During the bombardment of Paris by the German long-range gun, a church is hit while a Good Friday service is in progress and many casualties are caused. Mar. 30 (Sat.) German attacks on the British Front north of the Somme (in the Boiry--Boyelles district) are repulsed with heavy loss. The French recapture Moreuil (south-east of Amiens). Palestine:--The British attack on Amman is renewed with slight success. April 1 (Mon.) Palestine:--The British retire from before Amman and evacuate Es Salt (see March 25). April 2 (Tues.) The British recapture Ayette (between Arras and Albert). April 4 (Thur.) The Germans attack in great strength towards Amiens; they advance considerably on either side of Moreuil (south-east of Amiens); the French lose Morisel and Mailly-Raineval. The Germans claim to have taken 90,000 prisoners and 1300 guns since March 21. April 5 (Fri.) The British and French defences hold against strong German attacks; the Germans make little progress and suffer heavy losses; the French regain ground between Moreuil and Montdidier; this ends the second Battle of the Somme (see March 21). British and Japanese marines under the command of Admiral Kato are landed at Vladivostok. April 6 (Sat.) The British recapture Aveluy Wood, north of Albert; the French yield ground near Chauny. The Caucasus:--The Turks reoccupy Ardahan (see Jan. 3, 1915). April 7 (Sun.) Syria:--The Arabs capture Kerak, the Turkish headquarters east of the Dead Sea. April 8 (Mon.) The Germans bombard the whole British Front in the battle area and northwards to Armentières. The French retire in the Coucy district, south of the Oise. April 9 (Tues.) The Germans attack in great strength on a ten-mile front between La Bassée and Armentières; they penetrate the centre of this sector, which is held by the Portuguese, and widen the gap made (the Battle of the Lys: see April 29). April 10 (Wed.) The new German offensive extends northwards; the British are forced back on the Messines Ridge and in front of Ploegsteert Wood; south of Armentières the Germans cross the Lys. Palestine:--The Turks attack in the coastal sector; they are repulsed and the British line is advanced at some points. April 11 (Thur.) There is fierce fighting on the Messines Ridge, where the British 9th Division repulses strong enemy attacks; below Armentières the Germans rapidly deepen and widen the salient they have created; they capture Armentières and Merville, and force back the British to a line behind Ploegsteert, Steenwerck, and Estaires; German attacks on the lines covering Béthune are repulsed with heavy loss; the Germans claim 20,000 prisoners and over 200 guns in this battle to date. April 12 (Fri.) The Germans strike northwards from the salient; they reach Bailleul and capture Neuve Eglise; the British withdraw from the Messines Ridge; further south the Germans cross the Lawe and threaten St. Venant.