A PROLONGED STRUGGLE.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 April 1918, Page 5

A PROLONGED STRUGGLE.

A FOOTERS GAMED IN METEREN. Aus, and NjZ. Cable Asan. and Reuter. Received April 17, 10.15 p.m. Loudon. April 27 (12.15 a.m.) Sir Douglas Haig reports: Severe fightins occurred to-day from Metorcn to Wyisehaete. The enemy renewed liU attacks in strei«»th at dawn in tlna neighborhood ox Wytsehaete and Spanbrockmolen, supported by a heavy bombardment He approached our positions under cover of tho mist, and after a prolonged struggle, sained both localities. The enemy also obtained a footing in Meteren, where the fighting continues.

Attacks on other parts of this front were repulsed.

The enemy thin morning delivered a strong local attack on our positions op. posite Boyelles, southward of Arras. The lighting eonruvue3. Hostile arUUerying is rnoTe active southward of Albert, in tho neighborhood of the La Bassee canal. Our artillery dispersed Infantry near Loeon. Mutual artillerying has increased at Passcliendaele,

Aviation report: Tho weather was unfavorable yesterday, only permitting low altitude flights. We dropped over four tons of hambs on different targets and secured direct Kite. A heavy bomb fell on a 'argo infantry column. No German aircraft wero enwrantered, One of ,ours la missing.

EXTRAORDINARY VIOLENCE,

NORTHERN FRONT IN A BLAZE. BRITISH EXACTING TERRIFIC TOLL. Times Service.

Received April 18, 12.45 a.m. London, April 17. Mr. 'Robinson writes that the whole strength of the enemy effort has now turned northward. He is attacking with extraordinary violence at Meteren and Wytschaeto. After forcing us out of Bailleul and the low ridge in the vicinity of Ravelsberg, he re-attacked fiercely against AVytsehaete. The terrific onslaught continued till mid-day. It was reported in the afternoon that we had fallen back from Wytschaeto to the forward slopes of the ridge Peekham-Spanbrock Moleu, the scene of the huge mine explosions last June.

Northwards the whole front is in a blaze. '

Six.' battalions held the Bailleul line against three stubbornly till they were compelled to withdraw to the smoking ruins, where the moat savage fighting continued all night. Before dawn we drew back north of the town, where we stood off further at. tacks till to-day, when the bloodiest fighting extended in the direction of Meteren, but we did not yield further ground.

NOTHING VITAL LOST.

GENERALS CALM AND CONFIDENT. CASUALTIES SLIGHT BY COMPARISON. Received April 18, 12.45 ajn. London, April 17. Mr. Lloyd George, in the House of Commons, stated that General Plumer and other British generals were calm, and confident that wo had lost nothing viftii. General Foch was equally confident, and our casualties were slight as compared with the enemas.

•GERMAN OFFICIAL MESSAGE. Received April 17, 8.30 pjn. London, April 16 (11.50 p.m.). Wireless German official: We stormed Wulverghcm in a surprise attack, also the positions astride the village. We captured the heights between Neuve Chappelle and Bailleul. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn. and Reuter. Received April 18, 12.45 p.m. London, April 17 (12.30 ajn.). Wireless German official: We stormed the height of Wytschaete.