Somme Number Two.

Taihape Daily Times, 27 March 1918, Page 5

Somme Number Two.

SPLENDID STAND BY BRITISH TROOPS.

FIGHTING NORTH OF ARRAS.

Received 10.15.

LONDON, March 26

Mr. Perceval Phillips writes:—The second battle of the Somme is being fought in the open across dead country, converted into hills and valleys by three years’ trench warfare. The struggle which may decide the fate of nations, has raged for five days and nights. By .sheer weight of numbers the Germans are trying to overwhelm., us. Nowhere have they succeeded. They have 'gone forward slowly,--but the aim of their Emperor is still unachieved. The' situation is exacting and serious, but not so critical that the fate of the British arnifim hangs in the balance. The stand made ‘by our troops everywhere .is splendid. They are resisting fresh corps and divisions. They have only given ground when' outnumbereS hy three or even six to one. The lines which have momentarily broken have been re-established by counter-attacks of handfuls of Britons, who have dammed the flood and pushed it back, for it is nothing but a tidal wave whicn the Germans have loosed in a desperate gamble. Germans, on Sunday night, attacked north of Bapaume, and constant fighting occurs at Arras Road, where the enemy has disclosed fresh shock formations. At dawn they renewed their blows on both sides of Bapaume.

THRILLING BATTLE DETAILS,

THE GERMANS THROWN BACK

Received 9.10,

LONDON, March 26

Mr. Phillip Gibbs writes that the enemy on Sunday continued his efforts to advance seeking to cross the Somme south of Peronne, and break a way through the defence or Bapaume. He flung pontoon bridges and rafts across the Somme. Our field artillery, firing at short range, smashed many bridges and killed the engineers. The infantry in a gallant counter-attack flung the Germans back at several points, but elsewhere the enemy held the crossing long enough to put over some forces. Two fresh German divisions attacked on Monday morning south of Peronne We were heavily engaged holding them back with the most resolute spirit. Fighting here since the 21st has been a continuous battle. Divisions holding the battle line from Gouzeaucourt to Massemy have shown magnificent powers of endurance and defence, and at Gouzeaucourt, only yielded ground under pressure of overwhelming numbers and great gunfire.

Haig specially praises the Twentyfifth Division for defence hero. a small body of Queens fought to the last refusing to retire when surrounded, and working the machine-guns until put out of action. The 'Lancashires a thousand in number, were nearly equally as brave. The 24th division withstood the assault of seven German

divisions. This continued to press the 24ths until they fell back from the front line systems, fighting every inch of the way, '<■ uh little battles in the woods and ruined caalcau, such as Grandprie Wood, Cauvricrcs Chateau, Ferccque rarm west of Hargieourt. The enemy has thus gained Tompleaux Guirand and secured the high ground with observations, and fought forward through the village of Ervillcrs. There was a bloody struggle in some old chalk quarries, where many German dead are now' lying. When the enemy came on some distance some of our men dashed in shattered his battery with machine-guns. Tanks manoeuvred about firing continuously on each flank, causing terror amongst the foremost assault troops. Our men fell back to the Somme only when new masses of Germans passed through the battalion, which we had beaten. The British artiliery and heavy guns were handled with marvellous discipline throughout the trying hours of untenable positions. The gunners hour after hour fired into the ranks of grey men, who came forward ceaselessly like a living tide, regardless of loss of life. Some of our guns were necessarily abandoned but many were withdrawn to the Somme,', the gnn--1 ners showing wonderful skill and courage in making a passage. They went into action again like batteries manoeuvring at a military tournament. The Gormans were so exhausted that on Saturday morning hey made no further effort on some parts of the line until he could get sleep and await fresh rations. Our men were reinforced on Saturday and Sunday and given some relief, though many, despite weariness put up a most gallant fight 1 against the enemy coming on again in an unending onslaught. Some enemy cavalry were seen on Sunday and Monday, small bodies acting as scouts. Our own cavalry patrols met them and turned them back in the neighbourhood of Ham and on the edge of the old Somme battlefields. The French infantry arc also fighting shoulder to shoulder with our men, giving most gallant help. It is impossible to overpraise the way tho Britishers were tried to the utmost limits of human endurance. Our army is now dirty, unshaven and tired, who snatch a halfhouf’s sleep in any pauses of the fighting. Then the rifles and machine guns are ready fbr another go. It is thrilling to know wc are fighting on old time battlefields. Nature has filled the deserted trenches’ with grass and wild-flowers which are also growing in old shell-craters. We came upon little cemeteries where sleep our dead—the well remembered dead. Now the tide of battle has flowed back. The new scenes arc, of the old fashioned kind, recalling ■ tho open fighting of early days. Our war batteries galloped into action, patrols moved to establish contact with the enemy and infantry are taking up their positions, chattering and smoking among the old ruins. The greatest novelty is the line of tanks crawling over the hills like enormous sings, an excellent target for i enemy) guns though not for the shorO fired. The enemy has no strong guns in his front lines, nevertheless the dominating impression is that our infantry is calm, resolute, and undismayed marching forward to almost certain death. It is hard to see this pageant of heroic youths, with their bodies and spirit standing between us and German victory. Their courage will break the enemy 'onslaught in the second battle of the Somme - BRITISH RESERVE TRENCHES FIFTEEN MILES BACK OF LINES.

