters, writing on the evening of tho 15th, says the enemy has not yet been brought to a standstill in the Flanders battle. Their re-occupation of Neuve Egliae and the desperate struggle to advance towards Bailleul shows the enemy is able and willing to continue to pay an appalling price in his attempt to crush the British army. On the contrary, every hour the strength of the defence is increasing. Tho enemy's failure to reach his final objective in the Sommc battle is being repeated to-day. The enemy's programme was to reach Kenimel on April 10. He is only three miles from Kemmel ridge, but to-day he is no nearer, than on Friday, since when reinforcements have 'been flung across the Germans' path. Interesting l details of the German losses are coming in. The 16th Division and the 17tli Reserve 'Division on the 11th April got a terrible gruelling and were forced to retire upon their starting point. A prisoner of-the s'2nd Reserve of Infantry reluctantly paid tribute to tho magnificent fighting of the British fna-chine-gunners, who on the 23rd March reduced the prisoner's company to half its strength. ENEMY HELD UP {AT (NEUVE EGLISE. ANOTHER GREAT THRUST IMPENDING. Received Aprl 10, 9.5 p.m. London, April 15. Reuter states the enemy is held up around Neuve Eglise. A great thrust is impending towards Bailleul. , Mr.' Robinson reports that a re-attacli on Bailleul failed. Our artillery broke it up. NEW ZEALANDERS' CASUALTIES. LIGHTER' THAN AT PASSGHENDAELE. GENERAL BIRDWOOD ACTS PROMPTLY. United Service. Received April 16, 5.5 p.m. London, April 15. The Australians' casualties are remarkably light, tjie New Zealanders' being proportionately heavier,. but less than at Passchendaele. It ia now permissible to state that General Birdwood was on furlough in England when the offensive started. He motored to Hythe and acroplaned thence to France, reaching headquarters in ninety minutes. He immediately issued the following order: "The time has now come to take the strain. Whatever selfsacrifice is involved I confidently appeal to eveiy indvidual to remember the lasting traditions which his force has made."

.IMPORTANCE OF HAZEBROUCK

HIGH POINTS IN OUR POSSESSION. GERMAN ARROWHEAD HELD'IIP. Received April 16, 7.15 p.m. London, April 15 (5.30 p.m.). There are indications that the second German thrust has lost its prime momentum. The German generals are looking for a third field for attack, possibly between Lens and Arras. Meanwhile desperate fighting continues in the direction of Kazebrouck.

The loss of Neuve Eglise is regrettable, as it was the centre of bloody fighting, but the neighboring highlands of Mont Descats, Mont Rouge, and Mont Kemmel are still in our possession, while British infantry are entrenched in the forest of Nieppe, holding up the German arrowhead just beyond Merville Officers and men alike 1 applaud the manner in which the battle of Armentieres has been handled.

Tiie Australians, New Zealanders, ajifl Canadians hold the line against the enemy's advance towards Amiens. Some Australian wounded are arriving in England from the battlefields of Dernancourt, south of the Somme, and elsewhere, but the .bulk of the wounded r»* main in the hospitals in France. There is great pressure on shipping for France, but the ships are not full when returning.

Hazebroiick plays tho part in th« battle of Armentieres Amiens plays in the battle of Piqardv, Hazebrouck being on the artery connecting Calais with Ypres,