ON THE WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 24 March 1917, Page 5

ON THE WESTERN FRONT.

THE GERMAN RETREAT. -A TRAIL OF WANTON DESTRUGTEUCTION. Received 10.30. NEW YORK, March 23. The New York Times' London correspondent interviewed General Maurice, who said the Germans blew up every important cross-road in their retreat, and wrought diabolical havoc with buildings and public works. The wanton destruction is not a military precaution, and did not stop the British advance. It means that the Germans lave threatened to destroy every portion of France in their hands if compelled to continue their netreat. The present .retirement did not surprise the British, but it is impossible to say where the Germans will make a stand.

GERMANS PRESS ON THE WITHDRAWAL. RETREAT DESCRIBED AS VICTORY LONDON, March 22. The “Daily Telegraph V’ Rotterdam correspondent says: German newspapers are taking great pains to prove that the retreat means victory. All correspondentSßat the front suggest that the object is allied with plans for an offensvie. Major Moraht’s latest argument is that ~*ra‘ose not understanding strategy must have full confidence in Hindenburg, whil e those undenstanding strategy will appreciate what is happening. The “Koelnische Zeitung” rejoices that Germany has created a zone where -every facility necessary for the Allies . is non- existent. The “ Lokal Anzeiger ’ ’ says the withdrawal has revealed new positions behind in country whereof we know every inch and the enemy knows nothing. The great Anglo-French Spring offensive is reduced to nothing, and the enemy has lost the new Somme battle before it was fought. .Germany, by a stroke of genius, retains full freedom of decision and movement. GERMAN COMMUNIQUE. LONDON, March 23. Admiralty per wireless. —A German official message says: Prince Frederick Carl of Prussia, flew over the enemy lines between Arras and Pcronne, and has not returned. We penetrated four kilometres on a front eastward of Lida and destroyed defences.

FRENCH FIGHTING WELL. W GERMANS SUFFER HEAVILY. LONDON, March. 23. A French communique states: —In. the region of St. Quentin there were patrol skirmishes north of Dollon, between the Somme and the Oise. The enemy attempted violent counterattacks to dislodge us from the east hank of the St. Quentin Canal. Successive enemy attacks on the front from Clastres to Montecourt were broken, our machine-gun fine inflicting heavy losses on the Germans. There was equally violent fighting west of La Fere, which terminated in the complete defeat of the enemy. South of the Oise our detachments crossed the Ailette at some points. The Germans north of the Aisne renewed attempts between Laon Road and the riven. Three attacks on the Vregny-Chivers line were stopped by our barage fire.' Our artillery in the region south of the Aisne enfiladed the Germans, in flicting very heavy losses. There is fairly heavy artillery fighting in the Woevre. An enemy attempt on Romainville farm, near St. Mihiel,. failed. Reports are continuing to pour in of vandalism in the evacuated Janef Fleck, commander of the Seven- > teenth 'Army Corps, carried off the furniture of the house in which he resided at Ham.

MAKING A STAND. LONDON, March 23. Sir Douglas Haig reports: The enemy's resistance is increasing on the whole front westward of St. Quentin to southward of Arras. /Heavy snowstorms impede our advance. BRITISH ADVANCE REACHES TWENTY MILES. TROOPS ANXIOUS TO RUSH FORWARD. LONDON, March 23. The “Morning Post’s’’ Headquarters correspondent says thenc is open warfare. Cavalry skirmishes and occasional encounters with German cyclist patrols are still a feature of the British advance. German rearguard resistance is curiously irregular varying from stubborn opposition by entrenched infantry east of Bapaume to mere glimpses of isolated detachments moving among trees and villages west of St. Quentini Although we are driving in the rearguards we have not yet obtained contact with the main armies. The German Guards and machine-gunners still hold the Beugny-Ypres position astride the Carabrai road,, but this consists of isolated entrenchments. As the enemy screen continues southwards, it is becoming thinner and more flexible, inviting increased pressure.

Nowhere is the British advance more cautious than east of the Somme, where, however, they have reached Bavy (close to Bt. Quentin), representing an advance of twenty miles. After their long confinement in trenches, the temptation to rush pell mcll through fields and over hard roads is almost irresistible. The troops wanted at least to got within hearing distance of the guns, but there has mostly been a steady movement. A large portion of the advance fails on cavalry patrols and cyclist scouts, who are far ahead scouring the woodland and gullies. The infantry and guns go forward steadily along mended roads.