CRISIS IN FLANDERS

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 4847, 19 April 1918, Page 5

CRISIS IN FLANDERS

FIERCE BATTLE STILL RAGING

BELGIANS’ SIV3ART ATTACK.

/ ' ATTAOK. e ° Jli m WYTSCHAETE AND METERIN WON AND LOST AGAIN

EftSEfVSY’S DREADFUL CASUALTIES STILL COUNTING UP.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association Ti n i LONDON, April 17. -‘-he .British have recaptured Metbut have withdrawn in front of iSt. Eloi and at certain positions around Ypres. The Germans have reached the slopes of Mount Kemmel. The British have recaptured Wytschaete, and are now advanciug towards Neuve Eglise and Bailleui. Semi-official:—The enemy pa a for his success between Bailleui and Neuve Eglise with fearful hecatombs of dead. Whole battalions were thrown in in an unexampled manner with disregard of life,Undoubtedly the Germans will continue the battle with fresli reinforcements and will make fresn sacrifices. His objective is clear, namely, to turn the range of heights rising 150 metres above the plain ,’.i the triangle framed by Yassel and Bailleui. His operation demands •; little time, and the Franco-Pritish forces may stop it. Advices received in America state that in accordance with an agreement with Socialists and Radicals the military leaders of Germany a.e prepared to suffer a million and a half casualties in the big, offensive.

LURE OF HAZEBROUCK. GERMANS MAKE LITTLE HEADWAY. LEANING STATUE AT ALBERTPALLS. Australian and N.Z, Cable Association LONDON, April 17. 4 15 p.m, The United Press correspondent states: —Sixte, von Argifi and von Quast are continuing their efforts to hammer a way into Hazebrouck. They have suffered heavy casualties and made little headway. A large area of the battlefield near Bailleui is constantly pounded by high velocity gas shells, the deadly vapours drifting across the cultivated fields.

Bernhardi’s divisions, near Bromoutre, attacked heavily at 3 o’clock on Tuesday afternoon, the British guns tearing great rents in their ranks. Von Stetin’s forces throughout the afternoon continued the attack around Meteren and Merris, the British guns pounding into them with monotonus regularity, relieved only by occasional bursts, of drumfire, when particularly thick masses exposed themselves in open costly attack. The enemy were driven back by the evening. The fields Were thick with dead.

BRITISH GIVE BLOW FOR 1 BLOW. ENORMOUS ENEMY LOSSES. WHOLE PARTIES DESTROYED. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association Reuter's Telegrams. LONDON, April 17, 2.25 p.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports: —We successfully- counter-attacked last evening in the neighborhood of Wytsehaete. Our counter-attack also restored the situation at Metereu, whicu we retain. We repulsed with loss repeated attacks northward of Bailleui. Our fire at close range caught bodies of the enemy infantry advancing in close formation, inflicting heavy losses. The enemy endeavoured ! o develop an attack at midday yesterday eastward of Robecq. but our artilleiv broke up the advance. In consequence of the enemy’s progress o" the Lys-front, oui troops in forward positions eastward of Ypres withdrew to a new line- The withdrawal was carried out deliberately, undisturbed by the enemy. German parties crossing our old positions were caught and destroyed by fire from our outposts. We drove out parties who entered the trenches opposite Boyelles where our line was completely restore 1 There was considerably increased hostile artillery fighting this morning on the British line south war 1 of the Somme.

In the Zellebeke sector, to which the fighting lias spread, Zudolma’s storm troops tried to advance towards Ypres, and were most hotly shot down at close range. Their centre was literally pounded to piecefS”. The enemy was ordered to retire and both of the flanks caught the full force of the British artillery and machine guns, dwindling as they scrambled back in disorder. Reports from the Somme battlefront show there is a general tuningup. The areas eastward of Amiens are occasionally heavily shelled. German shells on Tuesday destroyed the Albert church tower, with the famous leaning statue of the Virgin Mary.

THE GERMAN FLEET.

