SEVEN GERMAN DIVISIONS ENGAGED ON MONDAY

Waikato Times, Volume 88, Issue 13469, 26 April 1917, Page 5

SEVEN GERMAN DIVISIONS ENGAGED ON MONDAY

POINTS OF TACTICAL IMPORTANCE FREQUENTLY CHANGE

RUT FINALLY REMAIN IN RRITISH HANDS

13 GERMAN MACHINES DESTROYED—24 FORCED DOWN—TWO . BRITISH MISSING. % ENEMY AVIATORS ENGAGED WHEREVER FOUND. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. Received April 25, 8.10 p.m. LONDON, April 25. Sir Doug-las Haig reports that further information regarding Monday's battle shows that the lighting was exceptionally fierce. Seven German' divisions were engaged on the Croiselles-Gavrelle front, and several points of tactical importance changed hands more than once, but all remained ours except a few buildings north of Roeux. Our massed artillery shattered frequent counter-attacks, while those penetrating our barrages were cut down by rifle and machine-gun fire. One British corps took prisoners belonging to four divisions. We advanced on the whole front. There was considerable fighting today, though it was somewhat less fierce at a number of points on the battle front. Our progress was continued between the Sensee river and the MonchyLe Preux line. We advanced within a few hundred yards of Fontaine Croiselle and Cherisy. Counter-attacks by strong forces in the neighbourhood of Gavrelle in the afternoon were broken by our artillery and driven back in disorder. Over 2000 prisoners have passed to the rear since Monday morning, and there are others yet to be counted. There was a greater amount of air fighting on Monday han in any one previous day. Our aeroplanes attacked the enemy's machines wherever found, going far behind their lines, bombing railway dumps and aerodromes and compelling the enemy to give battle. Fifteen German machines were destroyed and 24 driven down. A large three-seater was brought down in our lines. Two of our machines are missing.