GERMANY STRIKES.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16168, 23 March 1918, Page 9

GERMANY STRIKES.

THE BIG OFFENSIVE BEGINS. EFFORT TO BITE OFF THE CAMBRAI SALIENT. FIFTY MILES OF FRONT AFFECTED. 4th YEAR—234th DAY.

THE WESTERN THEATRE. THE GREAT OFFENSIVE BEGINS. ADVANCE ON CAMBRAI SECTOR. » (By Cable.—Freea Association.—Copyright.) (Bcuter'a Telegrams.) (Received March 22nd, 10.15 p.m.) LONDON, March 21. Tho German offonsivo on the West front has begun. (Australian and N.Z, Cablo Association.) LONDON. March 20. The Germans have begun a terrific bombardment along most of the British front. LONDON, March 21. On tho British front the Germans are reported to bo advancing at several points west of Cambrai. 1 Later. The German infantry attacked in the neighbourhood of Lagnicourt. SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S REPORT. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Router's Telegram*.) (Received March 22nd, 11.35 p.m.) LONDON, March 21. Sir Douglas Haig reports "Tho enemy opened a heavy bombardment at dawn along the whole front from the neighbourhood of Vondhuille, south of St. Quentin, to tho river Scarpe. "We carried out a raid in the neighbourhood of St. Quentin, and brought back prisoners. "We also took prisoners south-east of Messines, and south of Houthulst Forest (Ypres sector). "Wo repulsed a raid in tho neighbourhood of Armentieres." Vondhuille is about 11J miles south of St. Quentin. ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received March 23rd, 12.20 a.m.) LONDON, March 21. Mr Bonar Law, in the House of Commons, stated that a German infantry attack was launched this morning from the river Scarpe to the Oise a front of over 60 miles.

The result thus far had not been reported. Mr Bonar Law added that the German attacks were on a larger ecalo than any thus far made. Our outposts were withdrawn at any part of the lino which was very lightly held. This was in accordance with expectations and .instructions. There was nothing in the nature of a surprise attack. It was launched at the very part of the line which tho War Office and tho Versailles Supreme War Council expected.

Mr Bonar Law concluded: —"I predicted that the attacking party was sure to gain a certain amount of ground. Information thus far does not suggest anything beyond that has happened. The House and country will not be unnecessarily alarmed. The generals, three days ago, informed Cabinet that the attack was coming. Wo will be able to meet it. (Cheers). The House then adjourned. PICKED STORM TROOPS HURLED FORWARD. (Received March 23rd, 12.20 a.m.) LONDON, March 21. The United Press correspondent states: — 'Ticktd storm troops were hurled against the British right flank, thick waves following the smoke of the barrage. • "There was hard fighting at Bullecourt, Ronssy, Vaucelette Farm, and Lagnicourt. "Our machine-guns and artillery cut swaths in the enemy's ranks." Mr Percival Phillips states: — "The Germans' intention is apparently to pinch out the slice of the Hindenburg Line which we captured in November by a double attack —one operating in the triangle of the Arras-Cambrai and Uapaume-Cambrai roads, and tho other westward of the Scheldt Canal, the enemy hoping thus to clinch the jaws of tho gigantic pincers." Mr Philip Gibbs confirms the report that the chief German attack* was directed against Bullecourt, Lagnicourt, and Noreuil. Lagnicourt lies to the north of Cambrai —Bapaume road, and is about three miles south of Bullecourt. and two miles from Queant. llie front affected by the attack is that on which the most sensational and sanguinary battles in Franco in 191 < were lougut, botween November iflth and December 12th, for possession ot tho city ot Cambrai. In the initial offensive S:r Julian Byngs forces made their attack on a 32-miles tront between bt.

Qtientiu and the Scarpe river, penetrating the Hindenburjr line to a depth of o miles, and recovering nearly 1-10 square miles of French territory. The attack was irresistible, hcing led by several hundred "tanks,'' and for a whilo the fall of Cambrai seemed imminont. The Germans a few days later, however, massed many thousands of fresh troops from tho Eastern front and began a stubborn counter-attack, which regained fully one-third of tho lost ground, and saved Cambrai for them. The battle was continuous for j nearly 20 days, and is regarded as one of the most sanguinary in the entire war. TtlE GERMAN REPORT. i Admiralty per "Wireless Prese. ] (Received March 23rd, 2.30 a.m.) LONDON, March 22. A German official message states : "The Bavarians, in a surprise attack south-west of Orncs overran the first lines, and advanced as far as Bruleravene. Wo took 240 prisoners. •'Tho Austro-Hungarians are co-op-crating against the English and French in artillery bombardments over broad sectors on the Western front.'' ANOTHER AMERICAN RAID. LONDON, March 20. Tho Americans raided the German trenches at Toul and engaged in hand-to-hand fighting. ON THE FRENCH FRONT. LONDON, March 21. A French communique states: — There has been artillery activity between the Aiiette and tho Aisne, and also in the Champagne. The artillery fire was somewhat violent 011 the right bank of the Mouse and in Arroy Wood in the Woovro region. At the Bois Brule the enemy heavily attacked. After a stiff light we ejected parties which had gained a footing in our advanced elements. Our aeroplanes dropped H3 tons of bombs behind the enemy lines and a number of explosions, and two fires were observed. (Received March 23rd, 3 a.m.) LONDON, March 22. A French communique states: — "Towards the end of tho night there was an intense and prolonged bombardment on the sectors north and southeast of Rheims; also at various points in the Champagne, where the Germans made several abortive attempts. "Tho enemy's bombardment on the Tight bank of the Meuse became very violent last night. A strong attack followed between Caurieres Wood and Bezonvaux. "After violent fighting, we drove the enemy back from some points at which in the first rush he succeeded in penetrating our lines. We took prisoners. "After a lively artillery bombardment the enemy attacked at 1.30 in the morning in the region of Momeny, in Lorraine. "Our fire repulsed him with Berious losses, and the attack achieved 110 result."

GERMANS USING 1920 CLASS. (•'The Times.") (Receivod March 22nd, 7.25 p.m.) March 21. Mr Perry Robinson (correspondent of "-The Times" at Western Headquarters') states that German recruits of tho 1920 class have appeared on the West front.