FIGHT FOR KEMMEL RIDGE

Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13752, 27 April 1918, Page 5

FIGHT FOR KEMMEL RIDGE

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received April 27, 9.10 a.m. . .: LONDON, April 26. The Germans have captured Mont Kemmel. -i . HINDENBURG ANXIOUS TO SECURE IT, FRESH GERMAN MASSES THROWN IN Received April 27, 10 a.m. LONDON, April 25, 10.55 p.m. The United Press correspondent reports that fighting continued all day along the heights dominating Amiens from the eastward, also around Mont Kemmel. The French are holding Kemmel village and the hill, while the British hold Grand Bois, northward of Wytschaete. The Germans flung fresh masses against the positions between Bailleul and Wytschaetfl, to Which Hindenburg attaches great importance. H? made progress southward of Kemmel Ridge, and apparently occupied Dranautre. The Franco-British troops are fighting brilliantly side by side. The British apparently hold Villers Bretonneux. GALLANT FRENCH STAND. DEATH BEFORE SURRENDER. POSIIION STILL PROBLEMATICAL (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received April 27, 12.30 p.m. . LONDON, April 26. The United * Press correspondent, writing at 12.45 p.m., says that the Germans have apparently captured Kemmel Hill. The French remnant on the crest fought all night, preferring death to surrender. The ultimite mastery of the hill is still problematical

THE FIGHT FORMCEMMEL. DESPERATE FRENCH RESISTANCE A FIRE-SWEPT VALLEY. GERMANS PAID DEARLY FOR GAINS. (Australian and N. 7 - j Received April 27, i.**" * LfJfnPN, April •.','., i.30 p.m. The United Press correspondent describes the tempestuous struggle for Kemmel Hill. The French heroes on the crest raked the slopes with machine gun fire. Another French unit held Kemmel village with equal tenacity, while from the slopes of Scherpenberg, Mont Ringe, Mont Vidache and Mont Noir the French were pouring in ma-chine-gun fire, batteries were raking the middle slopes of Kemmel, and the infantry counter-attacking, all in one whirlpool of battle. The British on both flanks were enfilading General von Bernhardi's alpine divisions, turning the green flower-filled valley between Kemmel and the Red and Black mountains into a sizzling hell. The Germans paid dearly for their gains. Hardy, speciallypicked storm troops charged Kemmel hill, attacking fiercely north-westerly from Wytschaete. Finally wedged between the British and French flanks they crossed the Kemmel-Ypres road, where they were held up for two hours! They then turned south, and poured down the valley westward of Kemmel Hil, which finally surrendered, but the French on the crest held out lion-like. The German lines to-day run westward of Kemmel apparently, but the ultimate winner is still a matter of doubt.

GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT. NOTHING BIT SUCCESSES. (Admiralty per Wireless Press.) Received April 27, 11.20 a.m. LONDON, April 26. German official: Strong French coun. ter-attacks against the height of Valugelhoek failed with heavy losses. We attacked the Anglo-French near and southward of Yillers R'vtnnneux. Our infantry, supported by tanks, broke through the enemy machine-gun nests. We captured Hangard. We advanced our lines on the heights north-west-ward of Castel. The enemy's reserves violently counter-attacked all day long, failing with sanguinary losses. Bittei fighting lasted all night. We took 2000 prisoners and four guns.

ARTILLERY ACTIVITY.

vAustralian and N.Z. and Reuter.) Received April 27, 11.20 a.m. LONDON, April 26, 1.30 a.m. A French communique reports great artillerving in the region of Hangard on l>oth banks of the Avre but no infantry action. The Germans in the VNoevro, after a furious bombardment, attacked 'n the sector of Regieville and gained a fotting in our advanced line*, but were promptly ejected and the lines restored. Wo took some prisoners. An artillery duel continues on the right bank of the Meuse and in the Vosges.