A REGRETTABLE LOSS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 4846, 18 April 1918, Page 5

A REGRETTABLE LOSS.

ASSOCIATIONS OF BALLLEUL. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association (Received April 17, 9.45 p.m.) LONDON, April 17. Mr. Philip Gibbs writes :■ — The. enemy’s capture of Bailleul must have cost him heavy Josses. When news came that concentrations of German infantry, guns, transport, and cavalry were moving f . on the roads in and northward of Merville our artillery and airmen rained shells and explosives on them. Our men were stubborn in the defence, and after great resistance our l'ne was withdrawn beyond the town. Thousands of our men will regret the loss of the charming old town for associations’ sake. It was here the ‘ King came once when the old' square was lined with fighting men, including New Zealanders, Australians, and Scots. After taking Bailleul, the enemy this morning developed his gain by pressing westward . and simultaneously delivering separate, fietce attacks against Wytschaete village, which he appears to have taken after after desperate fighting and also Spanbrookmolen. Probably the next attack will be directed against the' hills of Kemmel, Mont Noir and Mont Rouge, which run east west about Bailleul.