AN OFFENSIVE ON THE MEUSE?

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 172, 10 April 1918, Page 5

AN OFFENSIVE ON THE MEUSE?

ATTACK ON HILL 344 NO INDICATION. Paris, 'April 8. Semi-official.—"There is no reason to regard the German attack at Hill 344 yesterday as indicating a forthcoming offensive. In this sector the great mass of the German reserves is still moving towards Amiens, which is still the goal of the German High Command, though it has momentarily been forced to interrupt the forward movement owing to the exhaustion and heavy losses of its troops."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ONE OF THE LONG-RANGE MONSTERS OUT OF ACTION. Paris, April 8. Official.—"The bursting of one of the long-range guns which was bombarding Paris is confirmed by information from a sure source. It occurred on March 25. An officer and nino or ten men were killed. The bombardment was continued yesterday, but there were no victims."—Renter. THE TOWER IN THE FOREST. Paris, April 8. . The "Petit Parisien" says the Germans will doubtless glorify General Boekm-Ermolli, who occupied the Tower of Coucy in the forest, from which the French withdrawal was almost inevitable. The withdrawal was accomplished voluntarily, and practically without cost, and distinctly improved the situation.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE CAVALRY'S SHARE IN THE BATTLE SPLENDID DASH AND TALOUR DISPLAYED. London, April 8. M. Perry Robinson writes:—"ln spite of the terrible testing time, and the inevitable losses during the past fortnight, the cavalry units rejoice that their arm lias at last had a chance to do its share. It certainly did it. First it was engaged as infantry, and thereafter split into sections, serving in tho thick of the- battle as cavalry dismounted, splendidly covering the infantry retreat abotit the Oise, at Pontoiso, Noyon, and elsewhere. The Scots Greys wero once entirely out off, and spent a whole night mixed up with the Germans. They escaped in the morning. On another occasion, during a mist, a Divisional Headquarters found itself four times under machine-gun fire. The cavalry made a magnificent charge on the Querkourt Ridgo at midnight on March 25, and pushed tho enemy off the highest ground, and then thrust north and surrounded Suzoy village. Later in the day, with the assistance of Canadians, they appeared in a fair way to occupy the wholo ridge, when, in accordance with n pro-arrangement, the infantry retired, and the cavalry held on, covering the retreat. The Germans attempted an outflanking movement, but the Lancers, Hussars, and Canadians fought wildly and splendidly till thev were in position at Divette. Cavalry units, whilo holding tho Femers-Plainville-Broyes line on March 29, wero ordered to help to cover the approaches to Amiens. They put the enemy out of Morouil Wood, and then followed somo of the hardest fighting sinco the offensive began, in which the Canadians finely charged clean through tho wood, and took up a firm position on the Moreuil-Demuin Road. They killed great numbers of the enemy. Simultaneously the Dragoons and Lancers wore sent to head off tin attack on Marcelcave. Here they co-operated with tho Australians. Afterwards the commander of the Australians addressed a charming letter to the cavalry commander, praising the magnificent behaviour of the men, and stating that it was the Australians' pride and delight to fight with them. Twelve hundred Dragoons had a really gorgeous fight at Haugard on March 31. An officer described their eager going off as 'like scalded cats.' Three waves of cavalry dashed through the wood, and caused tromendous havoc among fresh Gorman battalions. They took many prisoners, and captured machine-guns. Seeing a whole reserve regiment of the enemy pouring out of Villers-aux-Erables, the cavalry and artillery attacked in the daylight in open ground. One battery fired fifteen hundred rounds, and another over two thousand, all finding their marks. They staggered and disorganised the enemy, a romnant of which straggled hack, leaving the ground covered with dead." —"The Tinios." THE FIFTH ARMY'S RETREAT FROM ST. QUENTIN (Rec. April 9, 7.15 p.m.) London, April 8. Tho "Daily News" states (as was previously cabled) that the Government has decided that an inquiry will he. held into the circumstances connected with the Fifth Army's retreat from the St. Queutin front.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. STAGGERING LOSSES IN GERMAN RANKS London, April 8. Mr. Perry Robinson states that a German authority from the Ifront puts Germany's total losses at 250,000. He states that the French made a rampart, of German bodies as high as a man.—"The Times." DISCUSSION OF LOSSES FORBIDDEN IN GERMANY. Zurich, April 8. German newspapers serni-officiallv issue a warning that severe penalties will be imposed on anyone spreading alarmist rumours regarding the Army's losses on the West front.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BRUSSELS A VAST GERMAN HOSPITAL (Rec. April 9, 7.15 p.m.) Amsterdam, April 8. Reports from the frontier state that the whole of Brussels is converted into a large hospital. German wounded, by trainloads, are arriving every hour, while scores of trains, laden with corpses, have passed through Antwerp for Germany. Nobody is permitted in the vicinity of the stations while these gruesome caravans are passing.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE GERMAN TANKS IN ACTION London, April 8. The "Morning Post" representative on the French front gives interests ing details of the German tanks used in the present offensive. The Germans have modified tho construction of the tanks after experience with those used by the British. They have greatly increased their speed, and have tanks capable of covering five miles an hour over broken ground. The tanks advance in formations of five, moving in zig-zag fashion. Special tank schools have been formed in Germany, in vast manoeuvre grounds. The tanks are torpedo shaped and weigh ten tons. They are eight yards long, by three yards wide, and two and a half yards high, and are able to turn easily. They are completely protected by armour, and the loopholes can be made impermeable to gas. The tanks are fitted with a 5.5 in. rapid-firing gun, are furnished with a periscope, and also fire gas-shells. The tank has also four machine-guns, and a flame-thrower for use in case of obstinate resistance. The flame, which can be projected sixty yards, is produced by a mixture of tar and carbolineum, which is sent out by oxygen under pressure. The motor has eight cylinders, and is of 250 h.p. The personnel consists of two drivers, two gunners, four machine-gunners, and two reserves, under the orders of a junior engineer officer. The clothing of the entire crew is fire-proof.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.