FRENCH ATTACK AT LOCRE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 117, 22 May 1918, Page 5

FRENCH ATTACK AT LOCRE

400 PBISONERS TAKEN.

(Australian and N.Z- Cable Association and Reuter.J

LONDON, May 20.

Sir Douglas Eaig reports : French carried oiri a successfui *W§ht operation east and north.-ec.oL o f Locre, gaining all their objectiT t a on a front of 4000 yards, taking over 405 prisoners. Local fighting this morals ward of Albert resulted in a few of ©ur mep. being reported" missing. «We rushed a German post ea&bwaru* of fleblene, taking prisoners and '*«*> machine guns. There is hostile gas shelling nortoward of Bethune. Sir Douglas Eaig reports: —

We bombed on the 19th iiiso. <-. c iny railway stations, aerodromes, dxnny* and billets, dropping over 17 tons c>* bombs;

Severe air fighting occurred eastward of £se line, where large hostile formations attacked our bombers. We brought down 27 and drove down three enemy machines. Twelve of ours are missing. There was vigorous mutual niglit bombing. Our night flier dropped 15 tons of bombs at Ghaulnes, Douai, Don and Marcoing railway stations and St. Denis Westrem aerodrome.

A French, communique states :

There is lively artillery action in the region of Hangard and south of the Avre. Detachments penetrated to the enetnys* third trench north-west of Rheims in the direction oi DertvacoMrt, and caused much destruction. There are artillery actions, occasionally violent, south of the Avre and at some points in the region of Montdidier and Lassigny. GERMAN COMMUNIQUE. 'Australian and N.Z. Gable Association and Renter. J (Admiralty per Wireless Press.) LONDON, May 20. A Germa n official report says:—The British entered Ville sur-Ancre, but failed to ..advance further along the Anere valley. Attacks against Morlanconrt broke down with sanguinary losses. — : -. TRIBUTE TO BRITISH LABOUR BATTALION. (Australian and N.Z. CaWa Association and Renter.) LONDON, May 20. Sir Douglas Haig has issued a special - order paying a tribute to the de- ! votion, endurance, and gallantry of the/ labour units under most, trying circumstances. Since the beginning of the present battle their discipline and spirit have enabled them to render.most -valuable assistance xo th e rest of the umv.

HEAVY GERMAN BOSSES AT e VILLE-SUR-ANURE. (Renter's. Telegrams.) LONDON, May 20. Renter's Headquarters correspondent writes: The Australian captures at Villesnr-Ancre exceeded 400, and the casualties inflicted, were very heavy. The Germans were forced, back from an awkward little -salient they had created, and are now probably back upon the railway. Over 30 machine guns were taken between Ribemont and Dernacourt. The heavy fighting mentioned in previous despatches related to a French attack on a front of .three to four thousand ■ yards, apparently pivoting on Locre Hospice, and extending eastwards. It is reported that the operation succeeded, over 300 prisoners being jcpllected. Every yard of ground the Allies take in this locality .represents an important gain, inasmuchjfas it pushes the enemy from the chain of hills running west from Mont Kemmel. BRITISH ATR SUPREMACY. (Australian and N.Z.' Cable Association.) TRec. v 22' 9 - 35 a - m -) NEW YORK, May 21. The British Mission announced that British" aviators control the air in their section o£ the West front. Practically all the combats are over the German lines.