THE BATTLE OF ARRAS

Southland Times, Issue 17918, 25 April 1917, Page 5

THE BATTLE OF ARRAS

Second Attack Launched

TOWARDS DOUAI AND GAMBRAI

Dogged British Progress

IN THE FACE OF DESPERATE RESISTANCE

Prisoners and Guns Taken

RUSSIAN REVOLUTION JUST IN TIME

Army Reduced to Ineffectiveness

CROWN PRINCE BEHIND PAN-GERMANS

The second phase of the British offensive has opened. Sir Douglas Haig has brought up his guns after the recent advance, hurled the preparatory bombardment, and launched his troops. The sector in which an opening has been made lies east of Arras, from Gavrelle, six miles north-east of Arras, down to Croisilles eight miles southeast of Arras. Roughly speaking the British are attacking along the Arras-Douai and the Arras-Cambrai roads. There was, of course, no element of surprise about this attack, and the Germans were fully prepared, meeting the British with a storm of artillery and machine gun fire. Our troops, however, were not to be denied, and although the advance must now. be a costly business, it has not been stemmed. Gavrelle has been taken and Guemappe also, the latter being about half way between Arras and Croisilles. Full details of the lighting are not yet to hand, but correspondents report that fully 2000 prisoners have been taken. The French are probably preparing for another effort. On their front there is just now the infantry lull which follows an advance and precedes another attack. It takes time to move big guns even a mile or two. M. Kerensky, described as the Lloyd George of Russia, states that Russia will now wage a defensive war only. She has no desire for annexation. He says the revolution came just in time. Soldiers were deserting, blast furnaces were idle, the army was on the verge of starvation, and the Germans would have found an easy prey. Now the country is straining every effort. The message sent by Russia by way of welcome to the new Ally ridicules the idea of a separate peace and represents the army as being determined and increasing in efficiency.

995 th Day of the War

(By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright)

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.)

WESTERN THEATRE

the battle of abbas. THE SECOND PHASE COMMENCED BBmSH RESUME THE ATTACK zbcpobtaht ground gained 1000 PRISONERS IN ONE ABBA PSSKT SEVERELY HAMMERED (By Telegraph—Press Assn.---Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, April 23. Received April 24, 6.5 p.ra. Mr Philip Gibbs says that the battle of Arras has entered the second phase, which will be harder than the battle of the Oth. This morning, before 5 o’clock, English, Scotch, and Welsh troops attacked eastward of Arras on the Gavrolle - Onemappo - Fontaine- Crolselles line, which is the last switch line hereabouts between us and the main Hindenburg line. So far the day has been in our favour. We gained important ground, and inflicted great losses. We took 1000 prisoners in the neighbourhood of FontaineEverywhere there was hard fighting, as the enemy were aware they would be attacked as soon as the guns moved op. The Germans were told to hold on at all costs. They brought up many new batteries, and massed machine guns in the villages and trenches covering the line of advance. Fighting progresses at all points. Sometimes onr men are beaten back, then re-attacklng go forward. Gavrelle is certainly oars, thus breaking the socalled Oppy line northward of the Soarpo. We are now beyond Guemappe, southwards of the Scarpo, though fighting Is proceeding around the village on the extreme right. The enemy suffered disaster northward of CrolslUes, whore we captured and killed many. At the outset the enemy resisted fiercely. Last night was terribly cold. Onr men lay in shell holes and shallow trenches, and suffered severely.

XUBBICAJHE BOMBARDMENT PRECEDES ATTACK. BRITISHERS WARMLY RECEIVED. UPTT.T.TATIT CAPTEBE OF GAVELLE BWBMY LOSE HBAVH.T LONDON, April 22. Received April 24, 9.25 p.m. , Mr Philip Gibbs continues: The bombardment which had been steady throughout the night, broke Into a hurricane of fire at dawn. The artillery barrage was brilliantly successful directly the attack commenced, but the British bad hardly risen from the shell holes and ditches before the German counter-barrage started, and furnace blast of machine pun fire from two small woods in front of MConchy and Onomappe also commenced. The enemy trenches below Monchy were defended by enfilade fire from redoubts along the Oamhral road. When the Britishers swept down the Germans quickly fled to the cover of the wood at Bois du Sart. The Britishers alsewbere along the Soarpe were held np for some time hy Intense machine gun fire, and had to await the arrival of tanks. Still farther north the Scottish battalions qniokly advanced towards Boons, passing a fortified farm and chemical works, where the enemy lost very heavily In trylnr' to escape from the sains-

