ENEMY PLANS.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8016, 16 April 1918, Page 1

ENEMY PLANS.

ATTACKING IN THREE GROUPS. LONDON, April IT Mr Robinson writes; Prisoners’ documents reveal (hat Ihe at lacking forces are in three groups. The northern is (lie weakest, and consists of six divisions which are to strike through Bailleul in the direction of llazehniek, protecting the centre operations, where twelve divisions are instructed to penetrate from Mcrvillc to Aire. The southerumoHl push was ordered lo reach Bethune on the first day, and thence Lillers, spreading southwards over Ihe coal area west of Lens and Brav.

Only the central thrust lias so far realised ils objective, and that much Jess rapidly Ilian the Germans expected. This morning lighting is going on across (lie Clarence river in Ihe direction of Stevennnt. The situation here is undoubtedly threatening.

At Massines Ihe Scots and Africans continued I heir magnificent defence, thrusting hack the enemy repeatedly from the ridge to Massines and Wyls clinclc, and holding il against repeated attacks.

Equally fine lighting retook Ploegsteert Wood after Ihe German penetration through Ihe southern retreat and subsequent evacuation compelled oiii gallant I mops to give up bitterly eontesled ground. After tile Germans entered they were driven out of Mslaires. They re forced lliciv entrance in dense masses, had captured the town after lierce and bloody hand to-haud lighting in Ihe streets. Below here troops brought up lo hold the Lavenlic positions had an in tense and incessant struggle against great odds under terrific machine and field gunning. The fils! Highlanders fougli I bril liantly on Ihe line of Ihe Lawc till sheer weight of numbers forced Ihe ahaudonmen! of ihe canal. A parly of Gordons were surrounded near Vielle Ohapelle, Iml hung on twentyfour hours. Anolher magnilicen! de fence of the narrow rivorlel of Ihe La we, below Leslrem. I leadqiiarlers shill's brigade held Ihe forward lines with rifles. When lasi seen one brigade commander was rallying a small party of headquarters orderlies and others in a eounler attack against Ihe allacking masses. The Ird brigade of (lie same division at noon to-day was holding Ihe enemy in the region jus! behind the 51st. The Held gunners continued tiring till Ihe enemy were close up, and then falling hack, leaving one gun lo cover and keep the enemy al hay till all go! away lo renew the same game in new positions. Further delails of the Lancashires’ defence al Givenchy show that Ibis battle was Ihe llcrcesl possible. Sue eessive waves broke against Ihe apex ol the line. The Liverpoids held an exposed angle for I wo days and nighlH against unceasing a I tucks, with fro quenl hand to-haud fighting, FURTHER RETREAT LIKELY. TO A STRONG LINE. LONDON, April IT Mr Murdoch writes: Our line con linues strong. Kcinforcemenls are moving Ihilher, Iml a further relreal is to he expeeled. Even if the Ypres snlienl and Arras positions become untenable, we can maintain a line guarding Ihe channel. Al least twelve additional German divisions from Russia have arrived since March 21st, giving an undouhl ed preponderance l<> the Germans, who used widespread cities like Lille and Koiihaix to make see re I eonoentraI ions. ENEMY CLAIM. 3000 PRISONERS AT ARMEN TIERES. A GENERAL CAPTURED. LONDON, April IT A German ollieial message stales: In the rapture of Armentieres the English garrison of fill ollieers and .'IOOO men laid down their anus after a braver resistance. We captured -If) guns and oilier booly. The lolal prisoners in the hallle in ihe Armeiilieres region now lolal 20, 001), including an English general, wilh 200 guns. A French assault westward of Moroni I broke down, leaving 300 pris oners, who were subsequentlv killed hy French artillery.