THE NEW GERMAN OFFNSIVE

Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13751, 26 April 1918, Page 5

THE NEW GERMAN OFFNSIVE

HEAVY BOMBARDMENT ALONG THE WHOLE BRITISH FRONT. GERMANS ADVANCING TO ATTACK DRIVEN BACK TO THEIR TRENCHES. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) Received April 25, 7.15 p.m. LONDON, April 24. The United Press states that the heavy bombardments along the entire British front to its junction with the French suggest heavy fighting between the Somme and the Avre. Moreover, almost simultaneously General von der Morwitz's artillery was active east of Amiens. At dawn the British positions on both sides of the Lawe and north of Bethunc were deluged with high explosives, while the lines north-west of Albert were similarly shelled. When the Germans leaped out of the trenches to advance the British rifles and machine-guns got full into them and the enemy, discouraged, darted back to the trenches. British guns scattered an enemy concentration north-west of Merville. FRENCH REPLY ENERGETICALLY TO VIOLENT BOMBARDMENT. (Australian and New Zealand and Reuter.) Received April 25, 7.15 p.m. - LONDON, April 24. A French communique states that between the Somme and the Avre the hostile bombardment became very violent last night on the Franco-British front, notably in the region of Villers Bretonneux and Hangard en Santerre. Our artillery energetically replied. BEVERE FIGHTING CONTINUES AT VILLERS BRETONNEUX. (Australian and New Zealand and Reuter.) Received April 25, 11.30 p.m. LONDON, April 24. Sir Douglas Haig reports that after a violent bombardment this morning the enemy attacked the whole British front south of the Somme and the French on our right. This attack was repulsed, but the attack was renewed later on in strength against our positions in this sector. The enemy obtained possession of Villers Bretonneux, where the fighting was severe, and continues. We repulsed other attacks on the north bank of the Somme and northward of Albert, taking prisoners. We recaptured a post north-west of Festubert, lost on Monday. The garrison strongly resisted and lost heavily. We took prisoners and machine-guns. We repulsed a strong attack on our new positions eastward of Robecq, and maintained our line intact. We also secured prisoners in minor enterprises eastward of Nieppe Forest and in the neighbourhood of Meteren. (Admiralty per Wireless Press.) Received April 26, 12.5 a.m. LONDON, April 24. German official: Wo stormed Vlengelhoek Hill, north-east of Bailleul, and repulsed English attacks west of Bailleul. We frustrated strong advances north-west of Bethune. HEAVY ATTACKS ON NORTH AND SOUTH ENDS OF THE LINE. ENEMY ADVANCES, BUT FAILS TO SECURE KNOWN OBJECTIVES. f£ (Reuter's Telegrams.) Received April 25, ii.3o p.m. LONDON, April 24. Reuter's correspondent at British headquarters, writing on Wednesday evening, states that two enemy attacks against important tactical positions on parts of our line were launched this morning. The first was against Dranoutre, at the foot of Mont Kemmel, which the French troops have been defending. The enemy gained an initial advantage, but suffered so heavily that they were unable to press the attack, and the situation was restored. The second attack was against Villers Bretonneux, and followed a violent bombardment of gas shells. Two enemy divisions, which assaulted from the direction of the Domard road, penetrated our line of posts and gained a footing in the outskirts of Villers Bretonneux. The battle is still progressing, but the enemy's •bjective has certainly not been gained. , Coinciding with "this operation an attack was delivered against the French between Castel and Sailles, near Hangard. It failed to attain its objective. This morning the enemy endeavoured to push forward his line south of the Clarence river, but was repulsed. So effective was our rifle and machine-gun fire that the enemy was beaten back withou; giving battle. In the attack on Villers Bretonneux throe German tanks were seen advancing along the road with infantry following. LUDENDORFF WILL PROBABLY MAKE A DOUBLE STROKE SIMULTANEOUSLY. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) Received April 26, 12.5 a.m. PARIS, April 24. A military expert predicts that General von Ludendorff intends a double stroke, simultaneously attacking first southward of Arras and second between Villers Bretonneux and southward of Moreuil, with the object of outflanking the Picardy positions.