FIERCE GERMAN ATTACKS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16824, 15 April 1918, Page 5

FIERCE GERMAN ATTACKS

| BRITISH HOLDING WELL FOGH WAITING OPPORTUNITY FRENCH RESERVES ON THE WAY m ■ — ■ m A message from London, despatched yesterday, states that the latest reports from the Flanders front are more favourable. The offensive has lulled somewhat, and the British line is holding well. The British General Staff believes that the German thrusts cannot last beyond the fifth day. If the enemy is held, he is beaten. The latest report from Sir Douglas Haig shows that during Friday night and Saturday, the eswjny continued his attacks, especially against the northern side of the salient, but without gaining any material result. Over 110 German divisions have been en- = gaged since March 21, and of them over 40 have been thrown into the battle two or three times. With the clearing of the weather, the air service has resumed its activity. There was nothing in the reports received last night to suggest that Messines had been captured. One of the British correspond dents, whose report is dated from London on Saturday, refers to the Ninth South Africans as continuing their magnificent .; defence of the village. Sir Douglas Haig has issued a special order to the forces in France, paying a tribute of admiration to the courage and self-sacrifice of the men opposing the advance. He says that victory will be with those holding out longest. The French are hurrying up supports in large numbers. There must bo s no more retirement. With their backs to the wall the British must be prepared to fight to the last. . The enemy made a violent attack on the French line in the region of. Hangard-en-Santerre, four miles south o! the T*"*'* , "Ssmme.'- By'constantly throwing in fresh troops he gained a footing in the village. Later the French counter-attacked, regaining command of the entire village and also the ceme. . " tery. The Germans continued to, bombard Rhelms, setting \, fire to a portion of the town. Several attacks were made on the St. Mibiel salient, at the point o! liason between the ; Americans and French. Counter-attacks drove out enemy ''- parties which tad gained a footing in the trenches. .? . For the \ first time tor; many months the Turks have at- ■ tempted an offensive in Palestine. An ; attack on Wednesday on the coast sector resulted in a footing being gained in British advanced positions, but the attackers were afterwards ' ejected, and further ground fell into British hands. A similar attempt on the east bank of the Jordan on Thursday gained :no success, the enemy being pursued in retreat by mounted , ; troops. Another attack north of Jerusalem, on the Nablus •i road, was similarly repulsed. -•..,. /•-,