VARIOUS AMERICAN OPINIONS

Received 9.45

NEW YORK, March 26,

The New York “Sun” has interviewed Mr. Hudson Maxim, who admitted it was possible to fire a projectile 60 miles, using a small shell base, later automaticaly detached as projectile leaves the A shell that reached such an altitude would traverse a rarefied area,' thus increasing the range* y

The New York Stock Exchange showed a small early decline, but it recovered later.

The American public follows every move of the great offensive with intensest interest. Extra editions of newspapers are rapidly bought up, but the first feeling of excitement was soon replaced by growing confidence.

Newspapers do not deny the seriousness of the situation, but they are confident the British line will not be broken*

Officials at Washington point out that the offensive will result in an almost unbelievable speeding up of preparations; will stop useless debates in Congress and incite 'America in throwing every resource into the struggle. It is realised that American aid will be one of the most important factors in securing peace. The New York “Tribune” states: One has to remember that Haig has retired, retaining and still presenting anf unbroken front.

Henry Ford urges America to meet tlie German offensive by the mobilisation of the United States’ machinery and producing small trucks at the rate of 2000 daily.

A high British officer says the British have a strong reserve trench system fifteen mlieo behind the lines.

Much interest is aroused by the report that Americans participated in the big battle. No confirmation of the news has been received af'VVashington. , The “New York World’s” Paris correspondent emphasises the splendid confidence of the French people, and says he learns that 1,160,000 Germans were engaged in the drive.

WHAT HINDENBURG IS AIMING FOR.

FRENCH FIGHTING FOOT BY FOOT

Received' 11.20

LONDON. March 26

A sad feature of the battle is that civilians have again been forced to abandon their homes in the Peronne region, rvlrere many villages had been repaired and farms re-cultivated. The refugees are full of praise for the assistance the British army rendered In moving effects. Not an animal, drop of -wine, or a shred of linen has been left for the Germans, who now are forced to reoccupy land they wantonly devastated a year ago, which wall make their battle plans in the imme diate future much more difficult. It is believed Amiens is Hindenburg’s immediate objective, but Petain’s report that the French are fighting foot by foot before Noyon is significant. This is only fifty-six miles from Paris.

The “Daily Telegraph’s” war “expert opines the enemy will soon concentrate an intense effort to attempt the open road towards Paris Tfom S*. Quentin. The attacks upon the British will then seek to protect the principal attack against Paris. Colonel Repington points out that French help greatly lightens the task of the British Fifth Army, wETch haa a hard time, seeing that 73 out of 96 German divisions on our front are already identified. It is clear we are thus far greatly'outnumbered, the enemy’s preponderance often being four to' one. The loss of guns is growing heavy, but there are large reserves in Bagdad and France, and the losses can be replaced. The War Cabinet ought to immediately announce the measures they propdse in order to make good all losses. All newspapers insist, that the Government must be supported, and that every sacrifice is necessary to enable us to keep our sorely-tried units up to fighting strength.

HOW ENGLAND TAKES THE NEWS, NO SIGN OF LOSING HEART. GERMANS FOUR DAYS BEHIND TIME. PERONNE AND BAPAUME CAP-

TURED,

Received 9.35

LONDON, March 26

Throughout the afternoon and evening public anxiety for latest news continued. Newspapers were bought despite the high prices and small sheets Members crowded round the tape machines in clubs, exchanges and hotels. Stirring scenes continued at Charing Cross throughout the evening. As each ambulance car passed women tried to, touch the outstretched hands of the wounded.