Tbe capture of Gavr»U« was the mast brilliant episode on the left side of the attack. The Germans set great store by Gnemappe, which Is a heap of bricks, deriving its importance from its position upon the Arras-Cambral road. The Third Bavarian Division held the village and there was deadly hand to hand fighting. . The lOltrt Pomeranian Regiment held the neighbourhood of Fontaine lez Crosillee. The Pomeranians for several days were heavily bombarded, and their nerves were so shaken that they came out of their dugouts, and 600 surrendered without attempting to fight. Between the Cojeul and Senee rivers where the British advanced along ’ a curved line following the shape of the rising ground, we took at least 1300 prisoners and a battery of field guns, HAIG’S BEPOBT. HEAVY AHD OOHTXHVOITS FXGHTHrCt. COUHTER-ATTACKS STOPPED WITH GREAT BOSSES. BATTED IK OUB FAVOUR. (Australian & N.Z. Cable Assn & Reuter) LONDON. April 23. Received April 24, 6.45 p.m. Sir D. Haig reports; There has been heavy continuous lighting all day on' both banks of the Scarpe, and important positions have been gained. A marked feature of the operations is the frequency of violent counterattacks, in which there are very heavy enemy losses. We captured Gavrelle village, and two and a half miles of defences to the southward of the village. We fought our way forward on the right bank of the Hcarpe on a wide front southward and eastward of Monchy le Pruix, and captured Guemappe, taking over 1000 prisoners. We also progressed south-west of Lens. There was great aerial activity on Sunday. Fifteen German machines, also four kite balloons, were brought down, and four British machines are missing.

CONCENTRATION OP ENEMY RESERVES. (United Service.) LONDON, April '23. Received April 24, 6.5 p.m. Air Beach Thomas, describing th e new British offensive, describes the great concentration of new German reserves and batteries on both sides of the Scarpe to' meet the renewed attack. He says that one officer rushed his men past the German curtain Are, and then paraded them up close to our own barrage. The moment the curtain lifted the men were in the enemy’s trenches, and bayoneted the whole garrison, save a handful of prisoners. The Germans fought -so the death, till the group, nearly surrounded, hold up their hands. But as the British rose from their shell-holes Uia machine-gunners behind, pretending to surrender, opened fire in all directions. “1 never met Britishers coming from battle with such passionate words of fury.” Much air fighting prefaced the battle, and six German machines were brought down. OBEMAH REPORT. LONDON, April 23. Received April 24, 6.45 p.m. Wireless German official: A now British assault at Arras broke down with heavy enemy losses.

RUSSIAN CRISIS

ROUMANIA

2000 PRISONERS TAKEN GERMAN REASONS FOE STUBBORN RESISTANCE COMPLETING DEFENCES IN THE REAR LONDON, April 24. Received April 25, 12.50 a.m. Correspondents at British Headquarters state that three days’ fine weather pre.ceeded the Scarpe attack, which was made on a front of 12,000 yards. At least 2000 prisoners have been taken. The attack was considerably less important than that of the 9th April, because it had no definite objective like the Old German first line. Instead of a continuous trench system the British were facing roiling country dotted with many isolated posts and short lengths of trenches. Such country offered the artillery no definite target, or object of attack. Many Germans in tbe second line fought stubbornly and there was considerable bayonet fighting. It is evident that the Germans are making every effort to delay the advance in order to gain time to complete their defences in the rear.

FRENCH OFERATIONS SEVERAL ATTACKS REPULSED SUCCESSFUL AIR FIGHTING (Australian & N.Z. Cable Assn & Reuter) LONDON, April 24. Received April 24, 11 p.m. French communique: We completely repulsed several attacks at various points between the Somme and the Oise. Our batteries threw a destructive fire against the German organisation at the Chemin des Dames. We progressed north of Sancy. The artillery duel has been particularly seaevere In the sector at Hurtebise farm, There has been successful aerial fighting.

ARMY DETERMINED AND EFFICIENT. REVOLUTION AIMED AT DEFEAT OF GERMANY. NO CHANCE OF SEPARATE FEACE. (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyrlgnt) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) WASHINGTON, April 23. Received April 24, 3 p.m. A message from Russia, received by the State Department, declares that Russia Is no more likely to abandon the war without achieving the Allies’ object than the United States itself. The revolution was aimed at the defeat of Germany, not to make a separate peace. The new Government in Russia is organising itself on- the American republic model. The army is determined, and is rapidly becoming efficient.

GERMANY’S DILEMMA ATTACK, OR WAIT FOR INTERNAL DISORDERS. LONDON, April 24, Received April 24, 11 p.m. The Daily News Petrograd correspondent says that M. Mulikoff, speaking at Moscow, said: “I posses secret documents showing that Germany is debating whether to attack Russia immediately, or wait until internal disorders should put Russia at Germany’s mercy." RUSSIA’S LLOYD GEORGE DEFENSIVE WAR ONLY POPULARITY OFAMERICA ( REVOLUTION QNLY JUST IN TIME i* TO SAVE RUSSIA FROM DEFEAT PETROGRAD, April 84. Received April 24, 11 p.m. The Dally Express correspondent had an interview with M. Kerensky, who is the Lloyd George of Ruzala, dominating the political situation. He said that the people went to war to defend themselves, and were now determined to wage only a defensive aaty not -an aggressive war. They desire no annexations.” "If President Wilson is expressing the will of the people of America, and not merely making a diplomatic move, then I am in complete sympathy with his statement regarding the objects of the war. I have no objections to the principle of compensation in order to give reparation to Poland and Belgium, The British people are held In great esteem In Russia, bat their connection with Czarism had an effect on popular feeling. The attitude of America as shown after the overthrow of Czarism had given America a popularity that Britain rarely enjoyed. If Czarism had continued when Germany commenced her spring offensive the defeat of Russia would have been inevitable. The troops in January were gradually deserting their regiments, and the armies had only two days’ food supply. Many soldiers were starving. Only 70 per cent, of the blast furnaces were working and the output of minerals ha,d fallen to one quarter the normal amount: The workmen now are all striving to increase the output. Particular attention is bestowed on transport at Vladlvostock to secure American supplies.’’

