TERRIFIC GUNFIRE.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8014, 11 April 1918, Page 1

TERRIFIC GUNFIRE.

PRELIMINARY TO ANOTHER ATTACK. WHERE WILL THEY STRIKE? Australian & N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, April 8. Mr Gibbs reports: The terrific gunfin suggests that another great battle is beginning. The enemy artillerying south of the Somme and elsewhere is doubtless preparatory to another phase of the German offensive, wherein they may again attempt to drive a wedge between the French and British. The Germans have large concentrations astride the Somme and still bring up guns. Simultaneously they are demonstrating further north by heavy shellfire at Arras and further north at Armentieres and the La Bassee Canal, where many gas shells were fired last night.

There is a possibility that they may again attempt to turn our defences at Arias, while simultaneously striking hard for Amiens, hoping by success to the south of the Somme to make our positions untenable from Albert above the Ancre valley.

A LULL.

BRINGING UP HEAVY ARTILLERY. LONDON, April 9. Mr Percival Phillips says: There is another lull. The enemy failed to get further results after two days’ hard driving. Therefore lie has allowed his disheartened troops to remain for the past three days resting in trendies they have created in their new wandering line. Il can only he a pause before a still greater attack. Great German guns are coming up and already registering for the next intensive bombardment. There was sudden artillery activity ibis morning. Many gas shells were fired from Arras to Albert, hut the infantry have not yet left cover. We can offord to contemplate the enemy’s latest efforts with satisfaction. We held the attackers well, and even advanced our line in some places. WAR’S HARVEST. BRUSSELS ONE LARGE HOSPITAL. AMSTERDAM, April 8. Frontier reports state that the whole of Brussels has been converted into a large hospital. German wounded by trainloads are arriving hourly. Scores of trains laden with corpses passed Antwerp for Germany. Nobody was permitted in the vicinity of the stations while the gruesome caravans were passing.