WESTERN THEATRE

Southland Times, Issue 17913, 19 April 1917, Page 5

WESTERN THEATRE

monchy counter-attack. GERMANS LED INTO A TRAP. LOSSES INCLUDE 2500 KILLED (Australian & N.Z. Cable Assn & Reuter) LONDON', April’ 17. Received April 18, 8.25 p.m. Router's Headquarters correspondent states that the Germans could not have timed their effort to re-take the village of Monchy more opportunely. At the very moment we were ready to advance they were massing in the two adjoining woods, which were hotly bombarded, the advance from the south being beaten back before it reached to within 150 yards of our position. The Germans, emerging from the Vert Sart woods were caught by the bombardment, and the shells devastated their ranks. They gained our front trenches before the village, and after fierce hand to hand fighting tho British were ordered to allow the Bosches to enter a long narrow trench as thickly as they pleased. Then it was terribly enfiladed hy a withering fire, and the remnants fled in disorder. They lost 2500 in killed alone. One officer claims to have shot forty before they bolted. EAST OP BAPAUME. PUKTHEE BRITISH PROGRESS. PRESSING THE ENEMV NEAR LENS. USEFUL AEROPLANE WORK. LONDON, April 18. Received April 18, 7.25 p.m. Sir D. Haig reports : We further progressed northwards of Gouzeaucourt. near Havriucourt Wood. Encounters occurred throughout the day westward and north-westward of Lens, where we continue to press the enemy. Enemy attempts to drive back our advanced troops failed. Much useful aeroplane work was carried out on Monday, despite the unfavourable weather. Three German machines were brought down or damaged. In most cases the enemy avoided combat. Five of our machines are missing. THE FHENCH OFFENSIVE. EXTENDED ANOTHER 20 MILES. ADVANCE WITH IRRESISTIBLE ARDOUR. POWERFUL POSITIONS TAKEN. ANOTHER 2500 PRISONERS TAKEN. LONDON, April 18. Received April 18, 11.45 pun. French communique : We extended our action cost of Bhelms, and attacked the German lines between Prunay and the St. Hilalre-St, Souplet road. Notwithstanding violent squalls of rain and snow our troops advanced with irresistible ardour, and carried on a front of fifteen kUomteres the whole first German position. Our troops pushing beyond the position sooth of MoronvUliers, brilliantly conquered to an extent of eleven kilometers the lines on the solidly organised heights from Mount Com Riot to east of Vaudeslnconrt. Further cast a spirited action resulted in our capturing the village of Auberira, and tho powerfully fortified salient formed by tho German line around the village on a front of three kilometres. Enemy counter-attacks at Mount Comillet were shattered. We took prisoner over 2500 in this area. Between Solssons and Bhelms we resumed a destructive fire on the German organisations, and destroyed works where small enemy parties were still resisting. We repulsed in the afternoon a strong counter-attack in the region of Hurtebiue Form: A violent attempt in the sector of the country occupied by the Russians also failed. Daring the battle between Soissono and Bhelms our attack broke up important German forceu, who wore expecting tho attack. They had brought up nineteen divisions. Prisoners say that orders wore given to hold out at any cost on the first position, which had been deepened. Tho enemy suffered heavy losses. Tho number of uuwounded prisoners taken between Soissono and Ehoims is now 11,000. GERMAN REPORT LONDON, April 18. Received April 18, 7.30 p.m. Wireless German official: After their failure with heavy losses to break through our lines on the Aisne the French have not renewed their attacks. There was bitter all day long fighting on both sides of Auberive, in Champagne.