THE WESTERN THEATRE.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14667, 22 March 1918, Page 5

THE WESTERN THEATRE.

ABORTiVE ATTAGKS AGAINST THE FRENCH.

VIOLENT HAND-TO-HAND

FIGHTING,

ENEMY ARTILLERY ACTIVE,

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association

and Reuter.)

London, March 20. A French communique states: j.here is active enemy artillery fire in Champagne^ on the right bank of the Meuse, and in the Woevre. • The enemy at several points on the front engaged in infantry actions. All were abortive. \ A coup-derniain north-east of Rheims was arrested without difficulty. ~ Tie enemy three times'attempted to reach our lines in the Souain sector. Violent fire compelled their withdrawal with serious losses. A. strong attack -south of Arracourfc, Lorraine, resulted in violent hand-to-hand figtting. We partly gained the advantage and repelled the enemy.