FIGHTING EXCEPTIONALLY FIERCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16988, 26 April 1917, Page 5

FIGHTING EXCEPTIONALLY FIERCE.

GREAT ASR WORK ON MONDAY. i EN-EMY FORGED TO AGT9ON EVERYWHERE, LONDON, April 25. (Received April 25, at 8.10 p.m.) Sir Douglas ilaig reports : further information regarding Monday's battle shows that the fighting_ was exceptionally fierce. Seven German divisions were engaged on tho Croisillos-Gavrelle front, ana several points or tactical importance chauged hands more than once. All remained in ours except a few buildings north of Roeux. Our massed artillery shattered frequent counter-attacks, while those penetrating our barrages were cut down by rifle and machine-gun fire. One British corps took prisoners belonging to four divisions. We advanced along the whole front. There was considerable fighting 'to-day, though somewhat less fierce, at a number of points on the battle front. Progress was continued between the Sensee Kiver and Monchy-le-Preux. Our line was advanced to within a few hundred , yards of Fontain-les-Orolsilles and Chevisy. Counter-attacks by strong forces in the neighbourhood of Gavrelle i n the afternoon were broken by our artillery and' driven back in disorder. Over 2000 prisoners have passed to the rear since Monday morning. Others' have not yet been counted. There was a greater amount of air fighting on Monday than on any one previous day. Our aeroplanes attacked the enemy's machines wherever they were to be found, going far behind the lines, dropping bombs on the railways, ammunition dumps, and aerodromes, and compelling tho enemy to givo battle. Fifteen German machines were destroyed and 24 were driven down. A Large three-scater was brought down in onr lines. Two of oiir machines are musing.