WESTERN FRONT.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 April 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

ACTIVITY OF AVIATORS, j SUCCESSFUL BRITISH OPERATION'S. London, April 2:5. Sir Douglas Ifaig reports: We took 00 pri.-,oners as the result of a successful operation last night northward of Albert, improving our position. We also took a number oi prisoners in the Robecq and \\ vtsohaote areas in local fighting which was to our advantage. He raided the trenches and reached the enemy support lines in the neighborhood of Fampoux (east of Arras). The hostile artillery was active west-l ward of Albert, and'on the bulk of the front from southward of Nieppe Forest to eastward of Ypres. Our artillery engaged concentrations in the Villers-Bre-tonvaux sector and in the neighborhood of Scrre. There was better weather yesterday and greater aerial activity, with inces-i sunt bombing along the whole, front. We dropped 23 tons on Thorout railway station, Menin, Arinentieres, Chaulnes and other targets. Our Jow-llcrs fired thousands of rounds. Enemy machines appeared in great numbers, but were not aggressive. We brought down 13, drove down 0 and rendered others out of control. Five of ours are missing. The pilot of one of the enemy machines brought down was Baron Richthofen. Our night fliers dropped DA tons of bombs on Peronne, Armentieres and Bapaume, also on the railway junction at Chaulnes. London, April 23. A French communi/pie reports: There was nothing beyond lively artillery fire in the .Montdidicr and Noyon region. Between the 20th and 22ml we brought down 23 enemy aeroplanes and captive balloons. Our machines dropped 49,000 kilogrammes (40 tons) of projectiles on railway stations, camps and aerodromes at St. Quentin and elsewhere. We caused fires in the railway stations at Chaulnes and Asafeld, and blew up an ammunition dump east of Ouiscard. PRISONERS' STATEMENTS. ENEMY TROOPS MASSING. London, April 23. Renter's correspondent at British headquarters, writing on April 22, says that the Germans continue massing troops on the Bailleul-Neuve Eglise line in the north and around Dernancourt (near Albert) in the south. Prisoners state that the granting of leave will be resumed in the German Army early in May, which suggests that the enemy anticipates a decision or the abandonment of the offensive by then. _

ENEMY DEFINITELY CHECKED.

NEW ZEALANDERS MENTIONED. London, April 23. Sir Douglas Daig, in a supplementary despatch, says the enemy's progress has been dclinitely cheeked with the aid of Mm* 3rd and 4tli Austral ian Divisions at Mcrincoiirt-i'Abbe and Demaneourt, the New Zealanders at Sern>, and later the sth Australians southward of the Sonmie. By the vigor of their defence all the enemy's attempts continue to be repulsed with the heaviest loss. HEROIC DIVISIONS SIK DOUGLAS HAIG'S RECOGNITION ' OF THEIR WORK London, April 23. Sir Douglas Haig, in a supplementary report, states that the number of divisions employed against the British alone since the opening offensive oil Marqh 21 is already 102. Of these many have been U3ed two or three times. In resisting the heavy blows resulting from such a concentration, all ranks, arms, and services behaved gallantly and with a courage and resolution for which no praise can be too high. Besides the divisions already mentioned for conduct of outstanding gallantry many others were greatly distinguished. The Guards Division, after five days' heavy fighting at Boiry-Becquerel'le, completely repulsed attacks delivered with great strength on March 30, inflicting heavy losses. This division, with the 31st and 3rd Divisions on its right and left, in the Severe lighting on these and other occasions, successfully resisted all the enemy s eliorts to open out the nqrthern flank of the attack. Especially gallant service was performed also on March 28 by the 4th Division northward of the Scarpe, in assisting to break up the attacks launched for Hie capture of Arras and the Vimy Ridge. This division also distinguished itself ou the Lys battle front on the night of April 14-15, when an admirably executed counter-attack took Kiez du Viuage and lot) prisoners, and again on April 18 by repulsing strong attacks south-west-ward of Robecq. MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES. THE 31st DIVISION. London, April 23. Sir Douglas ITaig, in his dispatch, says: The 31st Division on April 13 and 14 was holding a front of IJOOO yards eastward of the Nieppe Forest. Although reduced in strength as the result of previous fighting, and the enemy was still pressing the advance, the division was informed that the line must he held to the last to cover the detraining of reinforcements. All ranks responded to the appeal with the v»ost magnificent courage and devotion, and throughout a long day of incessant lighting (hey beat oil' a succession of determined attacks. The enemy in the evening made a last great effort by sheer weight of numbers to overrun certain positions in the line, whoso defenders died lighting, but would not give ground.