WAR WITH RUSSIA.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16141, 20 February 1918, Page 7

WAR WITH RUSSIA.

THE WESTERN THEATRE.

« GERMANY RESUMES HOSTILITIES AUSTRIA MAY REFUSE TO PARTICIPATE. STILL ANOTHER RAID OYER LONDON. 4th YEAR—2O3rd DAY.

THE BRITISH FRONT. HOSTILE RAIDERS DRIVEN OFF. (By Cable.—Press Association.— Copyright.) (Australian and Jf.Z. Cable Association.) (Reuter's Telegrams.) LONDON, February 18. Sir Douglas Haig reports:— "We drove off- raiders m the neighbourhood of Gavrelle. "The Portuguese took a few prisoners in the neighbourhood of Iseuve suffered casualties in patrol encounters in the Messines sector." ACTIVITIES ON FRENCH FRONT. (Received February 19th, .7.55 p.m.) LONDON, February 18. A French communique states: — "Violent artillery duels are in progress in the region of Verdun. "We repulsed an enemy attack on the positions we captured on February 13th at the Butto du Mesnil." (Reieived February 20th, 12.55 a.m.) LONDON, February 19. A French communique states:— "A second attack this afternoon on our positions south-west of the Butte du Mesnil was broken by our fire before reaching our lines. "The morning attack was maSe by three battalions, but the enemy was everywhere repelled with heavy losses. "Air activity continues. We dropped 13 tons of explosives in the Metz region, causing several firos and explo- | sions." THE COMING OFFENSIVE THE ENEMY'S PLANS OUTLINED. (Reuter'a Telegrams.) I (Received February 20th, 1.30 a.m.) LONDON, February 19. The United Press Association's correspondent says: "Civilisation is on the threshold of the most colossal battle of all time. The German offensive ia expected momentarily. "The Germans for the first time will use tanks—somo like the Britishequipped with mortars, and others with machine-guns. Their speed is almost four miles an hour. "They will probably attempt to smash tho British front between Arras and St. Quentin, with synchronised blows elsowherc. "Trench mortars will be directed against entanglements, and from support trenches, guns will play on battery positions, roads, railways, and suspected concentration points and theii approaches. A heavy percentage ol gas shells will be used everywhere against our troops. "Endless waves of infantry will fol low like cattlo through the holes in the hope they will thus tear a way in. "Thoir officers are telling their met tho wildest stories about the infalli bility of the scheme, but, according t< prisoners, tho men. aw doubtful."