WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 28 March 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

BRITISH LINE GIVES BUT DOES NOT BREAK. ATTACKON ENEMY’S LEFT AT LA FFEE. - LONDON, March 26, An eyewitness of the fighting tells re- - markable stories of the callousness of the German generals to losses. In one case forty-eight guns were placed in a field in order to cover a quarter of a quarter of a mile rush of attackers. The British heavy guns wiped out 12 batteries in a few minutes. The 12 batteries were immediately replaced, and the British demolished the new arrivals, men, horses, guns, and all. Then the Germans put in a further fortyeight guns. The Germans have now' reached the Allied line held prior to the battle of the Somme at ifaricourt. This is the rhead of the battering ram, hence the Kaiser’s reference to Albert, but a summary of the whole situation is con-

tained in the fact that the British line r. ( giv;es.--b u t does not break. Even responsible Germans are preparing their public for possible disasters. Berlin telegrams tsate that the emotion of the people has reached fever heat. A portion of Berlin’s population all night on Saturday was crowded outside the newspaper offices awaiting the news. The newspapers warn the pub- ! lie against injudicious hopes for an collapse of the British Army. Several war correspondents imply that the successes were paid for heavily. The War corespondent of the "Frankfurter Zeitung” states that "the British, French, and American reserves made a serious flank attack on the German left wing west of La Fere, the spot being chosen with much ability, but we were prepared. During the next day we 'will have to face strong coun-tr-attacks.” The correspondent adds: "We have a resolute adversary who will make desperate efforts to turn the tide.” FRENCH OPTIMISTIC, KNOW THE WORST. LONDON,. March 26. I The "Daily. Chronicle’s” corresponded with the French armies says that the French Higher Command is satfied and even optimistic as regards the position. The correspondent adds: "It may be taken that we now know the worst and the enemy’s utmost possible strength has been put into the first blow. The French are holding strongly in the Oise Valley, and are in safe haison with the British on the Somme.

“It is in the nature of the case,” ho adds, “that I cannot state the grounds of the French higher command’s optimism. One-third of the German forces on the Western front are engaged. On one-eighth of the front’s extent possibly a Secondary offensive may be declared, but judging by the result of the first blow there is nothing * resembling a break through, ’ ’ FRENCH NOYON SUCCESS. SIXTY MILE GUN AT WORK. 'U GERMANS SUFFER BLOODY REPULSE. 1 Received 9.5. LONDON, March 27, German night attack south of the me -was repulsed with heavy losses The long range bombardment on Paris continues. German attacks on the French along the Noyon front were driven off.

POLITICAL NEWSPAPERS AGAIN DIRECTING AFFAIRS LONDON, March 27. Newspapers urge the necessity of seeing things steadily, seeing them as a whole, but they insist that the public must be ready to make any sacrifices necessary. The “Morning Post” demands that Robertson be recalled tef the War Office to help reorganise the battered divisions. The War Cabinet must sink all questions of amour propre. The "Daily Chronicle,’’ says editoriliament ought to re-assemble. Parliament ought to re-assehmble. Raising the military age to 45 seems to be foreshadowed. Man-power lies at the bottom of the present situation. The two prophets who proved to be right are Robertson and Auckland Geddes, the latter for his clear presentation of. the new position due to Russia’s,holr lapse and Robertson fdr'his constant' insistence bn the decisive character. of fighting on the Western Troiit. ; BRITISH RETIREMENT ALL : PREVIOUSLY PLANNED. ! THE KAISER FACES DEFEAT BRITAIN’S SMASHING BLOW e ’ :: Received 9.5. WASHINGTON, March 27

General Wood, returned, from, 1 France in giving evidence before• the Senate Military Committee, said he believed Sir Douglas Haig was retiring in accordance with pre-arranged plans. The,British will deliver their smashing blow on the Germans from both sides. Mr. McAdoo in announcing the Liberty Loan said America-will give their uttermost resources bring to an end the execrable German militarism. Defeat now faces the Kaiser. BRITISH RESERVES NOT TOUCHED. PETAIN’S BLOW IS EXPECTED. SITUATION IS NOT DESPERATE. Received 9]5. NEW YORK; March 26. The Tribune declares the German advance docs not equal the onrush at Verdun. The Allies reserves are not yet engaged. It is expected that retain will strike quickly and soon.

