THE WESTERN THEATRE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16159, 13 March 1918, Page 7

THE WESTERN THEATRE.

MORE GERMAN RAIDS, SHARP FIGHTING NEAR YPRES. (Australian and K.Z. Oablo Association.) (Renter's Telegrams.) (Received March 12th, 10 p.m.) LONDON, March 11. Sir Douglas Haig reports: — "Wc ropulsod three raids, following on a heavy bombardment, in the neighbourhood of Arnienticrcs. ''The enemy attempted a large raid this morning, his infantry attacking on a 1000 yards' front north-west of l'asscliendacle. They wore everywhere repulsed with heavy losses. ''A hostile party entered one of our posts south of Houthulst Forest (east of Ypres), but we immediately recaptured it." CRESCENDO OF THE GUNS. (Router's TclegTams.) (Received March 12th, 9.30 p.in.) LONDON, March 11. Router's Headquarters correspondent states that the principal feature of the activity during the past £4 hours lias been extensive artillery bombardments on various sectors of the front. Gas shells were freely employed. We were kept busy retaliating. There is an uproar along whole front, which constantly swells into a 1 terrific volume. FRENCH REPULSE ATTACKS. (Australian and N.Z. Cabin Association.) (neuter's Telegrams.) (Received March 12th, 7.15 p.m.) LONDON, March 11. A French communique states:— "Our counter-attack repulsed an enemy attempt to reach our lines in the neighbourhood of the St. HilaireSt. Souplet road in the Champagne. "The enemy made a double attack, special assaulting troops participated, against Goose Hill and Dead Man Hill on the left bank cf the Meuse, but they were everywhere repulsed. "A strong enemy group which attempted to gain a footing in our trenches north of St. Mihiel was dispersed. "American troops in Lorraine made a daring raid."

THE AMERICANS. THEIR FIRST DAYS OF WAR. (From Lieutenant F. M. Cutlack, Assistant War Correspondent; with the Australian Forces.) LONDON, February 28. The advance guard of the American army is taking its first experience in ! the war in Lorraine, where patrol encounters have already occurred with Bavarian troops. The Germans long sought to deride the American military eftorts, but now they arc beginning to view with alarm the preparations of this great now Power which is coming into the battleline on the Western front. RESPECTABLE FIELD-FORCE. The advance guard of the United States regular army and tho National Guard already make a respectable fieid force, though they represent only a small fraction of the huge citizen army which will follow before long. Vast numbers of engineers and technical troops are behind the lines, preparing communications and transport routes, without which large number*, would be unable to operate. These men are the first draft- from America, where over 10.000.000 men have been called up. Tho first selections have yielded large numbers of divisions, which have already been equipped' and partly trained in France or America. The remainder have been classified, according to their abilities, for later divisions and reinforcements. TALKING IN MILLIONS. Tho American staff officers talk in millions, and many hundreds of thousands of men are already in all stages of training. The divisions are magnificently equipped, and the artiller>, machine-guns, transport services, tvnd food supplies are tne admiration oi skilled armies. . Individually the Amcncan soldier is more like the Australian soldier than anv other, and his general a PP ear^, r is "keenly reminiscent ot the r.r.st troops which left Australia. 7 lon<* to all classes of society, and are entering the war with the utmost enthusiasm. This is no mere phrase. They represent the public opinion or a great democratic people whose minus arc now turned exclusively to the active participation in a war.- of liberty which is more vital to their national freedom than any which they ever fought. MODEST AND SERIOUS. The men's modest bearing and attitude as they enter the line alongside of the other fighting armies impresses all observers. It betokens the serious purpose to which they are addressing themselves. Egually noteworthy is the eagerness with which they receive and absorb everv guidance which the more experienced armies are ablo to offer. British and French officers attached to ihe American army express admiration for the soldierly qualities and efficiency of the first fighting troops. Many visits are being exchanged be-

tween the American and Australian officers, and these I'eveal the highest mutual appreciation of each other _r-s free peoples in a, new world fighting to maintain civilisation and liberty in Europe. AN AMERICAN MISSION. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) PARIS, March 11. Mr Newton D. Baker, American Secretary of War, and his staff, have arrived in France. LOCATION OF THE AMERICANS. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright,) and N.Z. Cable Association.) WASHINGTON, March 11. An official war communique states that the Americans arc located at four points on the West front, including the north of Laon, where they hold four and a half miles of trcnches. ATTACKS IN LORRAINE. LONDON, March 11. Combined French and American troops in Lorraine for the first time executed destructive attacks on enemy organisations. Charging across COO yards of "No Man's Land," tho Americans showed tho utmost dash, the artillery co-opera-ting with excellent cffect. OTTAWA, March 11. Heavy artillery firo cleared the enemy's front trcnches prior to the Lorraine raid. Tho Americans penetrated for 600 yards, reached the enemy's second line, and dostroyed tho Germain dugouts. The Americans returned safely.