ATTACK ON THE OPPY LINE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 14285, 30 April 1917, Page 3

ATTACK ON THE OPPY LINE.

FIGHTING OF THE FIERCEST. A FLUCTUATING STRUGGLE. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.*' (Received April 30, 10.5 a.m.) LONDON, April 29. Reuter's correspondent at headquarters states : Tho British first and third armies were engaged today m an attack extending from the Scarpe Valley northward to east of Viimy. The main goal was the* Oppy line — a hastily-constructed northerly extension of the Hindenburg line. . The fighting was of the fiercest, it being a fluctuating struggle, with the most desperate attacks and counter-at-tacks. There was nothing at the Somme to compare with the number and fury of the present counter-attacks. He instances that the counter-attack to-day at. Gavrelle was the fifteenth since the Germans lost the position. Once near Oppy five waves advanced blindly, facing an appalling fire m massed ranks. The survivors persisted through field guns, maxims, and rifle fire till they utterly collapsed. Often British rifles decided the rout. Frequently there was deadly personal grapples, m which! the bayonet, but oftener the butts of the rifles, were used.