Frank Simmands in an article in tlic New York Sundays within the next 24 hours the Germans win decisive or be forced to halt The British now hold high, advantageous ground, while the Germans’ task of bringing up supplies are increasingly difficult. It is absurd to regard the situation as desperate until the Allies’ reserve army participates, Hudson Maxim says he is able to build a gun that will shoot from London to Paris, but he doubts the value of such freak artillery.

The Editor of the Scientific American says the long range could be obtained by lengthening the gun to 150 feet and using slow burning powder, but it could not fire more than 25 accurate' shots. Semi-official advice is received at Washington that Austrians are transferring large calibre artillery from the Russian front to the West front. AMERICANS HEAVILY SHELLING TO KEEP GERMANS BUSY. Received 9.5. NEW YORK, March 26. American Headquarters reports that Americans arc heavily shelling German positions, preventing the Germans detaching troops to participate in the big offensive.

THE BATTLE RAGING.

KINDENBURG’S DESPERATE

EFFORTS

A CRITICAL STAGE REACHED.

Received 8.45

LONDON, March 27.

The United Press correspondent says the Anglo-French arc viewing coming events calmly and courageously. The British arc holding the gates of Albert determinedly. The Hindenburg masses are along the Poziercs ridge, astride the Somme, at Warlencourt, Lesars, Tiers, Longeval, Montauban, Mametz and Courcelette and the Germans to-day arc strewing their corpses as they slowly press forward. The battle has undoubtedly reached a

critical stage. Hindenburg is desperately trying to break through, now here, now there, unmindful of the huge gaps torn in his massed ranks by B’ritish guns, simultaneously -with the lunges made in the direction of Albert, Furious attacks arc being flung to the isoulh'west, against /the line at Rosieres and in St. Gobain forest, driving outward towards Roye and Noyes. Between the two last-named places assault follows assault in rapid succession. The Anglo-French forcing the enemy to pay dearly for every inch of ground. Ncsle was taken only after a most furious combat, the French resorting to bayonets, grenades and even to pocket knives in body to body deathlock. Much the same scenes were enacted at Ney, the British at Grcvillers, Ligny, Thirlov. Montauban and elsewhere withdrawing only when ordered, sticking until the last man, overcame by sheer numbers.

SPEEDING UP MUNITIONS.

NO EASTER HOLIDAYS

Received 9.5

LONDON, March 27,

The Press Bureau states that Mr. Winston Churchill is appealing to munition-workers to make best efforts to promptly replace the serious losses in guns, machine-guns and ammunition, with a view to maintaining the armament and equipment of fighting troops at; highest level our resources will permit. Our resources have fortunately been sufficient to accomplish this up to the present in every class of munitions, but it is necessary to speed up the completion of important parts of work in hand. There is a certain class of guns and shells specially useful now, which can be released in largely increased numbers in the next few weeks. Mr. Churchill gratefully acknowledges the spontaneous assurances received from many districts that there would be so cessation bf output during the Easter holidays.

AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS CON-

FIDENT

TERRIFIC COUNTER-ATTACK

PENDING

Received 9.5

WASHINGTON, March 27

A Washington Senator introduced a resolution in connection with the attitude and tone of newspapers over the war situation; they were full of confidence. It was believed that the German wedge would be menaced when the German troops were exhausted and when a terrific counterattack would be launched.

GENERAL HAIG’S MESSAGE

EVERY ENEMY DIVISION USED

Received 10.10

LONDON, March 27

Sir Douglas Haig’s message to the | army was dated prior to Sunday’s battle. He says the crisis cf 'cue war is now reached,‘•fiie Germans are trying to destroy the British nrmtesj and are concentrating every division for such a purpose. FranceTs sending troops as quickly as possible to British support THE GREAT KAISER BATTLE ADVANCE IS SLOWING DOWN Received 10.10 LONDON, March 27. What the Germans call “The Great Kaiser Battle” continues in full force. They say that the Germans in five days wiped out the results of eight months’ battle on the Somme, which cost ourselves and the Germans one million and a quarter of casualties Nevertheless the latest news shows that the German advance is slowing down between the Scarpe and Cojeul stream. Von Bulow failed to make the least impression on the British defence, Tuesday’s advance nowhere reached a great depth. The indications arc that the German infantry are get ting ahead of the artillery, despite t?ie‘ the excellent weather.

The Germans used about eighty-five divisions compared with thirty by the British and the French, with a few American corps.