HALF GERMAN ARMY ENGAGED

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 160, 26 March 1918, Page 5

HALF GERMAN ARMY ENGAGED

BRITISH TROOPS' TERRIFIC ORDEAL ENEMY PROGRESS STOPPED DESPERATE STRUGGLES -FOR STRATEGICAL POINTS CONFIDENCE OF BMTISH HIGH /■*" •' -COMMAND ■.'..■ RESERVES PREPARING TO -ATTACK

By TeleirraDli-Press Association-Copyright London, March 24. . Sir Douglas Haig reports:—"Thero. was no material change in/the battlefront during the night, though further fighting occurred at a number of points. We are holding the line of tho Somme River to Peronne. Small parties of the enemy endeavoured to crpss in tho neighbourhood of Pargny (eight miles south of Peronne), hut were driven back. We are in touch on 1 'our right with the French. Northward of the Somme River our troops at Peronne hold their positions after beating off a number of attacks on different portions of this front in the early part of the' night. Heavy fighting must still be expected." ENEMY'S ATTACKS PRESSED REGARDLESS. OF LOSSES. \ ■ . London, March 24 In a later report Sir Douglas Haig says:—"The battle continues with the greatest intensity" on the whole front south of the Scarpe River. Our troops have taken up their new positions, south and west of St. Quentih, . n'nd are heavily engaged with tho enemy. Strong hostite attacks during the night in the neighbourhood of Jussy were repulsed, with great enemy • ■losses. On the northern portion olf tho battlefront the enemy's attacks were pressed with the utmost, determination and regardless of losses. Our troops maintained their positions on the greator part of this front, after a fierce and prolonged struggle. Great gallantry was shown by the troops en- . gaged in the fighting in this area f and to the south. The Nineteenth and Ninth Divisions distinguished themselves by their valour in ,thedefence of one sector. Sis attacks, in which' German cavalry participated, were beaten'off by one of our infantry,brigades. The enemy's attacks (continue with great violence."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.

ENEMY CROSS THE SOMME AT SOME POINTS. (Eeo. March 25, 8.16 p.m.) • . London, March 25. f Sir Douglas Haig reports: —"Fresh hostile attacks were made this mornnng in great strength on the whole front, and continued all day. Southward of Eerohne the enemy crossed the Somme at certain points. These crossings I are heing dealt with. The enemy's' attacks north of Peronne are of the greatest violence against the lino of the Tortillo Eiver. Our troops in this area have withdrawn fighting to a new position.- Further north we repulsed repeated assaults by large bodies, inflicting heavy losses. In this fighting the '.Seventh and Fortieth Divisions greatly distingnished themselves, beating off jaiany attacks."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. : \

WAR CORRESPONDENTS' DESCRIPTIONS OF , THE BATTLE BRITISH HOLDING THE LINE OF THE SOOTHE .■ ■ '■'•••. Y. WITHDRAWAL METHODICALLY CARRIED OUT

