CLOSE STRUGGLE AMONG RUINS OF RESUMES.

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

CLOSE STRUGGLE AMONG RUINS OF RESUMES.

m BACK AREAS INUNDATED WITH MUSTARD GAS SHELLS v-V Anitraiiin and N.Z. Cable Association LONDON, April 12. ||p* Mr. Percival Phillips writes:—While Ploegsteert was full of HI contending infantry the Germans rushed up the Messines slope against ggc*- destructive fire, gaining a foothold in the ruins of the village upon the Ws crfiEt. Our fire swept the ridge, and we gained the ruins at nightH>' : fall. Fresh Germans rushing up from-Warneton sought to make good %m the first gains, many being caught in their own barrage. They rushed IP i Messines after nightfall, and hand-to-hand fighting among the ruins h»" ended in our favour. The Germans attacked at Wytchaetc with even 'greater frenzy, the assault resulting in a furious battle all night long Hfor this higher ground. To-day Germans again had a lodging in the |fk cellars at Messines, but remained further down the slope on the i|;; ; Wytschaete Ridge, failing to gain the coveted view over the western 11 plain. The enemy in the afternoon held half of Ploegsteert Wood. Wm, While attacking on Tuesday east of Bethune the enemy artillery £■ drenched the town with mustard gas, shells falling among helpless sleeping women and children. Our ambulances made the rounds, Bft gathering the victims to the casualty station through a heavy bom'bardment. If any stimulus were needed to spur our men on it was ill the sight of these poor people, victims of the new terror. . Mr. Philip Gibbs states:—The British holding Armentieres drew tjltback north, leaving a dangerous gap on the left of the NorthumberEflSia'od Fusiliers and Royal Scots, but the gap wes filled, the thin line le'iir supported by trench mortar companies and cycle corps. The battle spread northwards in the afternoon, fierce fighting following around White Chateau and Hollebeke, the enemy's chief objective being the Wytschaete-Mes'sines Ridge. The sufferings of, non-combatants stricken by the enemy's ruthless bods are ; beyond description. The enemy flung hundreds of gas shells into Bethune, which was crowded with civilians. Many women in our hospitals suffering from gas poisoning, while y the harassing fire of shrapnel and highI and children are in our hospitals suffering from gas poisoning, while many others were wounded by the harassing fire of shrapnel and highVelocity shells flung on remote hamlets,