MESSINES RIDGE ATTACKED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16822, 12 April 1918, Page 5

MESSINES RIDGE ATTACKED

BRITISH REGAIN GIVENCHY ORIGINAL THRUST CHECKED FRENCH MAINTAIN POSITIONS Reports from Sir Douglas Haig state that there has been further heavy fighting on the front between La Bassee and Armenitieres. The village of Givenchy was retaken by the fifty-fifth division, with the capture of 750 prisoners. Activity has developed as far north as the Ypres-Comlnes Canal. The British were pressed back to the line Wytschaete to Messines Ridge to Ploegsteert. The Germans obtained a footing in Messines, but were afterwards driven out. Further south they are being held on the line of the Rivers Lys and Lawe. A British military authority says that the enemy advance between La Bassee and Armentieres, while embracing ground of little tactical value, creates an awkward salient. The maximum advance was 5500 yards on a front of 15,000 yards. The Armentieres salient was made more awkward by a further advance to the north, including a considerable portion of Ploegsteert Wood. The brunt of the thrust north/ of La Bassee fell on the Portuguese, who lost some artillery and a considerable number of prisoners. The French have been heavily engaged in the region of the River Avre. The village of Hangard-en-Santerre, four miles north of Moreuil, was the scene of a bitter struggle, changing hands several times, and finally remaining in the possession of the French. An enemy attack on the wood west of Castel, in the same sector, was repulsed.