CReo. March 25, 10.25 p.m.) ' 'uOndon, March 24. Mr.. Phillip Gibbs writes: The enemy, continuing his attacks all day along' pie -whole battlefront, made progress at various points, in spite of heroic Resistance. We were greatly outnumbered, owing to the enormous concentration of enemy divisions, which are constantly reinforced, and which • pass .■through each other so'that fresh regiments may pursue the assaults. Our •inen have fought gallantly for three days, and inflicted severo losses at every part of the battleline. Thus the enemy, where he has advanced, has passed through thousands of his. own doad and wounded. In accordance with our general plan, we have methodically fallen back to new defensive lines,' under continuous and increasing enemy pressure. This movement has been covered by the most glorious heroism on the part of small bodies of men, iWho sometimes sacrificed themselves to the last man in order to gain time for their comrades, and who, though entirely surrounded in some cases, defended redoubts and outposts for many hours, pouring machine-gun fire upon the advancing waves and raking their ranks. So it was yesterday round the Lenin Hill, for which the enemy fought with desperate obstinacy, sending forward column after column. Lagnioourt and Croisilles are under our artillery fire, .which has slaughtered the enemy there in large numbers. Our infantry did wonders in defending the hill which guards the way of the Scarpe • Valley, and here there was long and intense fighting yesterday and to-day, in which our deaf men withstood repeated onslaughts of vast numbers, holding out. .and counter-attacking with unconquerable spirit to the death. So was it also on the right and in the' centre of the battlefront, right from the beginning of these tremendous actions tlnee mornings ago. Attach Launched hy Overwhelming Number of Storm Troops. "In the southern part, the battle began along the whole sweep with a six hours' bombardment and an intense fire of gas-shelling against our batteries. Afterwards the attack was launched by overwhelming numbers of storm troops. Our line was held by some three divisions from a point south of Pontruet to Inanoourt, south ;f the 9t. Quentin Canal. Previously the tenemy held the line with three divisions, but the night before the battle he ' reinforced them until eight divisions were massed there, while at one point, on a frontage of two thousand yards, the enemy had a division against our one battalion. By Bplendid v.ork, our intelligence corps learnt that the attack was coming, shd wo pouted a heavy fire over'tho enemy lines and drenched the town of St. Quentin, crowded with enemy troops, with gas, causing him heavy casualties, though it did not suffice to break; up his organisations and plans. Batteries Moved to Avoid tho Bombardment, "The position of some of our batteries was slightly changed to avoid the German bombardment. This was effective, as the enemy poured a fright-, ful delugo "of high explosives upon the. empty emplacements, but a number of field batteries was left to cover any withdrawal of the outpost lino, and these heroic gunners served their batteries to the last until the enemy swept over them. Oil this sector of the front, north and south of St. Quentin, and opposite our lino further south, the enemy's intention, as learned from prisoners, was to reach the line of the St. Quentin Canal on the first day, and jthen advanco by quick stages westwards. Assaulting Troops Thrown into Confusion by Fog. "In spite of tho intense gunfire from massed batteries, supported by • howitzers and a large number of heavy trench mortars, the enemy plans were thwarted as far as rapidity of progress was concerned. A heavy fog early on the morning of March 21 thow the enemy's assault troops at some parts into wild confusion. His first line! of assault, through which were interspersed machine-gun companies'at intervals of a hundred yards, and then heavy machine-guns and field artillery, sometimes became hopelessly mixed with tho third and fourth lines, whilothe right battalions were confused with the left battalions in the thick fog. Our machine-gun fire caught their 1 waves and checked the paco of the onslaught, and caused the enemy heavy losses. The enemy troops were ignorant of tho line, having been brought up , 'during the night from a long distance behind. Even the officers had only sealed ordors and a scrap of map marked with a fereen line showing the objectives. The German High Command rolied entirely on the weight of guns and man-power to break our resistance and on tho driving power of the whole monctrous machine in movement. To this the enemy owes much of his progress. Our lino was not strong enough to hold all its old positions against such a 'tide-of bruto force. Our men served the guns as attack followed attack and column followed column, and our losses inoreased. As tho hours passed they wero ordered to give ground at certain points, and they fell back fighting one ©f those heroic rearguard actions from one position to another. The Main Attack South of St. Quentin. "The main attack just south of St. Quentin was directed against Urvillers and Essigny. The enomy forced his way through these places by great drives. Our garrison there was partly destroyed by his stupendous gunfire. He seems to have gained possession of Essigny before midday on March 21, a,nd captured Condescourt. This gave him important high ground, which he pscd to the full. He succeeded by this in. beuding our