RALLY IN CONTEMPLATION

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association

LONDON, April 17

/The Daily Chronicle reports that there' are indications that a rally by the German fleet is in contemplation. There is more in the German mining operations than meets the eye, as the Cattegat could be a line of retreat- if the fleet leaves the Bight of Heligoland. The military party now determines the action of* the fleet, .which is regarded as the Array’s right wing. , Two battleships, two battle cruisers, many light cruisers, destroyers and submarines have been added to the German navy since Jutland.

RAGING OF THE GUNS.

THE ARMY’S CRHICS.

ENEMY ASSAULTS SMASHED

WHERE ARE THE RESERVES?

“MOWN DOWN LIKE HAY.”

SOME PERTINENT QUESTIONS

Australian ancNv&Z. Cable Association LONDON, Apr l 17. Reuter’s correspondent at Headquarters, telegraphing on 17th states: —During my whole experience of the war I have never heard such a terrific, unintermittent gunfire as since yesterday afternoon. It is still proceeding and the battle :s raging with incredible intensity. Among the many attacks yesterday one of the greatest was m the Ziilebeek se&tor. The enemy s massed waves were mown down like hay and they were ordered to retire, whereupon our gunners got them on the flank with open sights. The slaughter was appalling. Reviewing the situation, the correspondent states: —Satisfaction isdeducible from the reflection that this was not the original German plan. His objective last ween was Betliune. He vis held there Ho then tried Hazebrouck and ivai stopped there also. He is now trying his strength northward, but the previous two failures, also the faduro ofthe Armiens thrust, justify Ce hope that he mav he stopped again A disquieting feature is the evidence that the enemv is still bringing up fresh divisions from Russia, enabling him to increase the weight of his pressure. . „ ~ The Times declares that Gel many can draw reserves from fcUssia for months.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association

LONDON, April 17. * Colonel Renington declares that Mr Lloyd-George’s statement that there were only three white divisions in Palestine and Egypt when the German offensive began is untrue. Colonel Repington asserts that we were feeding a million and a quarter mouths in the Eastern theatres on March 21, costing an unconceivable price in lives, ships, mone} 7 and re~ sources. * , . The Daily News’ Parliamentary correspondent says: There is a feeling among Moderate Liberals that something has gone wrong at the front. There is a mystery as regards the use of the reserves. -ie Liberals demand closer touch between the Commons and the Cabinet, and insist on an explanation ot the conflicting Ministerial statements.

THE GERMAN MSLI-

TARSSTS.

-BOLD BID FOR VICTORY

AMERICA TAKES UP THE G'HAL-

LENGE

The Times. (Received April 18. 8.10 p.m.) WASHINGTON, April 17. Information from Germany shows that Hindenburg is willing to suffer one and a half million casualties m his attempt to achieve victory. The Socialists and Militarist leaders previously reached an agreement that no political complaints will be made until that'total is exceeded. Militarism has now been warned that the price may be more cosily. V hateveu the truth may be in the allegations, Americans are preparing tor a long war and are making sacrifices and preparations undreamed ot a tew months hack)

STEMMING THE TIDE.

THE BATTLES ON THE SOMME

ANZACS’ GREAT PART.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association LONDON, April 17. Australian and New Zealand wounded agree that they have nob experienced harder fighting. . . Though few have yet arrived m England out of the recent battles, there are some who helped to stop the first rush on the Somme, they describe the suddenness of orders to proceed from .the Messmes The first stage was taken m mo m lorries; the next was a seemingly interminable march with the momentasL- SSlian SSu* are »«<* lighter than at first anticipated- A sudden inrush of wounded at Abbe villc hospital induced apprehension that the losses were heavy. The earliest Australians n xnc hours in the*train and a 12 mi es night march but two dmsicmb are singled out for special praise and brilliant work in stopping von Hofa Cl An S ASralfan brigade. which fashat a critical moment.

ENEMY CLAIMS.

GERMAN COMMUNIQUE.

