GERMAN ATTACKS CONTINUED

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 142, 5 March 1918, Page 5

GERMAN ATTACKS CONTINUED

BLOW EXPECTED IN CHAMPAGNE DISTRICT

ALLIES MAY GIVE BATTLE

By Telegraph-Press Aosociation-Oopiright

London, March 3. The German attacks on the French north of the Aisne and in 'the Champagne, extending altogether over a front of 120, miles, are regardod as a prelude ,to ,a big .German offensive any day. The fast that the attacks were conducted chiefly at night suggests that they are intended to mask bigger preparations. It is not unlikely that the Champagne district will be chosen for the German attempt to reach Paris, because the enemy will thus be able to reinforce his flanks against a British attack, on the coast or a French attack through Alsace.—Renter.' '. HINDENBURG MAKING COSTLY TESTS , GERMAN HAIDERS LACKING IN DASH. I (Eec. March 4, 7.45 p.m.) I . London, March 3. The United Press Headquarters correspondent says: "One event in the speeding up along the West front is that raiding and patrol activity lias increased. There have been a dozen raids on this front during the past 36 hours, some of them important enough to be called attacks. Von Hindenburg is probing and testing everywhere, losing heavily, but apparently he does not worry over a loss of fifty or sixty men if the remnant returns with ono or two samples of the British troops. The Germans are imitating the British, but lack dash and cunning. For example, a raid against the Australians in Flanders by two hundred Germans, including nine'officers, was rehearsed many times against counterpart positions, yet they left twenty-one dead on our wire, including the commander, without penetrating oyr lines."—Aus.-N.Z;' Cable Assn.

VAST RECONNOITRING OPERATIONS PREMATURE TO CONCLUDE GREAT OFFENSIVE IS IMMINENT. (Rec. March 4, 7 p.m.) Paris, March 3. ■ A semi-official report states that the German offensive actions, despite their violence, amount only to vast-reconnoitring operations on the whole front. Both sides were never more vigilant, but it is premature to conclude that these engagements aro a prelude to an imminent offensive.—Reuter. ALLIES MAY DELIVER DEFENSIVE BATTLE (Rec. March 4, 7.15 p.m'.) London, March 3. The "Daily Mail's" Paris correspondent Bays: "If the spasmodic operations prelude a grand attack, the enemy is badly served by tho_ weather, sleet and snow falling since Friday. A. continuance of these conditions will prevent tho manoeuvring of heavy artillery. Given fair conditions, it is considered that the coming operations are as likely to cousist of a defensive battle delivered by tho Allies as of a Gorman offensive."—United Service. LUDENDORFF ADVISED TO. POSTPONE OFFENSIVE UNTIL PRESIDENT WILSON REPLIES TO HERTLING. New York, March 3. The United Press Agency's representative at Tho Hague has learned authoritatively that the German Liberals and Socialists are trying to convince General Ludendorff to postpone the Wost front offensive until President 'Wilson's answer to Couut von Hertling's speech shows whether it is necessary—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BRITISH REPULSE ENEMY RAIDERS London, March 3. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "We conducted a successful raid south-east of Armenticres, and repulsed raids in the neighbourhood of St. Qnontin, Arleux-en-Gohelle, and Ponlrctot, inflicting considerable casualties."—Aus.N Z. Cable Assn.-llcutcr. (Rec. Marcb 4, 7.45 p.m.) London, March 3. Sir Douglas Haig reports :"There havo been patrol encounters north-east of Polygon Wood."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Reuter. GERMAN TROOPS DISINCLINED TO PRESS ATTACKS HOME AUSTRALIANS BRILLIANTLY REPULSE A RAID. (Rec. March 5, 1 a.m.) London, March I. Router's correspondent at British Headquarters states: "Between St. Quentin and the Polygon Wood there were six enemy raids on Friday night, also two onemy attacks. Particular features of'the raids werethe intensity of tho enemy barrages, the promptitude and volume of our artillery in response, the almost exclusive uso of tho riQo for the repulse, and the disinclination of picked Gorman troops to press homo the attack. The biggest attack was against the Portuguese on a front of throe thousand yards, between La Bassee road and Nanquissart, in which the whole of an enemy battalion assaulted aft*r a whirlwind bombardmeut. Fierce hand-to-hand fighting occurred, but a dashing Portuguese counter-attack caught tho onemy still at grips in tho trenches.

London, March '1. "A raid upon the Australians, preceded by a terrific bombardment, was brilliantly repulsed. Tho attackers lumibercd 20(1. The principal point of attack was a little post. The garrison made a valiant defence, hut the enemy carried the post, and passed on to company headquarters, where a counter-attack, organised by tho platoon commander, scattered the Germans. During tlio raid, calls m English were made by the raiders for help, one being from tlio commanderj who was found dead. When the position was restored twenty-fivo enemy corpses were found hanging on tho wire."—Router. AMERICANS REPULSE ATTACKS • • GERMANS SUFFER HEAVY LOSSES. Paris, March 3. The Germans continue their attacks on the Americans. On the Chemin des Dames and at Toul the Germans were repulsed with considerable losses. A feature of the fighting is the Americans' extensive use of automatic pistols, with which they arc most proficient.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FRENCH LINES VIOLENTLY BOMBARDED (Rec. March 4, 7.15 p.m.) London, March 3. A French communique states: "There are lively artillery actions on the right of tho Meuse, and in the Woevre, Domovro, and Badonvillers regions, and a violent bomhardment of our lines north of the Rhone-Rhine Canal."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT. London, March 3. A German official report.states: "East of Reims we forced our way to La Porapelle, which we destroyed. We recaptured sections of trenches southeast of Tahure, and stormed trenches south of Laucourt. We penetrated the American trenches north-east of Seicheprey, inflicting heavy casualties."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Bsuter. SUCCESSFUL RAID BY BRITISH AIRMEN (Rec. March 4, 10.45 p.m.) London, March 3. The Admiralty reports: "Our aircraft successfully raided seaplane sheds at Ostend. A number of hits were obtained from an altitude of 150 to 300 feet; also, three direct hits on aircraft battery in the vicinity."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable ABsn.-Reuter.