GERMANS AT BAY

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15894, 7 May 1917, Page 7

GERMANS AT BAY

FIGHTING FOR THEIR EXISTENCE ORIENTAL RECKLESSNESS OF LIFE. DESPERATE STRUGGLE ON THE HINDENB ORG LINE. FREfICH OCCUPY CRAONNE AND SUPPORTING POSITIONS. OFFENSIVE AGAINST PETROGRAD POSTPONED. CHINA TO DECLARE WAR ON GERMANY. (3rd YEAR—2BOth DAY.)

the western theatrl

GERMANY FIGHTING | FOR LIFE. I j ORIENTAL RECKLESSNESS ! SHOWN. STRUGGLE INCREASING IN INTENSITY. (By Cable—Press Association— Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received May 6th, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 5. Mr Pbilip Gibbs states:— "Evct since our great attack on Vimy Ridge, the enemy has fought desperately and ferociously, flinging great forccs into battle in or cr keen us away from tfio Hindenburg line between Drocourt and Queant. "Fresh divisions of troops and g«nß have travelled across Germany, includ- ; n c many who were recently fighting,on the Eastern front. , Specially trained troops have been hurled against our lines, and have suffered appalling losses. Opposite Guemappo and GavrcUo the enemy lie dying m heaps, but there are masses behind, and sti other masses behind them. o gruesome business goes on. "Tho Windmill, near Gavrolle, mentioned in, yesterday's cable, has now changcd hands eight times. At present wo hold it. _ "There are scarcely less bitter smuggles for Oppy and Roeux tfiere picked enemy troops hold the nl ages, suffering tiie bloodiest losses under our bombardments. • "South of the Scarpo tho enemy losses so far have amounted to a reaL massacre. This is no figure of speech, b„t the utter truth. Yet other waves are ordered forward with Oriental recklessness of human life. "Tho enemy has greatly increased his gun power, using all calibres of ma-chine-guns and trench mortars. "Thus our men are now fighting tne hardest battles of the deadly struggle. "The enemy seems to be fighting tor life, knowing that he must now win or die. His men wero so hard-pressed, that he was obliged to send three pioneer battalions to the fighting line until reinforcements of fighting troops

arrived. . , "Our shells are devastating tho defences of Oppy Wood, but the enemy is bringing np many new batteries, including long-range guns. Our aeroplanes aro spotting the new gun positions, and alreadv a number liave been knocked out by direct hits."

ILL POSITIONS HELD, COUNTER-ATTACKS BROKEN, j (Australian und Cablo Association*) | (Rcutor'a Telegrams.) . (Received Slay 6th, 5.5 p.m.) | LONDON, May 5. ! Sir Douglas Haig reports:— j "Wo carried out a successful raid j eastward of Lo \crguier, and pro-j pressed northward of Havrincourt j "Wood and in the neighbourhood of j Fresnoy. , "During the night the enemy thrco , times counter-attacked our new posi- ; tions on the Hindenburg line. "Thoy artillery broke the first atttack, ; and our infantry the others. j "We repulsed raids in the neighbour- j hood of Messines." ! ANOTHER POO PRISONERS. j MANY ENEMY AEROPLANES | BROUGHT DOWN. | (Received Mav 6th, 5.0 p.ni.) ■LONDON. .May 5. Sir Douglas Haig reports : — "Wo took upwards of MO prisoners . on Thursday. "To-day we strengthened tho posi-; tion captured in a sector of the Hinden- ; burg lino, and progressed eastwards ' along the enemy trenches. j 'In air fighting on Thursday I 1 j $nomy machines wero brought down, j and none of ours is missing." j

NEW FRENCH ADVANCE

CAPTURE OP CRAONiSTE. PROGRESS NEAR RHEIMS. (Received Mav 6th, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 5. A French commnniqud states: — "We have captured the village of Craonne, and several strong points to tho east and north of it, after a lively artillery preparation. "In the region north-west of Rheims, we launched an attack, and carried tho first German lines on a front of four kilometres, capturing 600 prisoners. "There has been a furious artillery duel in tho Champagne throughout the day to the south and south- west of Moronvillers." FURTHER FRENCH ADVANCE. FIERCE COUNTER-ATTACKS FAIL. FRESH ENEMY DIVISIONS IN ACTION. (Australian and N.Z, Cable Association.) (Renter's Telegrams.) (Received May 6th, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. May 5. A French, communique states: — "The Germane violently counter-at-tacked the Craonne positions captured yesterday. "Our machine-gun and artillery fire inflicted very heavy losses on the assailants, who were unable to reach our lines at any point. "We also repulsed a strong attack south-east of Berry-au-Bao. "Tho enemy north-west of Rheims attempted violent infantry counterattacks after our attack yesterday. The struggle was particularly stubborn, and our troops several times repulsed ooun-ter-attacks carried out with large effectives.