line at the right flank of tho Ulster division north of tho canal, which he crossed hereabouts, and by advancing his held artillery lie was ablo to bombard tho line to which our main body troops had withdrawn. Down from Maisseny and Hotnon Wood .to Savy unci Honpy ho pressed forward against this, lino, bnt meanwhile several detached companies of our men holding out in a redoubt were entirely surrounded by the enemy. They were defended by machine-guns and had 'lS hours' food supply. One company was near St. Quontin, another near Grugies, and many others southward and past Fort do Liez to La Fere. These companies-of English, Irish, Buffs and Londoners held out, saw tho enemy streaming past them, and knew they woro cut. off, but would not retreat. ' S<mio of them maintained'their firo until tho evening, when their ammunition was spent. They then tried to fight a way through. I fear many did not succeed in this heroic adventure, but their service, which wil! always bo remembered, checked the enemy's progress and gavo their comrades the greatest chance later. Fight for the Canal Crossings. "On the first day of tho battle tho enomy reached tho villago of Grand Serancourt, on the high ground south of St. Queutin, which dominates the positions on the other bank. Ho was fighting thero all night, and yesterday morning had eight divisions against our eplendid hard-pressed tlirco, while ho had in support two further divisions. Tho main enemy attack was between ltoupy and tho canal,' and all day yesterday ho fought us ceaselessly. Tho enemy forced his way past tho villages of Artemps and St. Simon in a desperate endeavour to gain the canal crossings. About mid-day yesterday the enemy directed a' column against Tugny, eastward of Hani, to capture the bridgehead, Meanwhile, further north, the security of our three divisions in this sector was threatened by an enemy advance on tho left. . Wo withdrew further back one body of troops sent to hold tho Tugny bridgehead, and two other units of the same division covered the division as they fell back. They did this with glorious gallantry, and late last night their last rearguards returned after many hours' battle The Cfirmans Densely Massed. In a later message Mr. Gibbs says:—"Opposite the British line north of the Oise River tho enemy assombled four divisions, and then thero was a gap owing to the marshes. Tho Germans were so densely massed that tlrero was''a division -upon oach kilometre of tho front. The Germans never spread a division beyond two kilometres, with a battalion for every 500 yards. Although on the right tho fog confused the enemy, owing to the width'of No Man's Land, further north the fog was in the Germans' favour, as our men with the machine-guns in enfilade positions could not see them until the attackers were quito close. It was decided to withdraw to Monchy on Saturday night. Tho movement was made without the onemy's knowledge, and it was only discovered three hours after tho last man had left. There were ton attacks against Vaulx and Vraucourt on Saturday. German Cavalry Brought Up. "The Germans brought up cavalry, but the line was not pierced, and was only a great slaughter of men and horses by tho British machine-gunners. When the Uhlan? were reported to bo advancing in tho neighbourhood of Ham to Guiscard, all tho servants of 'the Headquarters Staff, including the cooks, orderlies, and transport men, wcro gathoied and sent up the road to hold tho village." "The Immortal Heroism of the Highlanders," Mr. Gibbs pays a tribute to the immortal heroism of tho Highlanders' First Division when their right flank was exposed. A battalion of tho Seaforths covered the withdrawal of the other troops, regardless of their livos against the enemy hordes, and held th e position oven when the enemy brought up two field guns and fired into the Se aforths at point-blank range. Only a few of the Seaforths survived. . , German Advance Slowing Down. After breaking across the Oiso and the St. Quontin Canal, the Germans pressed hard, despite their frightful 'losses, and fought their way through tho woods around Ham. They showed no weakening in attack, but the advanco was slowing down. Our mon and pris oners agree that tho German lossos have been on the highest scale. Some Gorman battalions lost 75 per cent., and hardly any of the attacking units lost less than 30 per cent. One prisoner stated that out of his company of -258, only 50 were alive. There were several cases like this. The Offensive an Act of Desperation. The Germans were sent out into the blue with two days' iron rations, and they are now hungry, exhausted and dazed by the long struggle. They say the offensive was begun as an act of desporation because Germany must have peace. Despite their• progress, they ore now depresced becauso they have had no decisive victory. Since Sunday morning the Germaus have hoen held and have made no progress of any kind.

