SEVERE AND CONTINUOUS FIGHTING

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3082, 12 May 1917, Page 9

SEVERE AND CONTINUOUS FIGHTING

PROGRESS IN FACE OF DESPERATE OPPOSITION FRENCH GAINS ON VAUCLERE PLATEAU EXTENDED The High Commissioner reports London, May 9, 2.30 p.m. Sir Douglas Haigreports:—"ln the neighbourhood of Bullecourt yesterday the 'fighting was severe and continuous.- We made progress in spite of repeated costly enemy efforts to shake our hold on his positions. None of these efforts were successful. . During the night our line was advanced eastwards of Cricourt and southwards of the Souchez River, where we captured a portion of the enemy's front and support linos, and took some prisoners. North-east of Llevm and southwards of we drove off hostile raiders. North of Givenchy and La Bassee we carried out successful raids." (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright). (Ree. May 11. 6.50 p.m.), London, May 10. Sir Douglas Haig reports"We advanced our line slightly this morning on the southern bank of the Scarpe. The enemy at noon renewed his attacks on our positions on the Hindenburg lino eastward of Bullecourt, but was completely repulsed. Further counter-attacks at night time ijear Fresnoy were equally unsuccessful. In severe 1 air fighting on Wednesday eleven German machines were brought down. Five of ours ' are missing."—Aus.N.Z. Cable-Assn.-Reuter. THE HEROIC STAND OF THE ANZACS HOLDING OUT AGAINST HEAVY ODDS. London, May 10. Mr. Keith Murdoch, writing from the Anzac Headquarters, says:—"The Germans' failure to throw us out of ii position that theoretically could not he held indicates how thoroughly mauled their reserves are. During a most severe counter-attack, when our flanks were pushed in by strong bombing parties, supported by a fusillade and trench mortars, word reached our men to Retire. They replied, 'Who said retire? We will wait until our officers say retire.' The men stuck out when encirclement certain, the officers and men having agreed to fight their way back together if surrounded. The troops who got - beyond the Hindenburg line suffered most severe losses. One company which was tilt, off during the retirement sold their lives dearly; only seventeen regained the lines. The Germans .mowed down the stretcher-bearers, who bravely tried, under the white flag and by other means, to rescue the wounded. One ambulance lost ,40 per cent, of its stretcherbearers. The infantry has shown great fighting spirit, amongst tho bravest being the carriers, who repeatedly carried great loads of bombs across the open with the finest quiet gallantry. The Australians continue to improve their positions."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ANCIENT CATACOMBS FIND NEW FUNCTION. ■ London, May 10. Mr. Tercival Phillips says that the Hindenburg lino at Bullecourt affords unusual shelter. A great tunnel runs beneath tho line, big enough to allow reinforcements to be moved quickly. There is also a series of catacombs, dating from medieval times, capable of accommodating six battalions of infantry.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. | ON TIIE FRENCH- FRONT London, May 10. A French official communique states:—"The enemy at night attempted infantry reactions at various points at tho Chemin des Dames, all of which broke down. A minor operation enabled us to extend onr gains on the northern slopes of Yauclere Plateau, where wo took prisoners belonging to a fresh division which had recently arrived. The artillery duel continues fairly lively in all these sectors."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Rcuter. (Rec. May 11, 10.55 p.m.) . London, May 11. A French official states: —"There has .been cannonading north-east of Soissons and tho Chemin des Dames. By local operations we carried a system of trenches north of . Sancy. Attempts by tho enemy to oxpel us from the trenchos we captured at Chevreux on May 8 were shattered by our barrage and machine-guns. We made progress north-west of Prosnes." —Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Router. GERMAN REPORT London, May 10. Wireless, per Admiralty Press.—A Gorman official report states: "The artillery fire about Arras continues with increasing violence. Fresnoy remain's ours, in spite of repeated attacks. The fighting for the possession of Bullecourt fluctuates. Between Soissons and Roims wo repulsed By bitter hand-to-hand fighting French attacks at Winterborg, the St. 'Mario Farm, and Cormioy. Enemy advances north-west of Prosnes failed. We have brought down ten enemy aeroplanes."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.