FRENCH GAIN GROUND AT TWO POINTS ON FRONT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16848, 13 May 1918, Page 5

FRENCH GAIN GROUND AT TWO POINTS ON FRONT.

SUCCESS MAINTAINED AGAINST COUNTER-ATTACKS. ONE AIRMAN* BRINGS DOWN SIX GERMAN MACHINES. By Telegraph Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. and E«uter. (Reed. 5.5 p.m.). LONDON, May 10. A French communique states: During the night the artillery struggle was very lively throughout the region of Grivesnes and Mailly Raineval, between MoreuiJ and Montdidier. A minor operation against Mereuil Wood, north-west of Orvillers, enabled us to gain an appreciable amount of ground. A counter-attack completely failed. We made raids south-east of Montdidier, north-east of Thiepscourt, in the Noyon sector, and in the Woevre. In successful local operations we repelled raids to the right of the Ailette region, at Massigies, east of Rheims, and north of Rheims Forest. Lieutenant Fonck yesterday brought down six German biplanes, the first two in ten seconds, and a third five minutes later. An earlier report stated: After a short and intense artillery preparation, we at noon yesterday captured, the park of Grivesnes, an important part of which the Germans had occupied. We brought back a large quantity of material Despite lively enemy artillery firing and reconnaissances attempting to reach our new line, we maintained the conquered positions, which we have organised.