Germans Calnce! No Strategical Success. Colonel Repington, military correspondent of tho "Morning Post," sa.ys: —"The Germans have gained eight miles in two days, being half the first day's objective Thoy have also gained an indisputable tactical success, but no strategical success. Tlie prisoners captured thus far are below the number of wounded/who might have been expected to lie left behind. The guns raptured are only a fraction of tho divisional artillery supporting the first lines. The loss will not incommode us. Tho ground won is a portion ol what the Germans voluntarily surrendered in 1017. They employed fifty divisions in retaking it, after severe losses. Our reserves will soon be ready to return blow for blow. The deployment of considerable resorves and tho accompanying artillery is not a matter of a few hours. The Germans took ten days in bringing up reserves to retrieve the Cambrai losses." Courageous Work by tlie Machine-gunners. Mr. Pereival Phillips, correspondent of the "Daily Express," _ says:— "Tho enemy between La Fore and St. Quentin had one assault division opposed to each British battalion throughout Thursday, ■ and the battle was unceasing on the downs beside..the Oiso. Tho Geririana ill lofty observation towers on the crest of a hill at St. Gobain could follow every movement of their men. Having occupied all the high ground, the Germans were able to search the valleys beyond which are still in our possession. T ho open country south of St. Quentin contained a number of strong redoubts equipped witft machine-guns, food, and water. All these held out until the afternoon, and some until the evening, but one after another were taken by storm. The Buds and Londoners, who were holding the old Vaudan Keeps near La Fero and Yendoul, kept up a steady fire long after the Germans were a great distance behind them. Tho Germans poured nion through the patches of woodland dotting tho rolling country between the Oiso and the St. Quentin Canal. We withdrew behind the canal during Thursday night. Battle Renewed With Fresh Enemy Troops. "The enemy renewed the battle on Friday with fresh troops. We.fought a severe rearguard action throughout Friday. By Saturday morning tlie Germans held tho bridgeheads at tho St. Quentin Canal, and Jiad thrown largo masses across. Wo fell back behind tho lino of railway which runs parallel to tho canal, with hilly wooded country in our rear. The canal.is dry near Ham, and the enemy crossed readily. German prisoners said they had suffered greatly owing to our machine-gun fire. Tho attacking divisions lost 40 per cent, of their strength. Meanwhilo there have been two days of tho fiercest fighting between Arras and Bapaumo for tho high ground between the rivers Cojcul and Sensee, and a scries of villages around Beaumetz. British Outnumbered by Eight to one. "Our men were- outnumbered by eight to one, hut clung to the battered trenches with traditional tenacity and tho most dogged resistanco in the Scarpo marshes. One report received read that twelve machine-guns were still sticking on tho ridge, although tho infantry on both sides bad been forced back. These twelvo guns remained firing into the advancing waves long after the infantry had retired, the gunners' heroism rendering invaluable service. Wherever possible tho Germans used the ordinary roads, which were fairly whole, and showed an utter disregard of tlie ■ British artillery. The Germans made no attempt at concoalment. I could not help being impressed with the celerity wherewith troops followed troops with rapid blows at our fluctuating line. They enmo with trench mortars, while field guns pressed up behind into tho villages just evacuated. Heavy mountain guns from the Balkans wore sent forward slung on horses. Plucky Counter-Attack at Mory. "Mory, where wo fought throughout Friday night among the cellars, was a cockpit of sanguinary, fighting. Some English who were cut off refused to surrender. Their comrades counterattacked continually andl bayoneted tho Germans, releasing the defenders with comparatively few casualties. Our lino hero is a sharp salient. Wo were obliged to fall back on Saturday morning. No troops had a harder time than our weary men at Mory. Tho spirit of our men is in nowise shaken by the necessity to givo ground. Everywhere there is the greatest activity, but it is orderly. Tho stores/equipment, hospitals, and ammunition were safely taken back. Transport columns rolled back in perfect order.' Tho staffs carried on operations as methodically as ever, sometimes grouped at a table in an orchard." —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. . Cermans Saved by the Mist. Mr. H. Perry Robinson, writing on March 22, says:—"Tho battle was nowhere fiercer than between Gouzeaucourt and Epehy. The enemy attacked in overwhelming strength after a relatively ineffective bombardment. He stealthily emerged from a thick mist in solid linos, presenting a magnificent target at close quarters. Tlie British say the only surprise was due to the mist, which, saved tho Germans a smashing defeat at this point. A terrific

