BRITISH ATTACK MAINTAINED

Southland Times, Issue 17920, 27 April 1917, Page 5

BRITISH ATTACK MAINTAINED

Battlefields Covered with German Dead ATTACK FROM SALONIKA THE BLOCKADE CRIPPLING SPAIN The destroyer action off Dover turns out to have been one of the most gallant episodes of the war, two British destroyers giving instant battle to six German destroyers. The story of the fight reads like an account of the encounters of the olden times, and certainly no sailors under Drake or Nelson acquitted. themselves more bravely than these modern guardinas of Britain’s coasts. The old spirit runs as strongly as ever in the veins of the Navy, and the account of this vivid piece of fightng in the blackness of the night will be read with great satisfaction. Commander Evans, who accompanied Scott to the Antarctic, was in command of the Broke, which he fought with the utmost ferocity and daring. The British destroyers had only one method—“At em.” The Arras battle ebbs and flows, the British gaining slightly, repulsing counter-attacks, and strewing the ground with German dead. Our aerial squadrons continue their work of destruction behind the enemy’s lines. The French are also successfully resisting violent counter-at-tacks. Like the British they are keeping all ground won, and maintaining a steady pressure, with violent bombardments. British progress in Mesopotamia is continued. The Istabulat captures numbered 687 men, 15 guns, and much ammunition. The British have opened an attack from Salonika, and report progress along a mile front to a depth of 500 yards. The ex-Premier of Spain states that business is paralysed by the U boat blockade, and the time must come when Spain will have to Join the Allies.

997 th Day ol the War (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.)