GERMAN REPORTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16981, 18 April 1917, Page 5

GERMAN REPORTS.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Router. Admiralty, per Wireless Press. LONDON,- April 16. A German official message states: On the north bank of the Scarpe, north-east of Croisilles, our .thrust drove back the enemy at Lagnicourt. To the sanguinary losses already suffered by the Australians must be added the loss of 475 prisoners. ' Fifteen machine guns have been brought in, also 22 guns hsuve been captured or Tendered useless by explosion. French attacks near Vauvaillon and Cbivres failed. There is an intense artillery duel between Soissons and Rheims, where infantry fighting has developed along wide sectors. French storming attempts on the Lorraine Plain and at the Burgundy Gate failed. Between Soissons and Verdun the enemy lost 11 aeroplanes yesterday. GREAT FRENCH ATTEMPT. BITTER FIGHT PROCEEDING. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reutor. LONDON, April 16. (Received April 17, at 6.15 p.m.) A wireless German official message states: There is little fighting at Arras. A great French attempt with tihe fardistant object of breaking through on the Aisne commenced after a 10 days' massed fire. A bitter fight is proceeding around our foremost positions. The frontal attack is 40 kilometres wide. TERRIFIC BOMBARDMENT OF RHEIMS. GERMANS BENT ON TOTAL DESTRUCTION. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association PARIS, April 16. Eight thousand shells pour on to Rheims daily. They caused 25 fires on Friday and a similar number on Saturday. When a fire breaks out the Germans put an artillery barrage around the buildings to .prevent the fire from being extinguished.