HEAVY FIGHTING NEAR NEUVE EGLISE-MEBSINES ROAD

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

HEAVY FIGHTING NEAR NEUVE EGLISE-MEBSINES ROAD

ENEMY ATTACK NORTHv OF BETHUNE FRUSTRATED. I SLOW PROGRESS MADE. TOWARDS BETHUNE RAILWAY. _______ \ BULK OF NORTHERN LINE BEING FIRMLY HELD. Australian and N.Z. and Reuter. (Rccd. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 13.-2 p.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports Heavy fighting developed last night in the neighbourhood of Neuve Eglise, and Wulverghem, on the Mes-sines-Neuve Egliso road, and is still continuing. Late last night we advanced our lino slightly in the neighbourhood of Festubert, 3i miles north-west of La Bassee. The enemy launched a strong attack, preceded by a heavy bombardment, east of Locon, three miles northwest, of Bethune, and succeeded in entering our lines at certain points, but was driven out by a counter-attack. We beat off a second attack later in the night, and also repulsed an attack east of Merville. The situation on the remainder of the northern battle front is unchanged. Sharp local fighting occurred yesterday south of the Souime, in the neighbourhood of Hangard-en-Santerre, four miles north of Moreuil, British and French counter-attacks regaining the positions into which the enemy penetrated. The enemy's artillery has been more active north of the Somme. Australian and N.Z. and Eeutor. (Reed. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 12.-11.55 p.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports:— enemy maintained strong pressure all day south-west of Bailleul, making constant attacks in great force which are still continuing. We have been slowly pushed back in continous fighting to positions in y the neighbourhood of the Bailleul railway, where we are heavily engaging the enemy. There has been sharp fighting also north of the La Bassee canal. The enemy made slight progress between the Lawe and Clarance Rivers. Elsewhere our positions were maintained. Over 110 German divisions have so far been engaged since March 21, of which over 40 have been thrown into the battle two or three times. When the mist cleared our aeroplanes showed great activity on the whole front, and mado several long-distance reconnaissances, taking photographs. There has been much fighting. We brought down .21 and drove down 14 enemy machines. Four of ours reported missing yesterday have returned. We dropped over eight tons of bombs last night on Bapaume and villages south of the Somme, and on military objectives at Ostend and Zecbrugge. Wo successfully bombed the Ablon railway station at Mctz to-day, dropping 21 heavy bombs. All burst on the railway sidings. Earlier reports stated:—By a counter-attack we reg&ined a portion of our positions into which the enemy had penetrated north of Festubert. Enemy attacks on the Loisne-Lawe front and north were repulsed. Fighting continues on the whole front north of La Basseo canal and as far as Hollebeke. Strong local attacks on our positions in the neighbourhood of Neuvillo St. Vaast, fivo miles north of Arras, were repulsed. N Tho enemy, .after prolonged fighting further north, entered a post near Tilloy lez Mafflaines, threo miles south-east of Arras, but was immediately driven out and our post re-established. There is increased hostile artillery firing astride the Somme. There was severe and continuous fighting last night in the neighbourhood of Merville and Neuf Berquin, two miles to the north-east. The enemy, continuing his pressure, made progress in both localities, and captured Merville. During the night he succeeded, after heavy fighting in the neighbourhood of Ploegsteert, in pressing us back to new, positions in the neighbourhood of Neuve Eglise. The situation on the remainder of the northern battle front is substantially unchanged. Australian and N.Z. Call* Association. LONDON. April 12. The capture by the- enemy of Mervillo represents an advance of 13 miles, and shows the enemy is continuing his heaviest pressure on the direct centre of the original attacking front south of Armentieres. Military critics state this movement of the Germans' right wing cannot be longer regarded as a diversion. There are indications of a great effort to push compact columns towards tho coast. Sir Douglas Haig's despatch gives the location of the enemy's advanced bodies within seven miles of Hazebrouck railway centre, which the Germans for months shelled at a range of 28 miles.