TERRIFIC ONSLAUGHT ON BRITISH FRONT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 159, 25 March 1918, Page 5

TERRIFIC ONSLAUGHT ON BRITISH FRONT

FAILS I MAI (NUECnVBS

BRITISH RETIRE FROM FRONT POSITIONS

BUT EMC! TERRIBLE PRICE

I

STRUGGLE STILL PROCEEDING

The above map covers the area of the great German offensive against the British lines. The thick black line stretching from the vicinity of Arras to St. Quentin represents the British line in November last and practically the line, as it is to-day after the latest struggle. It will be recalled that this line was reached as the result of a series of blows by the British and French forces which began in July, 1916, .ind culminated in the breaking of the Hindenburg line last year. Last November a surprise attack led by the tanks carried the line here shown further towards Cambrai, creating a new salient projecting in an irregular shape into the German lines between Queant in the north and Presnoy in the south. Portion of this territory was subsequently lost through a surprise German counterattack, and a further dangerous salient was abandoned. The German offensive now" recorded has led to the ■ British abandoning the ground won by the tank attack in November, and falling back to their November line, as shown on the above map. It seems clear that at some points, notably to the north-east of Bapaume, the British hare fallen back to positions to the west of the old November line, notably beyond the villages of Vaulx, Vraucourt, and Morchies. The greater portion of the ground now gained by the Germans at such heavy sacrifices was of minor importance to -.the British defensive system, being, as stated, chiefly that won by the tanks' surprise attack towards the end of last year. Fighting has been proceeding to the south-west of St. Quentin, at points not shown on tho above map, and apparently the British hare here also Men back on their main defences..