ATTACKS SOUTH OF THE SOMME HELD UP.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 77, 1 April 1918, Page 5

ATTACKS SOUTH OF THE SOMME HELD UP.

TEN DIVISIONS FAIL TO DENT THE ARRAS LINE. LONDON, March 31. Sir Douglas Haig. reports:—North, of the Somme local actions only have occurred. The enemy's attacks yesterday at Demuin, on tho River do Luce, and Mezieres, 3J miles east of Moruil, south of the Somme, were pressed back by our troops from tho latter village. All the enemy's attacks at Demuin broke down after sharp fighting lasting throughout the afternoon. Our cavalry during the past week havo fought with great gallantry both mounted and dismounted, and repulsed the enemy, inflicting heavy losses in numerous engagements. Apart from local fighting at different points, the enemy to-day pressed no attacks north' of the Somme. We gained ground at certain places. Heavy hostile attacks developed this morning south of the Somme, in the neighbourhood of Mezieres and Memuin. The fighting here continues. Captured documents show that the attack on Thursday astride of the River Scarpe aimed at the capture of Vimy Ridge and Arras. It was conducted by at least six divisions in the front line, with four assault divisions in support. Despite this force the attack made no considerable impression on our battle position, and resulted in a severe enemy defeat. There was heavy fighting further south between Boiry and Serre, two miles north-east of Beaumont Hamel, which had no greater success. Eleven hostile divisions have been identified. An earlier report stated:—Further strong enemy attacks occurred yesterday morning and evening at several points north of the Somme. We maintained our positions, and also gained ground in several places by successful counter-attacks. We also captured prisoners and machine-guns. The enemy's casualties were exceedingly heavy. His frequent attacks were pressed with great determination all day, but only gained outpost linos after several hours' severe hand-to-hand fighting. Hia reserves were then sent forward against our battle positions, but were everywhere thrown back with great losses. Our machine-guns, artillery, and rifle fire did great execution. The Press Bureau, describing the situation on Friday evening, announces: We have maintained all our positions north of the Somme, where no serious attacks developed during the day. Heavy fighting occurred south of the Somme. We have been pressed back to a line west of Le Hamel, Marcelcave, and Demuin. The French line south of Demuin runs from Mezieres to La Neuville sire Denard to Bratibus to just west ol Montdidier. There has been further lieavy fighting to-day on this line. The French counter-offensive between Montdidier and Lassigny continues. Fresh French troops are arriving. The French line east of Lassigny has not changed. A captured German order shows that the objective of the divisions attacking on March 21 near St. Quentin was the Somme near Le Hamel, a distance of 11 miles. The divisions actually penetrated under three miles.— (A. and N.Z. and Reuter.) Sir Douglas Haig. report on aviation work states:—The majority of our aeroplane attacks were made south of the Somme, where large concentrations of troops were constantly reported. The aeroplanes continued to work until dark, despite rainstorms and low clouds. They fired nearly a quarter of a million rounds of ammunition. There was not much air fighting considering the number of British machines in the air, but on the battlefront the fire from the ground was again heavy. We brought down nine German machines and drove down five others out of control, while fire from the ground brought down two. Twelve of ours are missing. A French communique reports:—Our airmen, despite the weather, flying in groups, heavily sprayed with machine-gun bullets and bombs the enemy battle-line and concentration zoneß. Eight tons of projectiles were dropped in the Noyon, Guiscard, and Ham regions. One squadron brought down 13 enemy machines.—(A. and N.Z. and Reuter.) The War Office reports:—North of the Somme the situation remains unchanged. South of the Somme our positions have been maintained. Heavy attacks on the French front enabled the Germans to gain ground west of the Avre and south and south-east of Montdidier. The enemy captured the villages of Aubvillers, Grivesnes, Cantigny, Mesnil St. Georges, Le Montohel, and Avencourt. Heavy fighting is proceeding east of the latter place, and the exact situation is not known. The weather hae broken and heavy rain is falling—(A. and N.Z. and Reuter.)