WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 23 March 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

GERMAN OFFENSIVE BEGINS,

LONDON, March 21.

The German offensive on" the West front has begun.

GERMANS ADVANCING.

AMSTEEDAM,-March 21. Marghiloman has been appointed Premier of Rotrmania," .".' " ,[ .. It is reported that the Cabinet is strongly pro-German. ...•., • ■ . ■ ax a :-.y.rsi\ .■• ;:\ ; -,.;l

HARD FlGliffiNG REPORTED. "'

LONDON, March 21

Picked storm, •-'troops were hurried against the British right flank, thick waves following a smoke barrage,'. There was hard fighting at Bullecourt, Eoussy, Vaucilette Farm, and Lagnicourt, machine-guns and artillery cutting swathes in the enemy's ranks^

On the British, front, the Germans: are reported to be advancing at several points west of Cambrai. German infantry attacked neighbourhood of Lagincourt.. , Mr. Bonar Law, in the House of Commons, said that a German infantry attack was launched this morning from the Scarpe to the Oise, over fifty miles. The result thus far has not been reported.

SOME BRITISH OUTPOSTS WITHDRAWN.

LONDON, March 21.

Mr. Bonar Law said the German, attacks were on a larger scale than any thus far made. Our outposts were withdrawn at any part of the line which was very lightly held. This was in accordance" with expectations and instructions. There was nothing in the nature of a surprise. The attack was launched on the very part of the line ( that 'the War Office and Versailles Council expected it.

ENEMY GAIN "SOME GROUND.

<'WE" f SHALL 'BIT ABLE' TO'MEET

.xaJ 5- i(^in; TH:E v t:ir ' Vj J[

Mod •:>•// " : i^r;"ißonar' f La^ o T predicted D tfiat J 'the 9 attacking party 'was sure' to'g'ain el'certkln 1 amount ;5 ,: of ground. TEe ! 'information' tjhdsfar does not suggest that : anything' beyond' that happened. The HOtfsW and the* country will not be. alarmed. Generals three days jago informed. the Cabinet that an attack was coming. We stall be able to meet it. (Cheers,) The House, adjourned. , ""..

<Zs&i jsjU ban akkirjogan 01& mkwx •tri r -I :;.•: Pcrciy.al. Phillips, says s thje .Ger ; - indention .apparently is to pinch aysiice of the Hindenburg Line which we captured, in November by double attacks, ono operating in the triangle of the Arras-Cambrai and Bapaume-Cambrai xoads, the other westward of the Scheldt Canal, hoping to clink the jaws of gigantic pincers.. Mr. Gibbs confirms that the chief German attack is directed against Bulleeourt, Lagnicourt and Norsui].

THE ENEMY'S HEAVY LOSSES

Received 9,40.

LONDON, March 22.

Sir D. Haig's Teport states that fighting continued late last night, on the whole fron from the river Oise to the River Sensee. Our troops continue to hold the enemy in their battle positons during yesterday's attacks. The enemy's massed infantry offered splendid targets to our Mfles, machine guns, and artillery, of which we took full advantage. All reports testify to the enemy's exceedingly heavy losses. No serious attack has yet developed this morning, but heavy fighting must still be expected.

ENEMY ATTACKS REPULSED.

Received 8.50.

LONDON, March 22.

A French communique states that during the day reciprocal artillery activity was very violent between Muette, in the Aisne sector, Eheims, heights of Champagne and Ville Surteaux. Three successive actions in the Marlus Sector broke down under our fire. Eaiding attempts east of Suippo wero completely defeated. Our artillery caught and dispersed some German columns which were advancing on our right and on some points in Woevre. The enemy intensely bombarded our first lines.

GERMAN OFFENSIVE FAILED.

Eeeeived 9.40.

LONDON, March 22 The German offensive has failed badly.

