ARTILLERY WORK DOMINANT FACTOR ON FRENCH LINE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16823, 13 April 1918, Page 7

ARTILLERY WORK DOMINANT FACTOR ON FRENCH LINE.

TWO ATTACKS ON THE NOYON SECTOR FRUSTRATED. DEFENSIVE ACTIVITY OF THE ENEMY AIR SERVICE. Australian and K.Z. and Rcuter. (Rocd. 7.15 p.m.) LONDON. April n-11.10 p.m. A French communique reports: There has been violent artillery duelling at certain points north of Montdidier and in the region of Lassigny. We repulsed two somewhat heavy attacks last night and this morning, on a sector at Noyon. There is an intermittent cannonade on both banks of the Meuse. During March 28 enemy aeroplanes were brought down by our anti-aircraft defences. Ail earlier report stated : Our artillery dispersed a detachment in the region of Orvillers, eight miles south-east of Montdidier, before it reached our lines. Enemy attacks on our advanced posts east of Souain, in the Champagne, and Apremont Forest, five miles east of St Miliiel, failed. Two enemy aeroplanes were brought down by machine-gun fire. Renter. (Received 10.20 p.m.) LONDON. April 12 A correspondent at French headquarters states : Relative quiet is prevailing on the line from Hangard-en-Santerre, four and a-half miles north* of Moreuil, to Noyon. The French carried out a small infantry attack at Grivesncs Chateau, locally improving the position. The guns arc active on. both sides all along the front. The Germans have done little trench digging. The enemy airmen arc more active, but are showing little inclination to take the offensive, chiefly patrolling their own side of the front in powerful groups of a dozen or more machines, with the object of preventing our flights.