HEAVY ENEMY ATTACK AT PASSCHENDAELE BROKEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16796, 12 March 1918, Page 5

HEAVY ENEMY ATTACK AT PASSCHENDAELE BROKEN.

STORM TROOPS EJECTED FROM CAPTURED POST. Renter. LONDON. Mar. 10. A correspon'dent at British headquarters states that yesterday's was the heaviest fighting of the year on the Passchendaele salient. The enemy the whole previous night heavily bombarded the front from Warneton to Langemarck, freely employing gas shells. Troops were employed for a subsequent attack on a mile front south of Houthulst forest. The enemy met such vigorous resistance that his waves of attack broke and retired in most places. On the right flank of the attack, however, flame throwers forced the garrisons in some posts to withdraw to the support. A little later the Yorkshire Light Infantry counter-attacked with great dash. The enemy was very strong, but the fury of the onslaught created a panic, and the enemy broke. Our men pursued them 300 yds from the spot where the enemy attacked, inflicting considerable casualties. The line was completely restored. Heavy artillery . fighting was in progress all day astride the Menin Road, succeeded by an advance of a large body of infantry, covered by an intense barrage. The infantry deployed 3000 yds, and furious fighting ensued in the twilight. The enemy succeeded in establishing a few posts, which our artillery heavily bombarded all night. The weather was ideal.