GENERAL HAIG’S REPORTS. STILL SERIOUS FIGHTING. NO ABATEMENT IN ATTACK.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1918, Page 2

GENERAL HAIG’S REPORTS. STILL SERIOUS FIGHTING. NO ABATEMENT IN ATTACK.

• LONDON, March 27. General Haig reports the fighting died down during the niglit. Our troops have established themselves in new positions eastward of Roye and Albert. The continuance of fighting northward of Somme is expected, but it has not yet developed. Attacks are reported to be developing this morning against the Anglo-French southward of Somme, and in the neighbourhood of Roye and Chaulnes. The enemy’s losses continue to he severe. He has been obliged to reinforce his present battle front from all parts of the western theatre. Over seventy hostile divisions have now heen engaged in the battle.

AIR. ACTIVITY. MUCH DAMAGE DONE. LONDON, March 27

Marshal Haig reports our aeroplanes ou Monday were almost exclusively employed in bombing and gunning the marching enemy troops, and transport behind the battle front. Twenty-two

tons ofi bombs were dropped, and hundreds of thousands of rounds were fired from machine guns. All the pilots report that the ground targets surpassed description. They were able to drop bombs accurately and fire into the eehtre of infantry battalions in close formation, column, and also at the cavalry and transport.

The air fightnng lias been less intense than in the previous day. i We downed 13 enemy machines, while ten others were rendered uncontrollaihle. Eight of our machines are • missing, this being mostly due from the ground, while flying low. During the night we continued to bomb and machine gun troops in forward areas, and the transport upon tiie roads.

MESSAGE to the army. fAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION] LONDON, March 2-7. General Haig, in a message to th 0 Army, dated prior to Sunday’s attacks, says the crisis of the war is now reached. The Germans are trying to destroy the British Armies, concentrating every division for such purpose. France is sending troops as quickly as possible to the British support. OFFICIAL NEWS. WELLINGTON, This Day. Tho High Commissioner reports:— London on the 27th at 12.40 p.m.: Sir Douglas Haig reports the battle is continuing on the whole front south of the Somme.