WAR NEWS.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 28 March 1918, Page 3

WAR NEWS.

MONDAY.

German Onslaught—Massed Attacks at Awful Cost—British Holding New Line — Paris Shelled at Long Rango. The latest report from Sir Douglas Haig states the enemy's attacks were renewed in great strength on Friday morning on practically the whole front. » Reports everywhere show the enemy to have lost very heavily in men. During the afternoon < ,th.c overwhelming weight thrown against it broke the British defensive system west of St.Quentin A retirement was effected in good order to prepared positions further west.

An official report states that

the suburbs of Paris have been bombarded from long range with shells of 13,35 calibre. It is unofficially stated that these shells travelled 60 miles.

It is briefly reported from London that the French army is now engaged along a wide front. Widespread artillery activity is reported. Several enemy assaults upon the trenches were repulsed.

TUESDAY

Homeric Fighting—lncreasing Resistance—Terrific German Losses —British on New Line—Heavy Gas Attack at Lens—Paris again Bombarded.

A despatch from Router's correspondent, which apparently gives the latest survey of the western battle,describes the situation on Sunday evening. He states that the British are holding the enemy virtually on the whole front, although the Germans are pressing attacks very heavily.

All accounts of the fighting emphasise the terrific losses inflicted on the enemy by the British forces. It is estimated that 97 German divisions have already been engaged, and it is estimated that half the German strength in the west is concentrated against the British. At some points the enemy divisions have lost upwards of 40 per cent of their effectives.

The Canadians on Friday night delivered the greatest gas attack of history against enemy positions between Lens and Hill 70. Five thousand drums were released simultaneously, and carried by a favourable wind, the gas saturated the enemy positions.

The long range bombardment of Paris was resumed, the gun firing at eight minute intervals. The range is now said to be over 75 miles, one report stating that the gun has been located in the Forest of St. Gobain, three miles south of La Fere.

WEDNESDAY

Battle Still Raging—Evacuation of Bapaume — Enemy Losses Prodigious—Heavy Pressure in South.

After heavy fighting, in which the Germans suffered heavy losses, the British have retired voluntarily from Bapaume to defensive positions further west. The struggle on the Somme, south of Peronne, has been intense, and the German losses are described as prodigious.

Sir Douglas Haig's latest report states that the battle continues with the utmost violence. A series of powerful attacks were thrown back, and south of Peronne the enemy has been thrust back across the Somme. A London message sftfces that the villages of Nestle alid Guiscard, south of Peronne, have been captured by the Germans.

A communique from Paris states that French troops intervened in the offensive on Saturday, relieving a portion of the British forces. French forces are now fighting- at Noyon, 16 miles south-west of La Fere.

The long-range bombardment ot Paris was resumed on Monday but was interrupted after the second shot.

THURSDAY

Strong Resistance—Northern Advance Held—Race Against Time In South—Roye and Noyon Evacuated—Stubborn French DefenceAllied Supremacy in Air,

Reports from the western front st^P^that-allied resistance is increasing, and the German advance slowing down, Correspondents suggest an early development of counter measures. One message states that the northern advance has been held and that in the southern sector it is clearly a race against time.

The War Office announces that the Germans captured Roye, 16 miles south-west of Peronne.

A French communique states that Noyon was evacuated in a most orderly fashion. A stubborn defence continues On the northern bank of the Oise.

British airmen in four days' fighting brought 300 enemy machines.