HAND TO HAND ENCOUNTER

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLII, Issue 11477, 4 March 1918, Page 5

HAND TO HAND ENCOUNTER

ENEMY SUBJECTED TO HEAVY LOSSES. NEARLY ALL ASSAULTS REPELLED, ■ London, March 1. Two enemy column, attacked last night east of Ohavignon and were thrown back with heavy losses, after a violent hand to hand fight. Another attempt to the east of Corbeny unsuccessful. There was lively mutual artillery fire between the Aisne and the sector of Kheims, where the civil hospital was set afire and was systematically bombarded during the fire. The enemy bombarded out first line in the Champagne during the night, notably the mountainous region of Suippe and in the direction of Butte du Mesnil West, the enemy attack un which was driven back except at one point. Simultaneously a powerful enemy raid east of Suippe was completely defeated. There was considerable artillery activity on the Woevre, where one of our aeroplane crews carried out a photographic reconnoissance as far as Marineburg, 80 kilometers behind the enemy’s lines.

THE LINE RE-ESTABLISHED. London, March 8. A French communique states; We have completely re-established our lines at Pompeile, 'where the enemy attacked on Friday night. There is lively artillery fire on the right of the Meuse, north of Bezonvaux. BRITISH SUCCESSFUL-RAIDS. PORTUGUESE TRENCHES ENTERED. THE ENEMY EJECTED. Loudon, March 1. Sir Douglas Haig reports: The Portuguese had 'Successful patrol encounters. Our airmen are busy bombing dumps, railways and aerodromes in the vicinity of Lille, Courtrai, Tournai, and Mona. Sir Douglas Haig reports: We made successful raids southward of Armentieres in the neighbourhood of Arleux en Chelle. Two enemy night raids entered the British trenches and captured a few prisoners. In a third all the raiders wore killed or captured. After a heavy bombardment on a wide front northward of Nouve Ohapelle, a strong party attacked and entered the Portuguese front trenches. They were immediately ejected and'the position restored. The British-repulsed a raid on the Ypres-Comines Osnai. southward of Houthulsfc Forest.

ENEMY RAIDING ACTIVITY. THE WHOLE FRONT SEARCHED London, March 0. Sir Douglas Haig reports great enemy raiding activity on the whole British front. All were driven off after sharp fighting and considerable enemy losses. The British air service is, active and has brought down four German machines, GERMAN DEFENCE OP ZEEBRUGGE. , NEW FLYING DEVICE. Amsterdam, March 1,. The Telegraaf’s frontier correspondent states: The Germans are continuously thinking out new methods for the defence of Zeebrugge by sea and air. They send up nightlyunmanned captive balloons fastened with electrified steel wire, thus forming a great danger to our airmen if they come in contact with them. A few German aeroplanes are fitted with three screws, one of which is so arranged that it keeps the machine stationery for some time, permitting of more accurate bombing. Marine nets are spread far to the and smaller' submarines are now being built. THE BOMBING OP NANCY. Paris, March 2. Seventeen German aeroplanes bombed Nancy. There was much damage done and several fires caused. Ten were killed. HUNDRED AND TWENTY MILES ATTACK. A PRELUDE TO GREAT THINGS. THE GERMAN WAY TO PARIS. Router, Received March 4, 0 a.m. London, March o. German attacks on the French front north of the Aisne and Champagne are extending altogether to 120 miles. This is regarded as preluding the big German offensive any day. The fact that the attacks are conducted chiefly at night suggests an intended mask for bigger preparations. It is not unlikely that the Champagne will he chosen for a German attempt to reach Paris, because the enemy will thus be able to reinforce his flanks against a British 'attack on coast or a French attack through Alsace.