THE GERMAN OFFENSIVE OPENED

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 158, 23 March 1918, Page 7

THE GERMAN OFFENSIVE OPENED

BRITISH LINES ATTACKED ON FRONT OF 50 MILES

SWATHES CUT IN ENEMY'S RANKS

By Ttltgraph-Press A«sooiatioii--Copitight

London, March 22. German infantry attacked iu the neighbourhood of Lagnicourt (eleven miles west of Cambrai).—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Reutcr.

(Rec. March 22, 10.15' p.m.) London, March 21, The German offensive on the West front has begun.—Reuter.

SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S REPORT

HEAVY ENEMY BOMBARDHENT" OPENED

(Rec. March 22, 11.55 p.m.) London, March 21,

Sir Douglas Haig reports:—"The enemy opened a heavy bombardment down' our whole front' in the neighbourhood of Vendenil, south of St. Quentin, to the River Scarpe. Wo raided the enemy's, trenches in tho neighbourhood of St, Quehtin,' and brought back prisoners.. Wo also took, prisoners south-east of Messines, and south of Houthulst .Forest. Wo repulsed a' raid 1 in'the' neighbourhood of "Armeutieres —Aus.-N.Z. Cable. Assn.-lteuter.

STATEMENT BY MR. BONAR LAW

ATTAC# EXTENDS FIFTY MILES,

(Rcc. March 23, 2 a.m.), London, March 21

Mr. Bonar Law, in the House of Commons, said'.that a German infantry attack was launched this morning from the Scarpe to the Oise, on a : front of., over fifty miles, but the result thus far had not been reported. Mr. Bonar Law added"The German attacks were on a larger scale than any thus far made. Our outposts were withdrawn from only part of the line, which was very lightly held. This is in accordance with expectations and instructions. Thoro was nothing in the nature of a surprise. The attack was launched on the very part of the line the War Office and the Versailles Council expected.- , ■ Mr. Bonar Law concluded: "I predicted that the attacking party was sure to gain a certain amount of ground. Information received thus far doeß not suggest that anything beyond -that has happened. The House and the country need not be unnecessarily alarmed. Our generals threo days ago informed the Cabinet that the-attack was coming.. We'will be able to meet it."-- The statement was received with cheers—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

STORM TROOPS HURLED AGAINST THE BRITISH FLANK

ARTILLERY CUTTING'. SWASHES IN THE ENEMY'S RANKS,

, (Rec. March 23, 0.20 a.m.) London, March 21

The United Press correspondent says: "Picked' storm troops were hurled against the British right flank in thiok waves, following a- smoke barrage. There is hard fighting at Bullecourt, Itoussy, Vaucilette Parm, and Lagnieourt. The machine-guns "and artillery a-re outting swathes in the enemy's ranks'."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable- Assm

ENEMY ATTEMPTING TO RECAPTURE PART OF

HINDENBURG LINE

BY MEANS OF A DOUBLE ATTACK.

(Rec. March 23, oi2o a.m.) London, March 21

Mr Percival Phillips writes: "The Germans' intention apparently is to pinch out a slice of the Hindenburg line we captured in November, by a double attack, one operating in the triangle formed by the Arras-Cariibrai-Bapaume-Cambraf Roads, the other westward of the Scheldt Canal, hoping to clinch like the jaws of gigantic pinchers." . - . Mr. Philip Gibbs confirms the report'that the chier German attack is ui•rected against Bullecourt, Lagnicourt, and Noreuil.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

GERMAN RECRUITS OP 1920 CLASS APPEAR.

(Rec. March' 22, 7.25 p.m.) London, March 21. Mr. H. Perry Robinson says that German recruits of the 1920 class have appeared on the West front. "The Times."

FRENCH FRONT ATTACKED HEAVILY London, March 21. A French communique states"There is artillery activity between the Miotic and Aisne Rivers, and also in tho Champagne. Artillery fire is somewhat violent on the right bank of the Meuse, and at Parroy Wood. _ In the Woeuvre in tho region of the Bois Brnle, the enemy attacked heavily, but after a stiff light we ejected parties which had gained a footing in advanced elements of our trendies. Our aeroplanes dropped thirteen tons of. bombs behind the enemy lines, and a number of explosions and two fires were ob-served."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-lleuter.

GERMAN TRENCHES RAIDED BY AMERICANS. London, March 21. Tho Americans raided the German trenches in tho Toul sector, and engaged m*hand-to-hand fighting.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. .

ACTIVITY OF BRITISH AIRMEN

HUGE NUMBER OF BOMBS DROPPED LAST MONTH,

(Rcc. March 23, 0120 a.m.)

London, March 21. Tin; Press Bureau states that, excluding raids oil- Germany, British and Australian airmen on the West front in February dropped 5290 bombs in the daytime and 3553 in tho night-time, fhe enemy dropped 28 in the daytime in arena occupied by the British and 1768 in the night-time.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Asen.-Iteuter.