"During the evening important German reserves were thrown in, but our batteries smashed them. The enemy losses were heavy.

"Wo identified two fresh divisions in this part of the front. We have captured 700 prisoners since yesterday.

"In the Champagne, after an intense artillery struggle, a violent fight began towards evening in the region of Mont Cornillet. "We advanced on the east and northern slopes of Mont Blond. The enemy attacked with two fresh divisions, which were repulsed." ADVANCE IN THE CHAMPAGNE. LONDON, May 4: A French communique says:— "Artillery has been active in tho region north of Rheims. "We made further progress in the woods west of Mont Cornillet and stopped enemy attacks west of Mort Homme, in the region of Verdun. "Five enemy aeroplanes were brought down." THE BRITISH OFFENSIVE. WELL AHIEAD OF SCHEDULE. (Australian and K.Z. Cable Association.) WASHINGTON, May 4. Mr Balfour lias received .a cablegram from London, . which states that Sir Douglas Haig's offensive is "well ahead of schedule." AUSTRALIANS AT BULLECOURT. FURIOUS ENEMY RESISTANCE. LONDON, May 4. The "Morning Post's" correspondent states that the Australians aro fighting grimly around Builecourt. The Australians and Canadians successfully attacked the flanks at Builecourt and Fresnoy, while tho Anglo-Scottish-Irish battalions were aligned between. The e.nemy's resistance at Buliocourt furious, Jind assisted tho Hindenburg line defences.

HARDEST FIGHTING OF THE WAR

I A HSAND-TO-HAXD STRUGGLE. I (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) j LONDON, May 4. Correspondents at Headquarters state that during the whole war they liavo jiocn no harder fighting than nat which is occurring north and south of the j Scarpe. The Germans aro fighting as they ; havo never fought beforo. Despite the i most violent counter-attacks on their part, and a ding-dong _ hand-to-hand ! struggle, the situation is' unchanged. The Germans are using their artillery I vastly more than formerly. I ———==s==! I I —

AT CLOSE GRIPS. ARTILLERY TEMPORARILY HELPLESS. LONDON, May 4. Tlio war <orrospondentg dwell on tho extremely bitter nature of tho fighting in ilio new battle. Tho armies are at i:loso grips along tho whole front, and it is difficult thus far to view tho struggle in perspective. Vivid incidents indicate the deadly character of the fighting at the mill near Oppy, which changed hands four times before noon, when it was practically isolated. "While the struggle lasted the artillery on both sides looked on as helpless observers, as they dared not trust to the signals. I.leanwhilo the combatants were so mixed up that the British overran or were sandwiched afnong the enemy. TUB GERMAN VEHSION. HEAVY BRITISH LOSSES CLAIMED. Admiralty per "Wiroieos Prose. BERNE, May 1. V German official communique says: "A fresh English attempt to break through between Achievello and Q(leant with sixteen or seventeen divisions failed, repeated attacks from dawn until night breaking down. The enemy onlv succeeded in entering Frosnoy, and small portions of our trenches near Bullecourt remained m tho enemy's hands. AN e inflicted heavy losses and took 1000 prisoners. The enemy had assembled a strong cavalry force southward of Arras. The battlo'continues." ALLIED ATTACKS REPULSED. (Australian and X.Z. Cable Association.) (Router's Telograniß.) (Received Mav 6tli. 0.0 p.m.) LONDON. May 5. A wireless German official message states: — "British attacks on both 6ides of BuDeoourc, and strong French attacks between Berry-au-Bac and Bremont, were repulsed. 1 ' 1235 PRISONERS CLAIMED. (Received May Gth. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. May 5. A wireless German official message states "The English attack on both sides of Bullecourt was repulsed, and the number of English prisoners was increased to 1235. "Excessive artillery activity on tho Aisno front continues. "The fighting for possession of Winterburg has not concluded. "Attacks by four French divisions between tho Aisne and Brimont broke down. "Tho French temporarily penetrated eastward of Nouvillo, but were driven out. Wo took 500 prisoners. "Several French divisions unsuccessfully attempted to 'take the heights northward of Prosnes." FRENCH ATTACKS BREAK DOWN. BERNE, May 4. A Gorman official communique says: "Several French attacks broke down near Braye and Winterburg. The enemy lost ten aeroplanes. "The- Russians unsuccessfully attacked us northward of tho Susita Valley." BOMBARDMENT OF RHEIMS. MANY BUILDINGS DESTROYED. (Australian and U.Z. Cable Association.) Admiralty per Wireless Press. (Received May 6th, 11.5 p.m.)

PARIS, May 5. During the bombardment of Rheinis, the Town Hall caught fire. Fifty buildings in the vicinity were destroyed.