eomn'at raged at Gauche Wood, which was held hy the Scots and South Africans, the defence recalling the glories of Delvillo Wood iu 1916. All day the ) Germans camo on in successive waves several times, and penetrated the : i edges of tho wood, but were always wiped out or thrown back. ~\ British Hold Their Cround All Day. x j 'At tho end of an almost unimag : i; able day tho British here had not lost . j a, foot of ground. Below Gauche Wood, on an _ area extending from j Peizieres to Epehy, one British division,. mainly, Leicesters and Northumber- | lands, encountered three enemy divisions and part of a fourth'. 'The'fog ' ■! again obscured the advance. Only at one part was tho lino breached. A 1 . j party of Leicesters holding a farm fought until all were killed or wounded. The Germans, using flame-throwers, captured Peizieres, but were driven out_ by j the British, aided by tanks, after tho bloodies? struggle, the Germans losing ] terribly. British officers say that tho_ men, though fighting against fearful 1 odds, showed absolutely automatic precision, and positively crowed with joy ] when they realised the punishment inflicted on the Germans. Our losses j wore inevitably heavy, but the position was held. The withdrawal of tho ! British near Epehy compelled other.gradual retirements to Templeux-la-Fosse, where there was heavy fighting on Friday and Saturday. j The New Position Not Yielded. j "The defenders had borne a terrible two days'battle, yet had'not yielded the now position. Two batteries mowed down masses of tho cneray_.it \ point-blank range the whole of Friday. The Germans during tho retire- j ment began looting the adjoining huts, but none of them were. seen, again. i They concealed rearguard, machine-guns, which riddled the buildings lind ] kiTjed alMhe Germans inside. The British asked officers from the Balkan j units, who had been taken prisoner, wliether this really was Germany's j supreme effort. They replied, 'Certainly, or we should not he here I' They ruefully added: 'We have been given the job di clearing the Germans' path' to open figfiting.' "—"United Service. i German Claim Regarding Prisoners Absurd. , Mr; Robinson, writing on March 24, says: "The battle is raging with un- ; , abated violence. The Germans are pressing on despite terrific losses. Their claim regarding prisoners'is absurd. The German casualties are estimated at . ' 200,000, and they are based on calculations not easy to dispute."—"The Times." Cermans Crushing on Regardless of Cost. Reuter's correspondent at British Headquarters, telegraphing yesterday, says: "There is now no doubt that the Germans are making their supreme ef- , fort against the British. Fifty enemy divisions have already been flung into tho battle, whilst probably twenty-five more are in close reserve. The Germans are crushing on regardless of the cost. Under the tremendous onslaught j our troops in many places are very slowly falling ..back voluntarily, and iu excellent order. They maintain an unbroken front to the dense enemy masses. j Yesterday and throughout tho night the battlefront continued to extend southward. I hear the French are now engaged on our right. There is most intense fighting, around Roisol (10 miles north-west of St. Quentin) anct ; Aincourt (2J miles west of Roisel), where, with indomitablo valour, every fooij of ground is being contested. - ~.* ' '.' Slaughter of the Enemy Appalling. "The slaughter of the enemy is. appalling. Twclvo times every available!: gun in this area was concentrated upon the solid massed bodies of the Germans. - •.■.■... . : "Northwards the enemy is pressing hard upon the defenders at Hermies (8j miles west of Marcoing). Thoy got into Mory, but a most dashing counterattack drovo them out, and a largo party was surrounded and probably cap-, tured. The enemy is advancing in great masses both north and south; to* wards St. Leger (two miles south-west of Oroisillcs). Dense columns are ro-i i ported to bo marching from Lagnicouit down tho Bapaumc-Laguicourt Road I through Vaulx-Vrancourt. In tho afternoon bodies of cavalry were seen mov- -j ing down the Ham-Maliguy (southern portion of tho Ham-Pcronne Road) and j tho Ham-Sfc. Quentin Roads, aiid it is rumoured that some infantry have; • j crossed the Sommo Canal. We aro confident that the Germans' tremendous! j and probably despairing effort has failed, but the test.-is a supreme one... '■ News" comes out of tho thunderous vortex in disjointed scraps,- aiid it is.' -i difficult to piece them together. If the news is correct, it suggests that tho. : Germans are attempting a turning movement, pivoting on Ham,in which casgj > owing to tho massed of troons at their disposal tho situation here may proy«-[ _. less nromising than along the rest of the line of withdrawal. Meanwhile the weather remains brilliant, and the terrible slaughter of the enemy hordes'continues from the ground and the air." Tho German Plans and Objectives. Writiiig on Saturday evening, Reuter's correspondent says that captured copies of the German plan of offensive show that the enemy objectives wer&sFor the first day, an average penetration on the wholo front of eight kilometres (five miles); second day, twelve kilometres (seven and a half miles); third day (boyond which the scheme does not appear to be carried), twenty) . kilometres (twelve and a half miles). Tho success attained hitherto falls i much short of these objectives. An attempt to cross the Sommo hy means of four bridges last night was detected and frustrated, with great enemy loss, by the artillery. All the roads of tho German advance are blocked with columns of troops, 'guns, and transport, on which wo are making deadly play. Bough estimates of tho casualties inflicted vary .between'3o and 50 per, cent, of all the divisions hitherto identified. Tho correspondent adds: "I give the figures for what they may he worth."—Renter. Issue of the War Hangs Upon the Immediate Future. A later message from Router's correspondent states that the enemy is now throwing the last ounce-weight of resource into the struggle. Upon the course of events, in the immediate future. hangs tho issue of the war. A . captured airman stated that the offensivo is the result of desperation. '■!«e must have peace quickly now," he said. British Defence one of the Createst Epics in History. "Our troops throughout March 23 wero very hard pressed by the rollingon enemy legions through whose weary rani's fre3h divisions wero continually pouring. Tho magnificent defence which tlie slowly-rotiring British line has ; ... thus far made assuredly constitutes one of the greatest epics in history. I, find at high quarters to-day unbroken serenity and confidence, and satisfac-; tion with the general position. During the afternoon of March 23 in the region of Ham things temporarily looked very ugly whon t>.e enemy outflanked. • us and hurried up cavalry in order, to extend an enveloping movement, hut ,v vigorous counter-attack restored the position. When reading German claims, remember tho extent of tho battlefront. Do not forget the enemy's concentration of guns, which'is tho greatest ever; recollect the awful hecatomh marking tho wako of his advance. French Troops at the Top of Their Dashing Moral. "Tho French troops'on our right, after a lengthy rest,' are at the top of their dashing moral. Yostorday there was Homeric fighting on the centre of the battlefront, where our machine-gunners a number of times had to cease from jsheer oxhaustion of killing. Never havo British arms so_ superbly met such an overwhelming test. These forces included a> South African contingent and a Newfoundland battalion, both of which have been fighting magnificently. ' ■' v Tho Enemy Being Held. "The fourth day of the-offensivo brought no surprises, although the enemy;' long-rango guns wero doing their utmost day and night. Between Lagnicout and Hermies tho British wero confronted hy eight to ten divisions and seven hundred guns. Tho preliminary bombardment along- the whole front on tho first day was the heaviest over experienced, and ranged to exceptional depth. Probably owing to German gunnery not being so accurate- as" ours, before the infantry advanced tho barrage lifted to a considerable distance. The Germans will not hug.the barrage*'as do the British; otherwise their advance was similar to our attacks, except that tho enemy waves wero far denser. Since the preliminary bombardment, enemy artillery firing has shown a tendency to decrease. Tho situation at present appears to bo thai) wo are holding the enemy virtually along tho whole front, although he is pressing his attacks very heavily. For example, one village was taken bythe Germans, retaken hy us, retaken by tho Germans, and yet again recaptured by the British, and at present it is not definitely know; to be occupied' by either side. There aro wide stretches of No Man's Land with pockets of the enemy intersecting our posts. The covering notions-of brigades > and divisions fought with a view'to secure orderly withdrawals} are magnificent epU "X Two battalions sustained a flank attack.all 'night until the object was"Wi'led. Theso hattalions wero reduced to seventy apiece. Enemy cav- ; airy was'reported at various places, hut usually those were only 6creen pa- : j trols. No Sign of Cerman Tanks. /. "There is not yot any sign of Gorman tanks, although picked mon had been trained to operate them. The heaviest fighting has been on tho flanks of the battlefront. tho southern flank yielding most ground. Tho withdrawal in tho centre has heen very slow, and has been carried out in .'; most places under the necessity of maintaining a good line."—Renter. How tho Cerman Waves Attaoked. Mr. Hamilton Fyfe states that in-tho attacks the'first German wavo consisted roughly of 250 men with machine-guns marching shoulder to shoulder ■ with a steadiness bespeaking discipline, and moral. At an interval of a hundred yards came a similar wave. The next interval was from two to three hundred yards, and consisted of tho trench mortars battalion and staff. At a further interval followed the field artillery in open column forming into lino of batteries. Everywhere our machine-guns played havoc. _ Tho British describe the German gas shelling as tho heaviest of the war. Prisoners taken on some sectors state that battalions had thirty to fifty per cent! of casualties. The rankers were kept in complete ignorance of the date of the offensive. Officers were equally mistrusted and were given sealed i packets which they ■ were ordered to open at a certain hour.—United Service. COMMENTS OP NEW YORK NEWSPAPERS "OFFENSIVE NOT MET GERMANY'S EXPECTATIONS." (Rec. March' 25, 0.40 a.m.) New York, March 25. The newspapers, commenting on the offensivo, point out that the Allies were well prepared to resist and return Germany's heaviest blows. The "New York Times" says that whether tho Germans are making the final cast or not a great offensivo has begun. Unless tho Germans break through on a 'wide front quickly tho offensivo will be doomed to failure. The "Tribune" says the attack looks liko an endeavour to disrupt tho Allies] Supreme Council's plan for the coming campaign. So far the offensive certainly has not met Germany's expectations. The "New York World" says that, accepting the attack as the much-advertised offensive, the Allies will welcome rather than fear it. They prefer that the offensive should be made on tho West frout.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. STATEMENT BY A GERMAN PAPER "THE ATTACK WAS A COMPLETE SURPRISE:" London, March 24. The "Cologne Gazette's" war correspondent says that notwithstanding the extensive preparations, the attack was a complete surprise to the British. It was not expected so soon, and tho opposing artillery did not reply with the same vigour. After the first Hue was taken, the light artillery was taken forward, but tho mist prevented accurate _ shooting, making , tho capture of the second line difficult. I was only achieved after, desperato figliting, in which the English showed extraordinary bravery." Other German correspondents predict a great offensivo in Lorraine.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable \ Assn. I ■ BRITISH OPPOSED BY 97 DIVISIONS V (Rec. March 25, 8.40 p.m.) London, March 25. Ninety-seven German divisions hav been identified against the British, and others aro coming in. Thus, haHthe forces on the .Western front M» concentrating against tho British.—Router. ••■-,.'

