SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S REPORT

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 98, 25 April 1917, Page 7

SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S REPORT

FREQUENT A^ND VIOLENT COUNTER-ATTACKS

(AUSTRALIAN-NEW ZEAtAND CABLE ASSOCIATION AND REUTER.)

LONDON., 23rd April Sir Douglas Haig reports : There has been heavy, and continuous fighting all day on both banks of the Scarpe. Important positions have been gained. A marked feature of the operations has been the frequency and violence of the German counter-attacks, in which there were very heavy enemy losses. We captured Gavrelle village, and two and a-half miles of defences to tfye south of the village, as far as the Roeux Cemetery. We fought our way forward on v the right bank of the Scarpe on a wide'front south-east of Monchy-le-Preux, and captured Guemappe. We took prisoner considerably over one thousand men, and also made progress south-west of Lens. ,

There was great aerial activity on Sunday. Fifteen German machines, and also four kite balloons, were brought down. Four British machines are missing. - . .

GROUND GAINED IN THE SOUTH

«Ihe High Commissioner reports:—

LONDON, 24th April, 2.30 p.m.A British official message states : South of the Bapaume-Cambrai' road, we gained ground during the night on a wide front eastward of Epehy, and reach"--cd the St. Quentin Canal in the neighbourhood of Vendhuile. Northwards of Epehy, we captured Villers-Plouich and Beaucamp, and also took prisoners, There was severe fighting yesterday evening and at night on the front from Croisilles to northwards of Gavrelle. The enemy determinedly but unsuccessfully counter-attacked, regardless of losses. The positions gained yesterday were maintained. We progressed eastwards of Monchy-le-Preux and Boeux. . "'>

Over fifteen hundred prisoners were taken yesterday. IA particularly yioi Jent counter-attack this morning at Gavrelle was beaten &ff.

"THE BRITISH ASSAULT BROKE DOWN"

> \ LONDON, 23rd April. Admiralty, per Wireless Press.—A German official report states : Th« n#w lEngUsk assault at. Airas iioke.jdo.wa witkieayx mmyjosm!