NAVAL MATTERS

PBIZE COURT CLAIMS VOB GERMAN WARSHIPS SUNS AT TSIKG-TAO. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, April 23. Received April 24, 8.55 p.m. At the Prize Court Commanders Fltzmaurlce and Maxwell claimed £6OOO head money in connection with the capture of Tsing-tao, where after the bombardment found seven German warships sunk. Commanders Fitzmaurice’s and Maxwell's vessels were the only British representatives with the Japanese fleet, and it was impossible to say whether the ships were sunk by gun-fire or were scuttled. Commander Fltzmaurice, in evidence, said he was unable to give particulars as his papers were lost when the Triumph foundered in 3 915. Judgment was reserved.

GERMANS SEISE WHEAT, CATTLE AND COAL. STARVATION DIET FOR TEE POPULACE. (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright) (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) ZURICH, April 23. Received April 24, 5.55 p.m. A wireless German report states that the military seized the whole Roumanian stock of wheat, giving the Roumanians bread tickets entitling them to just sufficient to keep body and soul together. They also removed all cattle and coal. FIRST AXE IN THE HOME. Keep Magnetic Liniment in the house for emergencies. It banishes all pain, and is most soothing, and there is nothing like Dr Sheldon’s Magnetic Liniment to quickly heal burns and cuts, and to relieve sprains, rheumatic pains, and lame back. Quickly stops toothache and neuralgia. Sold everywhere. 1/6 and and 3/- per bottle. When baby Is restless at night with stuffy nose and head, sprinkle some drops of "NAZOL” on the little one’s nightgown. Sound sleep will follow.

GENERAL NEWS

PAN-GERMAN AGITATION. BACKED BY CROWN PRINCE, aHIiTTAEISTB DYING HARD. (United Service.) LONDON, April 23. Received April 24, 6.5 p.m. Pan-Germans, headed by , Count Reventlow and backed by the Crown Prince, are fiercely assailing the Government’s attempt to secure peace with Russia, fearing that the elimination of tlie Russian danger would weaken Germany’s war spirit, leading to peace without victory. The Pan-Germans have bought a syndicate of newspapers in order to advertise the Crown Prince whilst attacking the Kaiser. Count Reventlow asserts that a status quo peace, without indemnity, would ruin Germany, Austria and Hungary. TRANSFERENCE OF COMBATANT PRISONERS. PROPOSAL MADE TO GERMANY. LONDON, April 23. Received April 24, 5.55 p.m. It is officially announced’ that a proposal for mutually transferring combatant prisoners, who have in captivity for over two years, to a neutral country has been made to Germany. PORT OF LONDON RATES. “ CHARGES INCREASED 15 PER CENT. LONDON. April 23. Received April 24, 5.55 p.m. The Port of Authority has raised the dock and warehouse charges 15 per cent, to meet the cost of increased war bonus to employees and other expenditure. ANZAC DAY. SIR JA B. ALLEN'S MESSAGE.

TO NEW ZEALAND SOLDIERS ' ABROAD. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, April 24. Sir .Tas. Allen, Minister of Defence, issued the following 1 Anzac Day message to-night. The message has been transmitted to the High Commissioner to be communicated to the soldiers in hospital, to General Godley to be communicated to the troops in France, and to the Officer Commanding in .Egypt to be conveyed to the New Zealand troops with the army operating in Palestine: — "To-day is the second anniversary of the historic landing at Gallipoli, which will go down in history as one of the finest feats of daring in which British soldiers have been engaged. We are proud to think that our New Zealand troops emerged from this ordeal fit to rank amongst the bravest defenders of the Empire. „Slnce then much blood lias been shed, and many homes have been made desolate, but it has not been in vain. We‘ stand to-day a united people, part of a united Empire, stronger than ever, but chastened by the sacrificed that have been forced upon us. Our troops are still fighting in the farflung line. They will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with England and our Allies till an honourable and lasting peace has been secured. -Let us trust that next time we celebrate Anzac Day it will be in peace, and that our soldiers will have returned to us. Let us also hope that when the clouds of war have rolled away it’s lessons will not be forgotten, and that we shall all realise that if the country is to be free, its citizens must not only be prepared to die for it in time of war, but live for it in- time of peace."