Australians and new zealanders not engaged gallant stand by british troops. London, March 24. ;_ ..I'he. Australians and New Zealanders are not yet taking part in the titanic, struggle on the Cambrai-St. Quentin front, but, together with every other fighting unit on tho West front, they are ready to move at any moment into the thick of the conflict if necessary. • Saturday's news indicates that tho enemy's reckless attacks continue, but tho phrasing of the German ovening communique is significant in its remarks that "the first stage of the great battle is ended." Critics are divided in opinion as to whether the enemy will persist in his attacks at thjs point. Tbey boliove that the casualties already number over 200,000, but that only further stupendous sacrifices will enable the Germans to widen the gap in our forward system. Nothing has yet happened to cause real anxiety. If tho enemy continues to incur losses on tho same scale for any length of time ho will bring the war much nearer to an end. M. Clomenceau has expressed his satisfaction at the results thus for. French experts predict another Verduii, with tho same lack of success for the' Germans, and'..within a much shorter period. ■'.X Our-men'have.behaved with tho utmost gallantry and stubbornness. There-wore never,greater examples of cool courage against overwhelming odds. Tho machine-gunners continued mowing down swathes of the attackers until, they werepractically surrounded. The spirit of our troops is excellent. Many believe that this is the. commencement of tho last great battle, and that if they now sufficiently punish the enemy his morale will be such that he will be unlikely to attempt a serious attack again. The presence of German tanks is unconfirmed, and the enemy is rather relying on his artillery, which is mixing gas shells and high explosives. Our losses in prisoners are possibly considerable, but we have exacted an enormously heavy jtoll. The upshot of the impending battles is awaited with confidence.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

