WITH THE FRENCH.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 9263, 8 April 1918, Page 5

WITH THE FRENCH.

CONFIDENCE CONFIRMED. j (deceived April 8. 1.0.30 a.m.) ! X LONDON. April 6. i 1? enters correspondent . with the French army says:-- - . The results of the first two days oi

.the renewed battle brilliantly confirm the French assurances that the enemy was not only hold, but held by half their number of Anglo-French troop*. <iho disproportion on the purely French line from Thenncs to Grivesnes is even greater. Fifteen German . divisions, whorof seven were entirely fresh, attacked this front, but were checked by a few- French divisions, who not only held them, but were able to counterattack'and recapture part of tho ground carried by the enemy on Thursday. ' ■

The enemy's objective was again the Amiens railway and town. The 15 attacking divisions included some of the enemy's best troops. . They repeatedly returned;to the.assault, attacking until late at night. , The battle was suspended to-day on the Gorman-side, owing to the enemy troops being exhausted,' whereupon the French successfully counter-attacked at several points.' notably! Mailly, Reineval, and Cantigoy. The front line now passes th«j A vie, close to its junction with the Luce, thence running west to .Castel, thence between Morisel Rouvrel, around MailJy Rainoval. The gain of ground is practically all in the northern angle. The bulge has no importance for the issue of the battle. .