Admiralty—Per Wireless Press

(Received! April IS, 9.10 p.mo LONDON, April 17

A German official report says:— We captured Poelcapelle andLanoemarck and occupied Passchenclaele. ° Our advanced lines near Becelaero and Cheluvelt stormed the village or Wytschaete and drove the enemy from the heights north-eastward and westwards, repulsing strong counterattacks. The enemy while retreating south-west of Wulverghem was nressed back across the Douve.. 1 We captured Bailleul and Meteren and l a ' stubbor.nly-idefended support point at Cappolyonde, northwards of Bailleul. / Strorfg English forces, supported by French forces, vainly endeavored to recapture Meteren and territory on both sides of Merris. Their attacks broke down with the hoaviest losses.

600 GERMANS CAPTURED. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association • ) and Reuter's. (Received April 18, 11.15 p.m.l LONDON, April 17,>. A Belgian communique says:— The Germans in force attacked and obtained a footing in our outpost system between Blackaertpond and the railway from Ypres to Thor.out. Our counter-attacks completely drove the enemy out and we took 600 prisoners.

THE COUNTER BLOW. FRENCH AND AUSTRALIANS EMPLOYED. United Services. (Received April 18. 8.10 pun.) , LONDON. April 17.--Frencli and Australian troops partook in to-day’s counter-attacks.

LESSON OF WATERLOO.

AN INTERESTING ANALOGY

“HIGH AUTHORITY’S” HOPEFUL MESSAGE.

“WHEN BLUOHER ARRIVES.”

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association (Received April 18, 8 p.m.) LONDON, April 17. , “High Military Authority,” after spending the last four days at the battle front, says : * Up to midday on Tuesday the situation ( was undoubtedlv very ous. ’The Germans attacked "with four fresh divisions on either side of Bailleui, and if they could have maintained the pressure there would have been great danger to the vital range of heights beginning in the east with Kemmel and ending in the west with Cassel. That ridge was the backbone of our defence on the northern battlefield. The news last night and to-day is decidedly better. We counter-at-tacked on a widish front and drove out the Germans from Meteren and advanced in the direction of Neuve Eglise without much opposition. While we coiild not say Wytschaete was entirely in our hands, we secured a portion and probably the, village lias now been wholly re-taken. Referring to the withdrawal on the Ypres front, he says preparations for shortening the front were made some time ago in complete detail in the event of emergency, and the decision to carry it out was made on Sunday before Bailleui was captured. The withdrawal was completed on Monday night, and the act, though regrettable, was necessary. Our army is undergoing a severe strain, and, has had critical moments and is still decidedly anxious, but we must remember that we have lumped for a united front and placed our forces under a supreme control, which was a wise and proper decision. We must accept the consequences. We must not look at the battle from the viewpoint of our own losses and sufferings, but from the Entente’s viewpoint. We are fiofiting a Waterloo while Bluclier is marching to the battlefield. If we multiply things a hundredfold, the situation is not dissimilar than from our position to-day. We are standing the hammering, and, providing Blucher is s marching, there is no cause for despair; quite the contrary. Eli the whole offensive, the Germans have employed 126 divisions, of which the, British alone engaged 1 9 and the French 24, while 23 were eno-ao-ed bv the combined AngloFrench. Of the divisions engaged by the British alone, we have tought 28 of them twice and one thrice. It is an unpleasant business standing a hammering, but we must take a broad view. Although you may want to know what has become of Bluclier, we hare practically taken the strain off the French army, which is larger than ours, but again I would say there is no reason foi despair.

ENEMY LOSSES MOUNTING

EVACUATION OF PASSCHENDAELE.

