STUBBORN BRITISH DEFENCE.

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

STUBBORN BRITISH DEFENCE.

FIERCE BATTLES RESUMED. POSITION AT BAILLEUL. Reuter’s Telegrams. LONDON, Aor.j 16. Reuter’s British Headquarters correspondent says: Last evenng the Germans attacked heavily at various points on the northern battle ground and gained some ground. Their most important advance is the occupation of Bailleul. Following on the recent occupation of Ne_uve_ Eglise thev maintained a steadily increasing" pressure along the front, practically all jibe way between Neuve Eglise and Meteren. Towards evening, under the cover of a tremendous bombardment, the infantry advanced in. the usual dense waves. ' Our troops fought stubbornly, but the overwhelming number of the enemy forced them to yield ground. Desperate fighting continued all night. Our artillery shelled the enemy continuously. It is certain I his attempt to advance towards the ridge system will be strenuously contested. His gain hitherto has all been on the dead level of Flanders, and although it is futile to pretend that his success is not a. matter to much concern, yet it has hi ought the smallest tactical advance propoitionate to its extent. Bailleul stands astride of what was an important artery in communication with places .now occupied by i^e There B 'has been considerable hostile infantry movement all day along the La Bassee-Estaires road. Our aeroplanes incessantly:,-skimmed over the columns inflicting heavy casualties. South of the Somme enemy artillery was slightlv more atcive. U is reported that the enemy infant! y are concentrating south of Bois de Hangard.