Germans Driven Across Somme.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 26 March 1918, Page 3

Germans Driven Across Somme.

British Valour Prevails. COLOSSAL STRUGGLE IN PROGRESS. [electric telegraph—COPYßlGHT.] [pKR PUKSS ASSOCIATION.! Received this day at 8.45. London, March 25. The British have driven the Germans back across the Somme in the Licourt neighbourhood, cleariug the light bank of the river. The British are fiercely engaged at Ham and Nesle. The French are fighting- north of Bapaume. ENORMOUS GERMAN LOSSES. PERONNE STILL BRITISH. Received this day at 8.45. London, March 25. A tremendous struggle is proceeding in the defence of Bapaume. The Germans launched fresh attacks north and south of the town. Their loses are enormous. Peronne is still in British hands. The British are fiercely attacking between Nesle, and Ham. The French are heavily engaged at Noyon on the right bank of the Olse. The long-range bombardment of Paris was resumed but was interrupted after the second shot. - INTENSE ANXIETY IN ENGLAND . DISASTROUS GERMAN LOSSES. Received this day at 8.45. London, March 25. Palm Sunday in Britain was a clay of intens& anxiety. Special prayers were offered in the churches for the success of the Allied arms. A special litany was read in many churches. By evening it was evident that the news had the deepest significance, but the public were cheered by the announcement that Sir Douglas Hnig aud the British General Headtniarters had full confidence. War experts point out that two British armies have been driven back bv an overwhelming mass, but if 150,000 to 200.000 Ger- I mans Eav fallen, as is likely, it is not a German victory but _ a disaster, since tliey have sustained a loss of from eifflit to ten per e°nt of +heir effectives "nth out seriously lowering the Allies' efficiency. GERMANS WANT BREATHING TIME. WHAT THE EXPERTS THINK.

Received this day at * London, March. 2a. Even if tlie German claim of : true it does not justify despond" . ency on our part or jubilation on the part of tlie enemy. \\ edo . not liear of any division being cut ojj All accounts suggest that the • Germans are bleeding at then main arteries. The Kaiser has apparently announced the end oi the first stage of the battle because the Germans want breathing time. Hilaire Belloc expresses the opinion that the German infantry losses are the cause of the hesita tion apparent in Saturday s lighting. The Prussian system demands very heavy losses at the outset and they work upon sucli losses, but everything depends on their relation to the results obtaLord Sydenham points out that the German, object is to cut on the British from the Irencli. Hence the heaviest attack is on the right. Such a gigantic ettort entailing immense loss cannot be prolonged" for many dsiys. . Other experts similarly insist that Hindenburg's and Ludenr dorff's ambitious strategy is seek ing to separate the defences the Channel ports irora tlie deft n ces of Paris. If this were attained it would justify the big Grei man losses, but the resources of the Allies might be able to fru= trate the scheme. If the enemy secured Bapaume there would In. the formidable Pozieres ridge be hind it. Before tkit is German losses will cause Hindenburg disquietude. The fightinff wind oanc wood recalls BeUnllo 1916 where the South Africans and Scots were also fighting. ' lie Germans acrain and nsrain managed to reach the borders of the woods, but were always thrust bark. . , ... Tlie chief disappointment is m the withdrawal from _ wliieh was the birr nnze the battle of Arras.. Otherwise the lin* in th north, is well maintained. AMT/UTO A'S m^GPATTTLA—Tioisrs. Received this dav at 8.40. "Washington, March 25. President Wilson has cabled to Sir Douglas Haig concvatulating the British army on the heroic stand against the Germans and assuring him of the confidence of America.