#lunderdorff offensive

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“Huns Take Villers Bretonneux and Hangard; Rest of Line Maintained,” Sault Star. April 25, 1918. Page 1. ---- Heavy Attacks by Germans At Many Points Were Checked ---- NEW ASSAULT IN NORTHERN SALIENT ---- Attack British and French Around Bailleul Yesterday and Today ---- London, April 25— Heavy fighting continues on the sector east of Amiens Reuter's correspondent at British army headquarters reports. The Germans obtained a footing in Duquenne wood west of Villers-Bretonneaux. The British counterattacked and drove them back to the fringe of the wood. At several places, the British have retaken ground and their position has improved considerably. Both British and German tanks participated in the fighting. At Villere-Bretonneux, two British tanks, the correspondent says, got among a mass of Germans and did good execution. 

The Germans made a determined attempt to rush toward Kemmel hill yesterday but without appreciable effect The French counterattacked and recovered the position.

At two o’clock this morning, the Germans put down an intense gas barrage on the Anglo-French front in Flanders and two hours later deep waves of Infantry delivered an assault. Fighting still is In progress. 

Three Attacks Repulsed London, April 15— Three attacks made by the Germans on the British positions east of Amiens have been repulsed, it is announced officially. On the Flanders front, late yesterday, the Germans attacked the French positions northeast of Bailleul and were repulsed. This morning after an intense bombardment they renewed their attacks in this sector and against the British positions further east.

The British regained ground around Villers-Bretonneux by counterattacks and took prisoners. Severe lighting was In progress all night in and round Villers-Bretonneux and still continues. Heavy casualties have been inflicted on the enemy. 

On the Bailleul sector the battle Is continuing over a wide front.

The official statement follows: “Heavy lighting took place all night in and around Villers-Bretonneux and still continues. Our troops regained ground by counterattacks and have taken a number of prisoners. Fighting yesterday on the whole of this front was most severe and heavy casualties were Inflicted on the enemy by artillery infantry and tanks.

North of the Villers-Brctonneux-St Quentin road the enemy three times attacked our positions and on each occasion was repulsed with loss During this lighting the enemy made use of a few tanks. 

"Late yesterday evening the enemy also attacked French positions northeast of Bailleul and was repulsed. Early this morning the enemy renewed his attacked in this sector and on the British positions farther east after an intense bombardment. Fighting continues in this sector on a wide front

"A raid attempted by the enemy during the night in the neighborhood of Bucquoy was repulsed. Hostile artillery has been active during the night In the Festubert and Rohecq sectors of the front." 

Hangard Falls Paris April 25— The Germans have captured the village of Hangard on the front southeast of Amiens, the War Office announced today. The battle continued with violence through the night in this sector The French lost Hangard recaptured It and finally were again forced out of the town but are holding ground immediately aronnd it The official statement follows: 

"The battle continued with violence around the village of Hangard on which the Germans concentrated their efforts during the night. The French troops resisted valiantly and counter attacked several times with success. The village was lost then retaken by the French and finally remained in the hands of the Germans at the cost of heavy losses. The French are holding the immediate outskirts of Hangard and the Germans have not been successful so far.

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“Work Of Canadian Cavalrymen Saved Amiens From Foe,” Sault Star. May 18, 1918. Page 1. ---- Were Complimented on Re-capture of Woods By Sir Henry Rawlinson --- Ottawa, May 18 — The following article by Roland Hill has been received here: “Fighting every inch of the ground, taking a tremendous toll from the attacking Huns, sometimes with the French allies, acting often as infantry as well as horsemen, the Canadian cavalry has since the beginning of the great German offensive covered itself with such glory as will live for ever in British military  history. Their capture of the big wood north of Moreuil and the charge of a squadron into a battery of Herman machine guns is according to their comrades in the cavalry corps In a class with Ballaclava. The whole operation is regarded as the most famous cavalry action of the war. Canada must be prepared to find many of her sons gone, but the price paid was not excessive. In addition to turning the tide of battle at various places, in the forward area they practically saved Amiens. 

“General Sir Henry Rawlinson, visiting the Canadian cavalry on April 3, addressed each unit in turn and told them that the two woods they had recaptured from the enemy, the Bois de Moreuil and Rifle wood, were the dominating features the possession of which might at that time have been fatal to the defence of Amiens. No other troops, he stated, were available to retake these vital positions and their courage and determination had turned the fortunes of the day, He said he had sent a cable to Sir Robert Borden, telling him of the achievements of the Canadian cavalry.”'