! £■*'■ SIR DOUGLAS . HAIG CONGRATULATES TROOPS. _ ' :: '■■ : • - ' ' . / _ London, March 24. The Press Bureau reports:—"Sir Douglas Haig on Thursday telegraphed to the Generals of the Third and Fift:, Armies, congratulating the troops on their splendid defence. He relies on their continued steadfastness nnd val- ■ our to crush this new attack and with it tho enemy's last hope of success." ' -—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GERMAN OFFICIAL'REPORTS. ' (Rec. March 25, 8.15 p.m.) ■:..'••. • ' London, March 24. A German official report stales:—"ln our victory near Monchy, Cambrai; St. Quentin, and La Fere the English Third and Fourth Armies and portions / of the Franco-American reserves were beaten,, and between Peronno and .■■' Ham and at Chauny were repulsed with the heaviest losses. General von ■Bulow stormed the Monchy Height, advanced beyond "Wancourt and Henin, and is now engaged in a fight to the north-west of Bapaume for tho third jencmy position. Strong English counter-attacks were repulsed. . 'General ,' von der Marwitz, following on the.heels of the vanquished enemy, advanced on Friday' night as far as the third enemy position in the Equancourt-Nurlu- ; Templeux-la-Fosse-Bernes. line. He renewed the attack on the enemy yesterday morning, defeating him, and despite a desperate dpfence and continual counter-attack, junctioned with General von Billow's left wing. We crossed the Tortille sector, and are now fighting around Bouchavesiies. General yon Hutier, having pierced the third enemy position on Friday, some divi- » sions traversed Peroune and advanced southward to the Somme. Ham fell after a desperate fight,' The English reserves thrown in against us sustained • > sanguinary losses. We have crossed the Crozat Canal. Tho Anglo-French--1 [American regiments brought up to counter-attack were thrown back on Cnauny and south-westward."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable- Assn.-Reuter. • A later report states:—"A gigantic struggle is proceeding for Bapaume. The battle is progressing on the Transloy-Combles-Maurepas line. We have crossed the Somme at many points between Pennine and Ham. Ale are pro- ' pressing between the Somme and the have captured Chauny. _ The booty is enormous. The English in retiring are burning towns and villages. . We bombarded Paris with long-distanco guns."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reu- . ter.. ' ' ■ . ; i , London, March 24. , A German official report claims the capture of Peronne. The number of prisoners claimed is increased to 30,000 and the number of guns to 600.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable'Assn. ■:'.•. THE-KAISER IN SUPREME COMMAND. ', /' _. London, March 24. A German communique emphasises the Kaiser's presence in supreme command of the attacking armies. Prince Rupprecht's army, it states, took 15,000 prisoners and the Crown Prince's army ( 10,000.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. v - ON THE FRENCH FRONT

