FRENCH RESERVES.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 April 1918, Page 5

FRENCH RESERVES.

NOT USED BY THE BRITISH, Received April 10, 7.10 p.m. Paris, April 15, Maurice Barres, in Le Echo de Paris, states that the French reserves which Sir Douglas Haig mentioned in his army order duly reached reached the British front, but did not have to go into action. The British redoubled their energy and were able to beat off the attacks, alone.

The French .publie are gratified with the extension of General Foch's title to Commander-in-Chief of the Allied armies. The widest powers for co-ordination of the Alliad front is considered essential for the successful launching of a counteroffensive, which is the only means jof stopping the eneaij; bull fu&hea.i

GREAT ACHIEVEMENTS BY NEW 2EALANDERS.

HIGH SPIRITED AND FULL OF CONFIDENCE. (From Captain Malcolm Boss, Official War Correspondent with the New Zealand Forces.) . By Cable, April 11. During the past few' days there has been little fighting on our front, but the artillery on both sides has been active. Mist and rain have made observation difficult, but prisoners state that the German offensive will be renewed when the weather improves. Meanwhile we are strengthening the position we hold. As the days pass and we gain more information, the more certa'n it appears that we inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy. In I places his dead were thick in the trenches jand there are many strewn about the open country.

The spirit of our men ig simply splendid, and even when relief is due many would prefer to remain in the front lines. There are instances of men suffering from trench feet asking doctors to give them whale oil to rub in, so that they might hasten back to their comrades in the firing line. We may not be out of the wood yet, but the gallantry and determination of the New Zealanders is such as to justify the opinion that unless the enemy comes on in overwhelming or under greatly superior gunfire,, he will have a bad time in any attack on our lines.

INDIVIDUAL PROWESS AND . GALLANTRY. One continues to hear many instances', of individual prowess and gallantly. A northern member of Parliament has again distinguished himself. After weary marches, with little rest or sleep, he led his company into action in splendid style, and when several of his men were killed and wounded by shell-fee he went under heavy machine-gnn fire to their assistance, and on his own broad shoulderscarried one out to safety. ,A corpora], who already wears thei Military Medal, held, with six men, -a difficult position under shellfire until assistance arrived, and, though ■refused to leave the battlefield until he was ordered away by his commander. A lieutenant, who waß directing an assault against a strong position held by six machine guns and over forty men, organised three bombing attacks, and led his men with great dash to the final assault, capturing the guns and twentyfive prisoners. He then directed the consolidation of the captured position. A private, who was leading man of a. "mopping-up party," killed tea Germansin as many minutes.

These are only a few of many similar deeds of heroism and initiative.

The Lewis gunners had a busy time Lfrom the commencement of the fighting, and when the enemy (resistance was broken a still busier time, firing into the retreating enemy. They went boldly into action, and some i continued working their guns after they were wounded. One fired until his gun was blown from his hands, then got another gun and resumed firing. All this was (lone in the face of very determined fighting on the part of the enemy.

STUBBORN RESISTANCE OVERCOME. The German officers showed greater bravery and initiative than usual. An officer, extracts from whose diary were given in a previous message, came on with seven of his men with a cane in one hand and a waterproof over the other arm, right up to our wire. One youngster, a rifleman, climbed over the parapet, and, pointing a revolver at him, claimed him as his prisoner. The German officer knocked the revolver aside with his cane. He was a big man, over six feet, but the young New Zealander got a shot in and wounded him in the arm. Still he ; refused to surrender, but the Lewis gunners then got on to the party and killed the officer and several of the men. Other German officers directed bombing parties from the parapet. Yet, in spite of all this, our men proved more than a match for them, and in the end prevailed against a greatly superior force. AWARDS FOR GALLANTRY. The following immediate awards have already been published in Orders:— D.5.0.: Rifleman C. A. Tucker, Rifleman A. L. Sturmey. Military Medal: Corporal G. Slater, Corporal J. Moffitt, Private J. McPraser, Private C. 0. McCoskirie, Private W. Hickey, Sergeant A, Rowe, Private C. Couch, Private H. Flowerday, Private A. E. Bishoprick, Sergeant J. H. Badley, Lance-Corporal E. W, Glogoski, Lance-C'orJjoral A. M. Gill, Private P. G. Gates, Sergeant C. E. Dowsing, Sergeant R. G. Hart, Sergeant L. Thomas, Private A. Martin, Corporal C. R. Wilson, Private E. H. Smith, Private W. Todd, Corporal C. A. Ryder, Private L. W. Symons, Private J. T. Turley, Corporal J. H. Bain, all of Auckland; Private W G. C. Ware, Sergeant R. Hatton, Lance-Corporal j. Robson, Corporal H. M. McFarlane, Private H. J. Willis, Private A. Kindberg, Corporal A. Smylie, all of, Wellington.

MINOR OPERATIONS. Aus. and N.Z. Cubic Assoc. and Reuter. Received April I<3, 815 p.m. London, April 15 (10.20 p.m.). Sir Douglas Haig reports that fighting occurred this afternoon in the neighbor hood of Bailleul and Wulverghem, and is being continued. Hostile artillery was active between Givenchy and Robeck. Our artillery effectively engaged bodies of infantry at La Bassee and on the Estaires road.

SUCCESSFUL FRENCH RAIDS. London, April 15. A French communique reports: We made several raids between Montdidier, Noyon, and south of Mont Tetu, in the Champagne. Enemy attempts north of the Chemin des Dames and south-east of Oorbeny were unsuccessful.

A FRENCH REPORTReceived April 16, 10.40 p.m. London, April 16 (1.15 a.m.) A French communique states: The artillery duel was very violent in the region of Hangard-en-Santerre. Our artillery dispersed enemy assemblages on the outskirts of Deinuin. There was lively cannonading in the region of Avo. court. A GERMAN CLAIM. Received April 16, 10.40 p.m. London, April 16. TVe have captured the enemy's lines north-east of Wulverghem (1% miles in

A BIG GAMBLE. ...

COMPLETE VIOtOBX. *8 London, April The Manchester Guardian publisJmPj§ candid German critic's whioh he says: This is our l&st cbMgj for complete victory, because later ti American Army will be big. It $ frightful gamble and has cost (iltm! hall a million casualties and will a million in another three weeks. . ] This will be Justifiable if Hiadeabffl drives the British into the aea> oti|6 wise we shall be reduced to two lilt lions in the West facing odd# ol two. /'V| , If we had placed safety first we have economised in men and inriltr?s doubts. The German staff worje sgflti better than the British and our are on a (bigger scale, but our goinijn not worth the losses unless we iutt the British. Everything depends Q&rfi next drives. —;—— AN ABSOLUTELY OTCED 'APwfy Keuter Service. Received April 16, 5.5 pjn. London, The respective Governments hax»'fls en General Foch the wMest powers,* his action will be unquestioned. 4t> an absolutely raited At>oWev.»£3 American army, will be constitatodiv: