THE FIGHT FOR LOCRE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 14593, 1 May 1918, Page 3

THE FIGHT FOR LOCRE.

FRENCH REGAIN LOST GROUND

STRUGGLE' FOR THE HEIGHTS

(Australian and N.Z. Gable Association.)

(Received May 1, 8.46 a.m.) LONDON, April 30. Mr Percival Phillips writes : The three days' lull preceding to-day's attack was obviously due to an interchange of German divisions, the rearrangement of artillery, and the necessity of carefully planning the next step m the offensive against the coast. It is apparent that the enemy cannot afford to hold the lme on Kemmel while we hold the neighboring heights. He must have them without delay. Locre was the first of to-day's objectives. . The enemy gained ground on the plain, but was unable to push beyond the village. The French counter-attack-ed m the morning, and restored the original line. The Belgians, though hard pressed, gave no ground. The enemy is here confronted by marshes, making movement difficult and costly. The Germans are pressing the attack everywhere with the greatest determination. During the early fighting around the canal eastward of Voormezeele, the, enemy tried to drive northwards, but completely failed. The Borderers repelled four attacks before 11 m the morning, not giving a foot of ground. The Germans made an effort to drive a wedge between Scherpenberg and Mont Rouge. They reached the cross-i'oads northwards of Locre, but the French drove them back.

The enemy's artillery fire was more intense than m previous attacks. Evidently new heavy batteries have come into position.