A VOLUNTARY RETIREMENT,

The Times. (Received April 19. 1.15 a.in-) LONDON. April IS

Mr Perry Robinson writes : Hard and incessant fighting continues in the area ot Meteren and Wytschaete and both have changed hands more than once, butthe Germans retain their hold on Wytschaete Wood and Spanbrookmolen. At the present moment, no man can say where are our positions and where arc the enemy’s. We have fallen hack in the Passchendaele area, giving the enemy most of the ground lost in last summer’s Flanders fight, including Passcliendaele Tticlge, which the Australians and others captured in 1917 A strong enemy advance towards Mount Kemmel and Mont des Neath threatened the whole system _ f communications of the Ypres salient and a new German drive with fresh divisions might have enabled the enemy to secure points from which he would lie able to place a continuous barrage across the roads. We knew the retirement was in progress, but it was obviously indiscreet to report it. We made it without enemy pressure. An outpost line was left and checked the Germans as they felt their way forward' in the morning. It- is unpleasant to give up ground won at the cost of gallant 1" gs, lint it cannot he too often reneated that local typographical gains are of little significance in the gigantic struggle now progressing. The Germans have blasted shelilioles in the .area behind them over which to bring up troops and transport and we know from abundant experience of former advances what it means. „ , „ In this most frightful of all battles, in which perpetual drumfire shakes the air and makes speaking impossible the tally of slaughter mounts hourly and there are GeDnan corpses in piles and heaps over wide areas of the battlefield. . . There are countless episodes or British -.heroism against- overpowering odds. English and ScrgDjy troops, including the Scottish Rifles and Highland Light Infantry held the line south of Meteren and west of Bailleui and St Razelle from Al>r 1 12 till yesterday, all sorts of laneons units assisting in the filing line ancl doggedly holding tl e ei Th<f whole Meteren area is covered with Gei-man corpses. ■ Captured documents and state that the present atta k substituted because the drive ™th< Aire and Betlnme was a tai P ®’ It commenced north of Armentmi es with small forces, hut its initial success caused its conversion to ™ operation and strength was diverted from otheK parts of- the lme ma attempt to hammer through. e failure of the mam attack cost tin, Germans dearly, some battalions >oin°r 50 per -cent-. , ~ During the last two day« t. e enemy lias made ’ : >-ieffectual a.ta on Locon and La Bnssee. *

HAIG’S LATEST REPORT.

THE COUNTER-ATTACKERS

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter’s. (tleceived April 18, 10.10 P-m.) LONDON, April 18 (12.5 a.m.) Sir Douglas Haig reports;An • intense hostile bombardment, this morning on the whole of the Lys battlefront was followed by attacks trom Nieppe forest to Wytschaete. All were repulsed, and,; we inflicted considerable losses. t • Our counter-attackers reported this morning that they had succeeded in entering the villages of Meteren and Wytschaete, but were unable to maintain possession in the face or continued attacks.

The French are mow co-operating on this front.

THE FRENCH FRONT, FURIOUS ENEMY BOMBARDMENT. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter’s. (Reeeivedi April 19, 12.50 a.m.) LONDON. April 18. A French communique says:— There was no infantry action today. The enemy furiously bombarded our first lines and sojne villages north of Montdidier. Out- batteries effectively countered.

BAD DAY FOR THE ENEMY.

LOSSES PILING UP,

BRITISH CAPTURE PRISONERS

Keuter’s Telegrams. (Received April 19, 9.10 p.m., ■ LONDON, April 18. Reuter’s British Headquarters’ correspondent, writing -on the evening of the 17th says the opinion is general among the troops that the past 24 hours has been anything .but good for the enemy, despite his successes at Bailleui, Ravelsberg and Messines Ridge. The last-named success has* been largely neutralised because of the price he paid. Our withdrawal east of Ypres was accomplished with masterly skill," the net result of which has been a greatly stiffened power of resistance, while forcing the enemy— to lengthen his communications across an unfavourable terraine. The bitter intensity of the fighting which has been in progress since yestei’day morning lulled during the forenoon and the hurricane artillery duel subsided into spasmodic outbursts with intervals of comparative AVe have taken a good number of prisoners during the last two days. There are signs of another attack coming between' Bailleui and Wytschaete. , , . , Doubtless the enemy js determined after the heavy sacrifices he made to net Wytschaete, to make another onslaught and again remove us therefrom. . , ' . , Yesterday and last nignt theie was a sharp conflict at Boyelles, south of Arras, hut it was quiet today and our positions are being fully shelling of Vlelars and Brctonreux led to expectations of an infantry attack, hut it has not ye materialised. _____