ENEMY COUP DE MAIN BROKEN. ■..'•■■ v ' / London, March 24. A French communique states:—"There are artillery actions, sometimes Violent, south of the Oise, in. the region of Reims, in Lorraine, una between Lanacourt and the Vosges. An enemy coup de main at Hertzdach "Wood in Upper Alsace broke down under our fire."-r-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. . (Rec. March 25, 8.15 p.m.) London, March 24. A French communique states-.—"After a violent bombardment the enemy tnsuccessfuly attempted'a surprise attack south-of Jastincourt. Somewhat lively artillery-firing is proceeding in the region of the Bois-le-Petre, in the Vosges, and near La Fondnelle and Hartmannsweilerkopf."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. . - ,■ A later, communique states:—"There is intermittent- artillery activity north of the Chemin-des-Dames, and occasionally a violent duel in the Champagne, on the heights on the right bank of tho Meuse, between Caurieres .Wood and Bezonvaux, and at Hartmannsweilerkopf."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable 'Assn.-Reuter. ■ ■,

THE SHELLING OF PARIS (Rec. March 25, 8.15 p.m.) : ■ 1 Paris, March 24. The long-range German gun that is bombarding the city is situated twelve (kilometres miles). beyond the French lines and 120 kilometres (75 miles) 'from Paris. The Government has decided that public including the_ administrative services, trains and trams, shall proceed as usual. Gatherings are forbidden. To-day the bombardment is proceeding at eight-minute intervals.—Renter.

GERMANS' LONG-RANGE GUN LOCATED i ~■■'-■.■■■'. - \ ' London, March 24. „.->, ■'■ The German gun has been located in the St. Gobaifc Forest, 20 miles t,.'..'.: south of St. Quentin, and 60 miles north-east of Paris.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable lAssn / ' ,::-:PARIS:-OVER- SIXTY-TWO MILES FROM THE FRONT. Paris, March 24. The "Temps" states that Paris is over a hundred kilometres (nearly 62$ miles) from the nearest point of the front, There is no sign of panic— 'Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. BOMBARDMENT BY ENEMY AEROPLANES. , (Rec. March 25, 5.5 p.m.) •' ' London, March 24. A French official report states:—"Enemy aeroplanes crossed our lines at i 8.40 o'clock" last night and bombarded several localities behind the front, but i did riot cause much damage. The raiders failed to reach Paris."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.

DESTRUCTIVE RAIDS BY BRITISH AIRMEN \ MANY ENEMY MACHINES DESTROYED. London, March 24. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—"We brought down twenty-seven, and drove down twenty enemy machines. Eight ot ours are missing. Our night-fliers dropped fourteen tons of bombs on billets and dumps in areas where the enemy's attacking troops are concentrated. All our machines returned."— 'Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. (Rec. March 26, 0.10 a.m.) London, March 25. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "Fifty-four enemy aeroplanes were brought down on Saturday on the battlefront, Our night fliers all night bombed hostile concentrations, dumps, and large guns. Over fourteen tons 'of bombs were dropped, of -which 2i tons were dropped on Bruges. AH our machines re- " turned. Also ten heavy bombs were dropped on an important railway bridge and works at Konz, southward of Treves. Eight of these bombs burst among the railway works. Nearly two tons of bombs-were dropped from low attitudes on an aerodrome south of Metz. Six bombs burst among the hangars, which were set on fire. All the machines returned. Our aeroplanes yesterday mado a very successful raid on the factories at Mannheim, and nearly 2J tons of bombs were dropped. Bursts were seen on a soda factory, railway, and docks, and several fires were started,_ one being of a great size and visible for 35 miles. Thirty-two hostile- machines attacked the bombers. A fierce fight ensued. Wo brought down in flames an enemy machine. Another enemy machine was brought down in the centre of Mannheim. Wo also drove down five others. Despite the severe combat and heavy gunfire all tour machines returned except two."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.

CANADIANS LAUNCH A GAS ATTACK FOLLOWED BY AN INTENSE BARRAGE. , London, March 24. Tho Canadians have launched a gas attack in the neighbourhood of Lens. *-Aiis.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Rec. March 25, 5.30 p.m.) p. London, March' 24. Reuter's correspondent at Canadian Headquarters reports that the greatest gas bombaTdmont in the world's history was made by the Canadians on the night of March 22 against the enemy positions between Lens and Hill 70. They.released.sooo drums simultaneously from the outskirts of Lens. A favourable wind carried the gas to the enemy supports and reserves in the assembly areas. Nine minutes later the Canadian guns opened a. forty (fcioutflß' bombardment with.an intensive creeping barrage—Router.