ENEMY COUNTER-ATTACK.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17322, 23 May 1918, Page 5

ENEMY COUNTER-ATTACK.

DEALT WITH EFFECTIVELY. Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association and Reutcr. LONDON, May 21. (Received May 22, at 9.30 pjh.) Sir D. Haig reports: After a heavy bombardment the enemy counter-attacked in considerable strength on a front of 1200 yards against our new positions north-west of ErviUe. Despite the intensity of the artillery preparations, the infantry succeeded in reaching our positions at only two points, where they were dealt with effectively by our troops. Our whole line is intact. The French repulsed two night raids north of Bailleul. We took a few prisoners in a patrol encounter in the neighbourhood of Noyelles. THE BELGIAN SECTOR. LIVELY ARTILLERY ENCOUNTERS. LONDON, May 21. (Received May 22, at 9.30 p.m.) Belgian _ communique : Reciprocal artillery activity has been very great during the past 24 hours. THE COMING BLOW. ONLY APPARENT INDICATIONS. Reuter's Telegrams. LONDON, May 21. (Received May 22, at 9.30 p.m.) Reuter's correspondent at the French Headquarters, writing on the 21st inst., states that the activity of German aeroplanes and the exceptional violence of the artillery bombardments on the Avre and in the region of Albert are the only indications of the coming blow. The Germans have between Zonnebeke and Noyon nearly one-third of their whole strength m France—namely, 64 divisions out of a total of 210 divisions. They have carried out a redistribution of forces alone the whole front. THE AUSTRALIANS' ACHIEVEMENT. PRAISE FROM SIR D. HAIG. Amtralian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reutcr. LONDON, May 21. (Received May 22, at 8 p.m.) Sir D. Haig has congratulated the Australians on the complete success of their operations on the 19th of May, which resuited in capture of Villers-sur-Ancre and other gains.