THE BIG OFFENSIVE.

Taihape Daily Times, 27 March 1918, Page 5

THE BIG OFFENSIVE.

blackest shadows beginning

TO LIFT.

LONDON, March. 25. Mr. Philip Gibbs telegraphs: “It seems certain now that our armies are able to control the situation within the limits of safety, though our losses are inevitably severe, and the situation required all our abilities, strategy, and generalship. Our armies are holding good lines, and the blackest shadows are beginning to lift. The deather is hot and brilliant. I saw poilus ready for action to the southward, magnificent-looking men, hard, bronzed, and in the best of spirits. An officer said: ‘We shall biff the Germans as on the Marne,’ The poilus were delighted with the calm and cheerful* way the Britishers behaved i n the crisis. BATTLE CONTINUES. BAPATJME LINE HOLDING. LONDON, March 25. , General Sir Douglas Haig reports; \ Y'The battle continues with great vio- \, along the whole front. We heavrepulsed powerful attacks yestermorning, and last evening northward of Bapaume. The Germans only /at one point rr/ffshed our trenches, whence they were immediately thrown out. Our fire stopped attacks elsewhere before our positions, the enemy being driven back with great, loss. Freh hostile attacks developed last night and this morning in the neighbourhood also southward of Bapaume. Our CQUntcr-attacks saouthward of Pernne drove back enemy parties who hud crossed the river between Licourt and Brie.” GERMANS AT DISADVANTAGE. OWING TO RAPID BRITISH WITHDRAWAL. Received 8.40. NEW YORK, March 26. The “Tribune’s” London correspondent interviewed a high authority, who said the rapid British withdrawal had placed the Germans at a disadvantage, compelling them to march beyond their supplies. He expected a British-French counter drive in another sector.

The New York Times characterises present battle as the greatest oi the war. The Germans were indiffer ent to the sacrifice of life, but we an confident the British will check the drive and successfully counter-attack, OFFENSIVE OVER 45-MILE FRONT HEAVY GERMAN LOSSES. Received 8.40, WASHINGTON, March 26. Official advices from Paris state the offensive is continuing between Croiselles and Tergnier, the Germans using nine divisions. Their losses are of the heaviest. The British resistance is efficient. : J The Germans claim American are being used to reinforce the British. GERMAN attack died down. ALLDSS PREPARING THEIR COUNTER-BLOW. Received 8.40. LONDON, March 26. WFlghting on the British front has Wiled down. The British are in new j\sitions east of Albert and Roye. We German attacks are slackening. T%e Allies are preparing a counterblow.

FRENCH PREMIER’S MESSAGE TO

AIVTERICA.

Received 9.15.

WASHINGTON, March 20,

M. Clemenceau has cabled to the French Embassy here: —The 'Allies are absolutely confident. We shall not shath the sword until we have enacted full and complete reparation from Germany.

ON THE LENS SECTOR.

Received 9.10

PARIS, March 26

The Comedians have used 6000 drams of lethal gas in an attack near Lens, causing heavy German casualties.

CONGRATULATION FTtdvT AMERICA.

Received 9.15.

WASHINGTON, March 26.

President Wilson cables to Sir D. Haig:—“l wish to express warm admiration at the steadfastness and valour with which the British troops withstood the Gemran assault, and the perfect confidence which ail Americans feel that you will win a secure and final victory.”

DRAMATIC DEVELOPMENTS EXPECTED-

HEAVY FIGHTING ON FRENCH

FRONT.

Received 9.15.

LONDON, March 26

Dramatic developments are expected hourly in France. Heavy fighting is proceeding on the French front. The French have evacuated Noyon.

THE LONG RANGE GUN.

SOME SPECULATION.

Received 8.50.

LONDON, March 26.

Experts discredit tne theory that the shells wecre dropped on Paris from aeroplanes, or that the projectile burst after travelling a certain distance, propelling an internal projectile. It is believed the shell is of 3801bs, with a muzzle velocity of 40 feet, and would be most inaccurate In direction. The gun would be very short-lived and less harmful than aeroplane bombh. It was intended merely to secure a moral effect. Artillery experts profess to understand the stunt; there is no suggestion of any new explosive.

FRENCH RENDER VALUABLE AS-

SISTANCE.

Received 8.50,

LONDON, March 26.

The French gave most valuable assistance in the battle at a critical period on Saturday and Sunday.

LARGE FORCE HELD FOR COUN-

TER-OFFENSIVE.

Received 9710.

WASHINGTON, March 26.

British officials state that Sir D. Haig is using only 27 divisions against the German’s 97. Haig is holding alarge force for a counter-offen-sive.

HOW THE GERMANS ADVANCE.

Received 10 a.m

LONDON, March 26.

A United Press correspondent states that Hiudenhurg is playing a leap-frog game with his hordes, driving forward, perhaps thirty divisions or more in thick masses until exhausted. Then he another similar

force through the first until these are spent, whereupon the first troops, somewhat refreshed, pass through the second division. These are too badly mauled to continue fighting, and fresh reserve divisions are then substituted. The methods are little changed from tactics of the Marne. The Tommies are sticking to positions frequently to the last man. Then the lines fall back in good order, fighting every step. German prisoners include reserves from Flanders, Laon, Rheims, and Verdun. The Kaiser is unsparing of the lives of his men, putting all into the melting pot. PRESENT ATTACK ONLY A LINK IN GREATER OFFENSIVE. Received 10. a.m. COPENHAGEN, March 26. The Austrian, General Auffenburg, interviewed, said the attack against the British was only a link in a greater offensive. A long time must elapse before the final result. Victory depends on the use of reserves and supplies, which on both sides are colossal. Most violent fighting will ultimately occur in the rear. Italy also will be importantly engaged.

GERMANS JUBILATING.

HINDENBURG DECORATED

Received 10 a.m

AMSTERDAM, March 26. Kaiser has ordered flags ‘ttT’be hoisted for joy and guns fired in Germany to-day in celebration of the socalled victory. A holiday has been given to schools. Hindenburg has been awarded the Iron Cross witn gold rays, hitherto only awarded to Blucher after Waterloo. The KaiSer and Hindenburg visited Peronne on Sunday.