THE ENEMY LOSSES TWENTY DIVISIONS BROKEN. BOYS OF NINETEEN FIGHTING. (Australian and K.Z. Cable Association.) (Received May 6th, 11.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 5. It is estimated that tho Germans, since April Ist, brought 33 divisions against tho British and French. 15 of which wero shattered and withdrawn after the battle of Arras, and at least 20 divisions wero broken. Allowing for tho reduction, in the strength of tho enemy divisions sinco the autumn, this now means 150,000 men, of which number 20,000 havo been taken prisoner.

The casualties behind the front line must be tremendous owing to the weight of our artillery.

Another notablo fact is the number of youths captured. Half the prisoners from two divisions were youths of about nineteen. Their statements show that half the enemy troops of the 1898 class aro already serving at tho front. Tho Germans appear no longer to employ tho Guards as soUd divisions, but use regiments of them to stiffen the other divisions. Apparently the Germans, despite their lavish use of troops against i<he British, are employing every expedient to make the most of their available man power. On the other hand, tho German artillery is greatly increasing. The British artillery is as tremendous as before, but we aro more economical in tho use of men. AIR ACTIVITY. ENEMY AVIATION CENTRE. (Australian and X.Z. Cablo Association.) (Rente r'a Telegrams.) (Received May 6th, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 5. A Belgium communique states: — "Allied aviators bombarded a German aviation centre at Chistolles. AUSTRALIAN DASH. AGAINST PICKED GERMAN' TROOPS. : SUCCESSES -AT BULLEOOURT. J (United Servioe.) (Received May Gib, 11.5 p.m.) LONDON, May u. ] Correspondents at the front pay a| tributo to the Australians' dashing work a-t Bullecourt against picked German troops. Though they do not yet possess the whole village, they hold tho ground north and south of it, and also trenches itii tho Hindenburg line front. They repulsed nine counter-attacks by fresh troops, and captured German officers, who admit appalling losses, in some instances as much as iifty per cent.

BRITISH FRONT QUIET. (Australian and SJ.Z. Cablo Association.) (Reuter'a Tologwmis.) (Received May 6th., 11.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 6Sir Douglas Haig states: — "There is nothing special to report. "Ten German aoroplanes were brought down yesterday." DIGGING IN. GERMANS MAKING STRONG -NxA. LINE. (United Serrice.) (Received May 6th, 11.5 p.m.) LONDON, May V Mr Beach Thomas says:— "There has been open fighting on the whole bat.tlefront. "Tho British are rapidly regaining this forgotten form of warfare, but find it difficult to shako off trench habits, numbers still preferring bombs to rifles. "The Germans, while desperately fighting: with storming troops, use special machine-guns and automatic, rifle?. Units at the same timo aro digging hard over the whole breadth of a strong line four or five miles behind the present fighting line. - ' ENEMY COUNTER-ATTACKS. HEAVY LOSSES SUSTAINED. The High Commissioner reports:— LONDON. May 4 (2.10 p.m.). Sir Donglxus llaig reports as follows :— "Fresnoy villago and the positions captured northwards and southwards of it. were subjected to sevoro counterattacks yesterday evening. All the positions were maintained and the enemy repulsed. "At Bullecourt and eastwards the enemy heavily counter-attacked at night-timo a sector of tho Hmdenbnrg line captured by us in the morning. Tho attempt failed completely and the oneniv lost heavily. "At Cherisv and astride the ArrasCambrai road at night-timo wo were compelled to f\Jl back from tho advanced positions captured by us during tho day. "North-west of St. Quentin ire hav* mode further progress, and also northeastwards of Hagricourt, whero wo captured Malakoff Farm." BIG FRENCH SUCCESS. IMPORTANT PLATEAU CAPTURED 5000 MORE PRISONERS TAKEN. \ (Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association.) (Router's Tolograma.) (Received May 6th, 11.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 6. " A French communique states:— "We were brilliantly successful north* east of Soissons and Chcmin-des-Dames, despite the desperatioii of tlio Germans, who recklessly employed great contingents. "Wo attacked a salient in tho Hindenburg lino, south-east of Vauxaillon, and carried a position on a front of six kilometres, inflicting exceptional losses. Many counter-attacks were shattered.

"German columns, marching in tho direction of Choarnszy and Chamonillo, were caught and shattered by our heavy batteries.

"Wo captured tlio whole plateau ill the region of Chemin-des-Dames froro cast of Corny to tho oast of Craonno. Wo reached tho ridges dominating the valley of the Arretto and tho forest of Vaaclerp. "Wo hare already counted 4000 prisoners in addition to tho 1000 captured yesterday." NEW BATTLE IN PROGRESS. (Received May 6th, 11.5 p.m.) • LONDON, May 6. A German evening official message states:— "A new battle is in progress on tho heights north of the Aisne."