FRANCE & BELGIUM

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 16115, 25 April 1918, Page 8

FRANCE & BELGIUM

USEFUL BRITISH GAIN. IN THE ANCRE VALLEY. LONDON, April 23 (4.6 p.tn.) The British south of A veiny Wood pushed back the Germans 360 yards on a 1000 yards front. GERMAN DECISION. TO ABANDON MASSED ATTACKS. LONDON. April 23. Mr. Hamilton T'yfo writes:—-Enor-mous losses have compelled the Germans to abandon since early in April massed frontal attacks. They have substituted small trickling groups armed with ma-chine-guns. Ludendorff on March 30 ordered tbo absolute, abolition of massed attacks on the ground that they only led to unnecessary losses, adding;—“lt is effective use of weapons, not numbers, that gives a decision.” FRENCH SOLDIERS. AGAIN GETTING LEAVE. PARIS. April 23. M. Clemeneeau has returned from a visit to the front. He states that the best proof that no uneasiness exists is the fact that French soldiers are again receiving leave, which had boon suspended since the German offensive began. THE 31st DIVISION RESPONDS TO THE CALL GRANDLY. LONDON. April 23. Sir Douglas Haig, in his dispatch, says:—The 31st Division on April 13 and If was holding a. front of 9000 yards eastward of the Nieppc Forest. Although reduced in strength as tbo result of previous lighting and the enemy was still pressing the advance the division was informed that the line must be held to the last to cover tbe detraining of reinforcements. All rank.-, responded to the appeal with the most magnificent courage and devotion and throughout a long day of incessant lighting they beat off a sneeession of determined attacks. The enemy in tbe evening made a last great effort by sheer weight of numbers to overrun certain positions in the line, whose defenders died lighting but woukl not give ground. i j j