THE GERMAN THRUST.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 30, Issue 27, 9 April 1918, Page 3

THE GERMAN THRUST.

LONDON, April 7. Sir Douglas Haig reports: — North of the Somme heavy fighting continued along the whole front south of Anmcto until kite last evening. The enemy constantly attacked with considerable strength with no further success. In local fighting yesterday morning south of tlxc Somme in the neighbourhood of Hangard-en-Santorre we improved our position by a counter-attack. LONDON, April 7. Sir Douglas Haig reports local infantry fighting in the neighbourhood of Avcluy Wood and north of Albert without change in the situation. The hostile artillery continues active At least ten German divisions were participating in the unsuccessful attacks yesterday north of the Somme. The fighting was most severe at many parts of this front as far northward as Buequoy.

1 VIOLENT BOMBARDMENT ON FRENCH FRONT.' I NO INFANTRY FIGHTING. LONDON, April 7. A French communique says: Last night there was a marked and violent bombardment north and south of the Avre, especially in the region of Monchel. There was no infantry fighting. On the right bank of the Meuse and in Aprcmont Wood the artillery duel continues, and is sometimes very lively. VIOLENT ARTILLERY DUEL.' GERMAN ATTACKS REPULSED. LONDON, April 7. A French communique says: The artillery duel continued violent on the Oise-Somme front. A strong enemy attack this morning between Mesnil St. Georges and Memochel was shattered by artillery fire and failed /Completely. Numerous corpses were loft in front of our line. Our batteries further north dispersed the enemy in Gater Wood, south of Hangard and in the Noyon Muin region. The Germans in the Noyon sector, after a bombardment with heavy guns, attempted to recapture our gains north of Mont Renaud. After a severe fight we retained the conquered ground.

Our advanced lines resisted a scries of furious German attacks on the left bank of the Oise, on the front Abbccourt, south of Chauny, and Barisis, and alter inflicting severe losses occupied prepared positions in accordance with orders.

ENEMY’S DESPERATE EFFORT, SUCCESS ONLY TRIPLING.

LONDON, April 7. Reuter’s correspondent at Headquarters, writing on the evening of the sth, says: Puller details reveal the fact that the enemy’s thrust between the Somme and the Avre was a formidable effort. It aimed at getting astride the Paris-Amiens railway and developing the thrust at Amiens. Thanks to the stubbornness of the resistance, the enemy’s success was limited to the croatino of a salient 70UU yards wide by an extreme depth of 2000 yards. There is reason to believe that the Germans threw in fourteen divisions of fresh troops, including some crack corps, and three Guards divisions. The Fifth German division, which bore a large share in the early days of the offensive and were withdrawn to refit and rest, were again fighting. It is estimated that practically a hundred German divisions have been used in the present battles.

Although the enemy yesterday concentrated all their available artillery the bombardment was relaively not heavy. Consequently they relied chiefly upon preponderating numbers. Prisoners arc complaining of the state of the roads, duo to our ceaseless shelling, causing delays in getting up heavy batteries and adequate munitions. Yesterday rifles and machine guns played the principal part in the defence The weather was wet and misty, and unfavourable for offensive operations. The troops are welcoming the inclemency gleefully. To-day the Germans show considerable aggressiveness. At eight o’clock this morning they attacked in the neighbourhood of Dcrnanccurt on a front of 9000 yards, with an estimated strength of six divisions. After desperate fighting they reached the railway.

An attack in considerable strength in the direction of Ablainvillo was completely repulsed.

We attacked from the sector of Fronquevillers. It is reported that we gained our first objective at Bucquoy. The New Zealanders were in action again, and as the result of a dashing sortie they captured four officers and 130 men.

Fighting is progressing on a considerable portion of the front north of the Somme, but not on a grand scale such as would indicate a general resumption ■af the offensive.

In a subsequent despatch the correspondent says; At daybreak this morning the Germans attacked astride the Somme Valley, in the direction of Sorbic, but there is no news of how the battle is progressing. Tho main weight of the thrust seems to be west of the Bois de Vaire.

The Germans continue to fight desperately for the possession of the main Amiens road. There was seme fighting yesterday of the fiercest character. Tno enemy massed early in the morning west of Dernancourt. We blew up the neighbouring Somme bridge. Tho heaviest attack followed, in which the New Zealanders eventually repulsed the enemy after a dingdong battle.