UNABATED VIOLENCE OF BATTLE NORTH OF ARRAS.

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

UNABATED VIOLENCE OF BATTLE NORTH OF ARRAS.

TERRIFIC GUNFIRE AND MASSED INFANTRY ATTACKS. STURDY RESISTANCE MET IN DIFFICULT GROUND. Reuter. (ReceWtd 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 10. A correspondent at British headquarters reports: The battle which began yesterday north of Arras continues with unabated violence. The artillery duel has extended south to Arras. The enemy is also attacking between Armentieres and Messines. The gunfire is so terrific that the earth trembles as though under an interminable volcanic spasm. The enemy has a tremendous concentration of artillery, and is throwing in his infantry in dense masses. He is plainly making another bid for a clean break through. Although the enemy bent our line to some extent between Armentieres and Bethune, we are putting up a superb fight for every foot of ground. The retirement is most orderly and at heavy cost to the enemy. One of the features of yesterday's fighting was the retaking of valuable ground at Givenchy. The Portuguese suffered severely in the early fighting, but sturdily resisted, and were only pressed back under sheer weight of numbers. The enemy's northern flank is apparently trying to work along the Lys River, but the direction and extent of the southern advance is obscure. The conditions for the attackers are difficult owing to the porousness of the ground. In many places it is impossible to dig in, and they must substitute breastworks. The enemy is not astride any important lines of communications. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, April 10. Mr. Philip Gibbs reports that the front of the enemy's attack is about 11 miles, between Armentieres and the La Bassee Canal. Apparently his attack succeeded in driving in parts of our outpost lines, while we are holding him by Givenchy on the right and Fleubaix on the left. The enemy used poison gas in immense quantities, and it is estimated that he fired at night over 60,000 gas shells. The Portuguese between Laventie and Neuve Chapelle are now in the thick of the battle, fighting gallantly. All the enemy's efforts do not seem to have carried him far through the marshes, his storm troops being held back and shattered. The Bavarians twice took Givenchy and twice were beaten out, and the British hold the village and the high ground.