OFFENSIVE HELD AT ALL POINTS ADVANCING WAVES BROKEN. BITTER HAND-TO-HAND FIGHTING Received 10.10. , .• V LONDON March .22. : Hindenburg has apparently launched his long-heralded offensive following a short, long-distance bombardment, on a forty-five mile front. The enemy's high velocity guns opened on towns far behind our lines. As the began the British met the first rush wih customary coolness, bobbing up after of gas shells and high explosives passed, during which gas masks were adjusted. Machinegjins? werfe turned on the advancing German; waves, and hand-to-hand fighting was frequent. Troops holding strong points were fighting it out with knives and bayonets. There were stupendous German preparations prior to the attack, carried out with the utmost secrecy. General Haig, however, knew what was happening, as our airmen reported every new dump, happenings on railway lines andi strategic roads, and aerodromes as soon as commenced, and our precautions were taken accordingly. If this be the loudly-advertised drive, and it comes acording to specification, our official men are confident. The situation is necessarily vague when fighting on such a wide front takes place. Some, hours,\ probably days, may elapse before the enemy's true intentions are divined.

ENEMY DRIVEN OUT OF POSITION

Received 9.40

LONDON, March 22.

British infantry, accompanied by tanks, drove the enemy out of Doignies

AERfAL ACTIVITY.

BRITISH SUPERIORITY.

LONDON, March 21.

The Press Bureau reports: Excluding raids on Germany, .British and Australian:.airman, jfln ffeherWest front in February,propped- : 539,0 ;bombs ; ,in the i;dayJiimeT.and: ; ; 3553,. at ■■ The ; en!emy>: dropped-, 28 <bpmb& in-;the daytime bon areas-occupied o;bjfc..the British, and 1768. at nighttime,.; :;n; - v n

ENEMY* INTENSE AT^Acis!

SOME OUTPOSTS PENETRATED

ENEMY.OBJECTIVES NOT ATTAINED.

Received 10:45,

• ' ; - :,; ; LNDON; li Mareh 22/v ' Earlier reports state ■' th£ enemy- 'is Advancing at several poults between fit. 4 : §uentin- : arid & • Afancy, 'pene't'tated v s6me''pdints^o'f;'the 'first tMd fem&feij. l; arttf ; (hbVth l r 6f J Lagnjt-Sourt^-Wd 3 Louvre; Subsequent reports stated the r 'enemy' is :i advancing''over the St. Qtieiitin ; ridgej funning north . and south on the "edge of the Cambrai salient, also through Vauche Wood on the same sector, and the brickfields near Croiselles and Urvillers, and the approaches were heavily shelled. The latest report states there is a bombardment south of the Scarpe to below St. Quentin Sir D. Haig reports that about 3 a.m in the morning, after an intense bombardment of- gas shells and high explosives on forward positions and back areas the enemy launched powerful infantry attacks on a front of over 50 miles between the Oise river near Lafere and Sensee river, near Croiselles. Hostile artillery activity is shown on a wide} front north of La Bassee Canal, and Ypres' sector. It 'has been known for some time past that an attack was being prepared, and the enemy has pressed the attacks with great vigor and determination all day long. They broke through the outposts in some positions and penetrated during battle certain parts. The enemy attacked in masses and his losses are exceptionally heavy. Severe fighting continues on the whole front. Large numbers of reinforcements have been observed behind the enemy's lines, several divisions of which have been specially trained for the great attack. Prisoners and maps captured show 'tlhe jenemy's iint)ense earnestness, and further show they are I not attaining their objectives on any I part of the front. GERMAN AND BELGIAN REPORTS Received 11.45. LONDON, March 22. German official: We penetrated a portion of the English positions between Cambrai and Lafre.

A Belgian communique states that lively artillery activity took place yesterday.

Durng the naval engagement last night off Dunkirk, the enemy vessels bombarded our coast towards Lapar A violent bombardment of poisongas shells against our batteries on the whole front lasted throughout today.