GERMAN MASSED TROOPS CAUGHT BY ARTILLERY

Waikato Times, Volume 88, Issue 13464, 19 April 1917, Page 5

GERMAN MASSED TROOPS CAUGHT BY ARTILLERY

ENFILADED IN A NARROW TRENCH—FIERCE HAND-TO-HAND FIGHTING. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) Received April 18, 7.30 p.m. LONDON, April 18. Router's correspondent at British headquarters writes: The Germans could not have timed their effort to retake the 'Village of Monehy more opportunely. At the very moment that we were ready to advance they were massing in two adjoining woods. The enemy was hotly bombarded, his advance from the south being beaten back before it was within 130 yards of our position. The Germans, emerging from Vert and Sart Woods, were caught by the bombardment, and the shells devastated their ranks. They gained our front trenches before the village. After fierce hand-to-hand lighting, tin 1 British were ordered to .allow the Germans to enter a long narrow trench as thickly as they pleased. Then they were caught by a terrible enfilade fire. Their ranks withered away, and the survivors fled in disorder. The correspondent states that the Germans lost 2500 killed. One officer alone claims that he shot 10 before the enemy bolted.