General Haig’s insistence on the I fact that the present effort is the enI emys’ last hope of success encourages j the nation to view the battle in pro- | per perspective. There is no sign of the public losing heart owing to the ( necessity of continued withdrawal; on the contrary people of England and France welcome Haig’s withdrawal from difficult positions instead of subjecting the original front to dangerous tension. They recall the success of similar tactics at Verdun, where the Germans had a big preliminary success, but the position eventually righted after tremendous German losses. Latest telegrams show r the Britis’ line still maintains its continuity between Bapaume, Nesle, and Guiscard, which are all In the general line, and only signify an orderly' retreat. Our various army corps are keeping in touch with each other.

Bapaume and Peronne only have fallen, four days after schedule time. No large body of men is cut off, but the Allied reserves are not yet fully in action, and it is evident powerful blows are in preparation. Meanwhile the Germans have not even catpured the ground the spring of 1917.

ENEMY CLAIM 45,000 PRISONERS,

LONDON, March 25. Admiralty wireless.—A German offl

cial message states: We again de

feated the enemy in a tremendous struggle near Bapaume. We broke through a strong enemy position north-east of Bapaume after bitter fighting. * Meanwhile our forces from the east and south-east drove the enemy back via Ytres and Sailly. The enemy’s stubborn resistance, which was reinforced, was broken, after a violent battlei

Press ovvrsions, with numerous violent, vainly opposed our advance on the roads from Bapaume towards Cambrai and Peronne.

During the night battle Peronne fell ■ s into our hands.

Hot fighting developed for the possession of Combles and the height to the westward. The enemy were defeated. English cavalry attacks broke down. We are now standing in the middle of the former Somme battlefield.

The Crown Prince, with von Hutiers’ army, ascended, in bitter fighting, the height w'estw'ard of the Somme. Violent English infantry and cavalry attacks broke dowm sanguinarily. We captured Ncsle after crossing the Crozat Canal. We threw' back the English, French and Americans via Laneuville and Villequier-Aumont. French infantry and cavalry divisions were brought up for a counter-thrust, but were sanguinarily defeated. We captured Guiscard and Chauny. Our prisoners now number 45,000.

BRITAIN’S CHALLENGE

LONDON, March 25

Mr Lloyd George states that a man, a gun, and a tank are on the way to France for every one lost, and a thousand more are ready.

THE NATION’S TRIBUTE. TO THE ARMY.

RESULT OF STRUGGLE CONFIDENTLY AWAITED.

LONDON, March 26

The Press Bureau reports: Cabinet wishes to express the Nation’s thanks to the Army for its splendid defence. The whole Empire is filled with pride, watching the heroic resistance of the brave troops against 'overwhelming odds, knowing their steadfastness and courage whenever the- country’s’ Honour depends on their val Our.; "The Empire eonfidyi ently awaits 1 the result of thisAtim£glh| to defeat, the enemy’s last desperate' effort to trample free nations. Wp at home arc, prepared to do „all in i our power to help in the true spirit of comradeship. ..The men [necessary to replace all casualties and, guns land, machine-guns required to make good the losses, are either now in Franco or already en route. Still further reinforcements, ,of men and jguns | are ready to be - thrown into -the .battle.

BRITISH TROOPS IN GOOD HEART.

LONDON, March 25

The Press Bureau reports: Our troops this morning on the Somme, northward of Wancourt, beat off continuous heavy attacks with complete success, cur artillery and machine guns inflicting heavy losses. Our low-lying aeroplanes repeatedly attacked enemy’s advancing columns in the rear, A heavy attack this afternoon by fresh enemy troops enabled them to progress to the westward and southwestward of B’apaumo, in the direction of Courcclette.

We have been pressed back southward of Peronne at several places to slightly westward of the Somme. The enemy further south made some progress, capturing NcSlc and Gulsoarej. arrived in this neighbourhood. Our troops, though tired arc in good heart, and fighting splendidly. The enemy are progressing only at the cost of heavy sacrifices. Our losses of material have been heavy, including a number of tanksf

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