THE WESTERN THEATRE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16148, 28 February 1918, Page 7

THE WESTERN THEATRE.

THE COMING OFFENSIVE FRENCH FORCES READY. (Bj- Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Renter's Tple/rams.) (Received February 27th, 8.25 p.m.) LONDON, February 26. Router's correspondent at French headquarters states: — '"As the shadow of the expected German offensive looms larger, it is comforting to know that the French are ready everywhere to meet it whenever it falls. Behind the French front the winter has been a time of methodical preparation. 'Unnumbered miles of trenches havo hscn dug; roads and communications havo been improved; fresh monstrous growths of wire havo been placed on every road and field where any German advance is conceivable; artillery and munitions aro ready in such quantities as tho Germans have never before encountered. JJut surer than the strongest defence is the unconquerable spirit of the French army. Thoy are ready and better prepared than over before." GENERAL FOCH'S VIEWS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) NEW YORK, February 26. In the course of an interview with General Foch, Mr Charles Grasty, the "New York Times" representative, asked: ''Will tho Germans havo new gases?" General Foch replied, "No. They'll havo tanks, but wo can outmatch them." "The Germans," he continued, "may begin an offensive in Itoumania or Macedonia, working towards Italy. I'euton numbers, however, do not make for superiority. They had three to one in the Yser campaign, when wo were almost without artillery or munitions, yet they failed." "Italy is solid,"' lie added. "Her danger is past. While tho British and French are ready to help, thoy believe that the Italian army is holding its own." GUNFIRE AND AERIAL ACTIVITY. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Router's Telegrams.) LONDON, February 26. Sir Douglas Haig reports: — "The onemy artillery is active ai Cambrai, in the Scarpa Valley, and ai Armenticres and Ypros. "Despite the woather our aero planes bombed various targets. Thej dropped over 200 bombs on aerodromes at Courtrai, and billets at St Quentin. All our machines returned. (Received February 27th," 11.35 p.m.; LONDON, February 27. Sir Douglas Baig reports:— "Hostile artillery is active at Flesquieres and Ypres. "Our night fliers dropped 1200 bombs chiofly on aerodromes in Ghent, Tour nai, and Courtrai, and on billets ii Douai and St. Quentin." BOMBARDMENT OF FRENCH LINES. (Australian *.nd N.Z. Cable Association.) (Reuler'a Telegrams.) (Received February 27th, 11.35 p.m.) LONDON, February 27. A French communique states: — "There is marked reciprocal artillery activity north of tho Chemin dei Dames and on both banks of the Meuse especially at Hill 304, Mort Homme Beaumont, and Les Ohambrettes."