UNITED PRESS REPORT.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 April 1918, Page 2

UNITED PRESS REPORT.

GERMANS DIGGING IN. • fAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATE'S & REUTER.] LONDON, A.pril 4. The United Press correspondent states that the fighting lias simmered down until it is now a. reminescent of the ordinary trench warfare before tho offensive. The local clashes are more like raids than battles. Sharp attacks and counter-attacks for possession of hi»h grounds are almost all that is happening at present. There is an overcast sky with low clouds, which hampers, without altogether stopping, flying. The Germans are still digging in along the British front, while they are bringing up fighting material, and this is no easy job, as ■ the British guns keep up a hnrrassing Are. The roads across the \>ld Somme battlefield, which is a desert' are. strewn with carcases of horses, wrecked truck and other transport material. The American Air Forces are with the British, Australians, and Canadians, and have done splendidly. The British highly praise the American squadrons ""and the air mechanics, who were working day and night dming the great battle.

HEAVY ENEMY ATTACK. GERMANS GAIN GROUND. LONDON, April 4. The Press Bureau states that the position north of the Somme is unchanged. The enemy south of the Somme launched heavy attacks early this morning against the Anglo-French. Progress was made by the' enemy on the British front in the direction of Hamel and Vaire Wood. The British heat back the attacks elsewhere with considerable loss.

The ’fighting in the British sector continues. The enemy has also gained ground against the French, on the immediate right of the British, in an angle between the Luce and the Avro, westward of Roye.