SEVERE COUNTER-ATTACKS AT FRESNOY.

Colonist, Volume LVIII, Issue 14409, 10 May 1917, Page 1

SEVERE COUNTER-ATTACKS AT FRESNOY.

BRITISH FORCED TO WITHDRAW.

EASTERN POSITIONS MAIN-

TAINED;

MANY AEROPLANES BROUGHT

DOWN.

(Australian and N.Z. Gable Association

and Reuter..)

(Received May 9, 7.40 p.m.)

London, May 3.

Sir Douglas Haig reports: Heavy counter-attacks early this morning in the neighbourhood of Fresnoy obtained a firm foothold in our trenctes northeast of the village. The ground lost was shortly afterwards1 recovered.

Two fresh German divisions delivered an attack in force east of Fresnoy. They were repulsed on the right with heavy casualties, our positions being •successfully maintained.

On the other hand, after a fierce resistance on the left we were compelled to withdraw from Fre-snoy %-illage and wood.

Seven of our aeroplanes on Monday brought down seven observation balloons in flames. Six German awroplanes were brought down, two "C"J:e-rs were shot down by gunfire, and seven came down uncontrollable. Eight of ours are mis/sing.