BATTLE CONTINUES WITH GREAT INTENSITY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 72, 25 March 1918, Page 5

BATTLE CONTINUES WITH GREAT INTENSITY.

ATTACKS ON NEW LINE REPULSED WITH HEAVY LOSS.

(Received 10.45 a.m.) LONDON, March 24. General Sir Douglas Haig reports:—The battle is continuing with the greatest intensity on the whole front southward of the Scarpe River. Our troops have taken up their new positions southward and westward of St. Quentin, and are heavily engaged with the enemy. Strong hostile attacks during the night in the neighbourhood of Jussy, 13 miles south of St. Quentin, were repulsed with great enemy losses. On the northern portion of the battlefront the enemy's attacks were pressed with the utmost determination, regardless of losses, but our troops maintained their positions on the greater part of this front after a fierce and prolonged struggle. Great gallantry was shown by the troops engaged in the fighting in this area and to tho southward, The Nineteenth and Ninth Divisions distinguished themselves by the valour of their defence. In one sector six attacks, in which German cavalry participated, were beaten off by one of our infantry brigades. The enemy's attacks continue with great violence.—(A. and N.Z. and Reuter.)