ON THE WESTERN FRONT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLII, Issue 11531, 7 May 1918, Page 5

ON THE WESTERN FRONT.

ALLIES ADVANCE THEIR FRONT.

CGUNTER-ATTAGKS REPULSED.

SVIUQ DELAYS THE GERMANS.

London, May 5.

Reuter's British Headquarters correspondent states: Some disorganisation is indicated among the eneruv troop?. \ Though hindered by the heavy rains, the Franco-British, in the course of a successful operation between Locre and Drancourt, advanced their positions on a thousand yards°front to an average depth of five hundred, yards. We drove the enemy fiom two ruined farms and took some high ground near Koudepkot. Tho French continuing the operation on our" flank carried some strongly held buildings in the neighbouring sectors. All the enemy's counter efforts •were broken up -with considerable loss. These local successes are of distinct tsctical value, strengthening our defences of the approach to Scherpenberg and Mont Rouge. GERMAN TANKS. INFERIOR.

There is little doubt that the new German tanks are proving a disappointment and are developing various defects in actual work.

Every day's delay adds to the enemy loss and difficulties. We have not any illusions about the German plans. Despite their enormous casualties, they must try to take th 9 chain of hills behind Mont Kemmel, I am convinced their plans would have already materialised but for the British gunners and the rain, which added to the difficulties of the offensive by working havoc on the roads and fields.

Iu water-logged Flanders it takrs a long period of steady sunshine to stiffen the crust enough to bear infantry and suns. The Fourth German Army is now inhabiting broad patches of impassable ground where the streams have overflowed their shallow banks and which are now become lagoons. The Germans on the 'present front line around Ypres and Scherpenberg are living in a bog. The Britisli forays keep the enem; in a state of tension.

TIE ENEMY HARASSED.

GUNS EXACT B!B TOLL

DERfrIANS POUNDED DAY AND NIGHT.

London, May 6.

Mr Percivai Phillips writes: The harassing fire upon the German trenches and.eommunication during the past three days has had the desired effect. Wherever enemy infantry and guns assembled the British guns pnnished them terribly. Movement has been impossible. An annihilating bombardment of the German forward area continues day and night, pounding the reliefs coming up to take over tho broken trenches from the remnants of exhausted divisions. The reliefs thus arrive at their destination greatly weakened and demoralised. Prisoners admit that the reliefs have often lost their; way and drifted hopelessly over tna wide area unable to locate their units. THE WORK OF AVIATORS. THINNING OUT OF GERMAN PLANES. BRITISH AND FRENCH BOMB DROPPING. London, May 6. A French, communique states: There is intermittent reciprocal artillery firo north of the Avre. Eleven German aeroplanes were brought?down on Friday and Saturday amISS otht-rs were forced to descend behind their own lines. Our machines dropped 28,000 kilogrammes of projectiles on railway stations, depot 9 and cantonments et H.m, Chanlnes, Jnssy, Peronne and St. Queutin . Sir Douglas Eai»' aviation report saya: The mist yestorday cleared slightly and during the afternoon our aviators dropped nine tons of bomb on Ohaulues railway and on Estaires. Therd was a little air fighting. Wo brought down one machine and drove down four uncontrolled. Tsvo of oars are missing. Two previously reported missing hsve returned.

Despite the continuance of unfavorable weather, in the night time our night fliers dropped over three tons of bombs on Chauliies and Bapaume.

NEW LORD LIEUTENANT

LORD FRENCH APPOINTED,

London, May 5.

The Press Bureau announces that Viscount Frecch has been ap" pointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. Mr E. Shnrtt, K.C., M.P., has been appointed Chief Secretary and Mr Duke, late Ciiief Secretary, has been appointed Lord Justice of Appeal.

ESCAPING GERMAN

PRISONERS,

CAPTURED IN THE LAST LAP,

London, May 0

Two naval Gorman prisoners of war esc.iped from Larklnil camp on the seventh of April, but were caught at Deal, attempting to escape in a small op'n bOHt to Zeebrusjge. The boat wns well stocked with fo?\d. The men had been hiding by day acd tramping by night for eighteen dnys.