Last Twenty-four Hours.

Taihape Daily Times, 28 March 1918, Page 5

Last Twenty-four Hours.

A THRILLING NARRATIVE

BRITISH SOLDIERS* - 3 LTDRB SPIRIT

AMAZING PHYSICAL ENDURANCE WINS OR LOSES GERMANY MUST HAVE PEACE Received 10.10 LONDON, March 27. Mr Pirrie Robinson summarised the last twenty-four hours fighting by saying on the whole the Germans have made headway. We fell back, but it is impossible to visualise the fifty miles’ attack as a single entity. The great conflict seems more to resolve itself into detached incidents, thrust and counter-thrust at scattered points Our guns and aeroplanes are incessantly bombarding Nesle and Bapaume —giving the incoming infantry a hard | time in the old Somme battlefield. Towards Peronne the Germans on the north side of the river are a trifle further west than yesterday, in the Lon-gevale-Mont Auban region and between Clery and Mericourt, but we hold the river line. Fighting is progresing on the north side, the enemy having made additional crosings of the river at Brie and Voyennes. We have fallen back behind Nesle. There is evidence that the German troops are getting beyond their guns, and the German artillery is thus unable to play anything like their earlier part, but fresh masses of troops are continuously thrown in, and the numbers now are enormous. At the beginning of the battle there were probably 85 German divisions in reserve on the West front. Thirty three were used the first day and approximately ten each succeeding day, so the reserves* now were reduced to from 30 to 32 divisions. Since then new tro 'ps. have been thrown in each day. so how

many reserves are now ’eH it is Impossible to say, but this is obviously a bipotul feature of the situation, Ln the other fund, we hare new reserves ava' c'ble. and the spirit of cor whole

amiy remains supeib. Our airmen’s P-orlij-icus efforts are badly hamper ing the enemy, and French' assistance is most valuable] All these facts prove the ultimate unimpmtaijoe of territorial gains. British Loops are very hard pressed in the struggle ar Nesle uis Germans hiving thirteen divisions to our four. We, nevertheless. hold the line of the canal from Ber.hincourt southward ail clay, checniug the enemy untol by overwhelming strength he forced a passage at ■doyennes with the bloodiest losses. The enemy advanced at Ruy e Grand, but we still hold the line running through enemy advanced at' Ruy le Grand, Mey encourt, Libremont, le Blesses and \illeleve but it was an awkward line, and it was only by exceeding valour that enabled us to cling thereto so long. Therefore, during the day a new line was prepared west of Nesle, and we fell back at nightfall. Our line still continues across the enemy front, but though our troops were everywhere outnumbered they noing the enemy until by overwhelming pressure. A division defending Ervillers and Mory fought 36 hours, beating off three divisions, including the Second Guards Reserve. The beaten enemy then threw his weight further south against Gommecourt. Here the

Lancashires and Yorkshires beat off repeated attacks, fighting so long that officers were hardly able to speak or j stand. Finally the Germans withdrew ; and the Lancashires and Yorkshires, | full of fight and glory, Had an opportunity to rest. Despite the intensest strain on physical endurance the weary Tommies clung to the lino to the last with but the one idea that their business is to go 'on fighting and kill. German prisoners declare that this is Germany’s supreme effort. Germany must have peace whether she wins or loses. GERMANS STILL PRESSING A CHANGE EXPECTED AS RESERVES MOVE IN. Received 11.35 LONDON, March 27. When the British and French reserves enter the field the whole complexion should be changed. The sternest German effort is now against Roye, where twelve enemy’s West divisions, including fresh Brandenburghers, are pressing on heavily. Other Germans are pushing steadily against Albert, where latest messages state the British line is still held.

Lord Morris, o£/' Newfoundland, speaking at the Overseas Club, said be beard from official sources 1 straight from the from?- headquarters, that of four Germai]/ divisions numbering 80,000 who hj|ohe our old Somme line, not one esc;-.|p ec i—all were killed or captured. I

•A CRITICAL TIME.

LONDON, March 27

The latest news reveals that the danger point has shifted from north to south, between Arras and Noyon. i'he situation is more hopeful but still exceedingly grave. The northern advance is being held. The southern clearly a race against time. Everything depends on the next few hours. Wednesday and Thursday wSI be highly critical days.

GERMANS TO RECEIVE A LESSON

LONDON. March 27

The Daily Chronicle’s correspondent on the French front writes:—l believe the hour is at hand when the Allied commanders will give Hinden burg a lesson in the art of war worthy of the Marne and Verdun. Perhaps I am influenced by the sight of masses of troops .moving around me, among them nothing but confidence.

GERMAN PREDICTION.

A BRITISH FLANKING ATTACK

Received 11.35,

AMSTERDAM, March 27

The Vorwaerts war correspondent says the enemy holds strong, reserves southward of the penetrated front and will make a flanking attack to the northward.

HINDENBURG’S DESPERATE EFFORTS.

STUBBORN RESISTANCE AT AMIENS.

Received 11.35

LONDON, March 27.

Hindcnburg’s most desperate efforts to push on to Amiens is meeting with most stubborn resistance. Airmen are bombing Amiens nightly.

GERMANS CAPTURE ALBERT

BRITISH RECAPTURE WARLENCOUET.

Received 11.35

VANCOUVER. March 27,

London advices state that British counter-attacks resulted i\i the recapture of Warlcncourt and Chipilly. It is also announced that the German* have captured Albert.

SIR DOUGLAS HAIG REPORT HEAVY FIGHTING CONTINUES Received 11.85. LONDON, March 27. Sir Douglas Haig reports: As a result of attacks yesterday afternoon r astride the Somme, wo were forced back on both banks a short distance. In the neighbourhood of Bray w r e repulsed, after severe fighting, heavy night attacks. Southward of the Somme the enemp entered our positions at one point in the neighbourhood of the river, hut we immediately thrown him back by coun-ter-attack. There is further local fighting northward and northcoastward of Albert, but the situation here is unchanged.

GERMAN TANKS.

COPENHAGEN, March 27,

The Germans are using a large number of a new type of tank, which is claimed to powerful and markedly mobile. A semi-offeial message states that mainly owing to attacks by these tanks the British lines and macnTne gun nests were easily destroyed. The tanks returned unharmed. “Vorwaerts” correspondent states that captured British tanks are being used to reinforce the Germans. FORTY EIGHT HOURS WILL DECIDE THE BATTLE PARIS, March 27. M. Clemenceau declares that if the Germans can be held for another 48 hours their offensive will be checked. FRENCH RESERVES ARRIVING Received Noon. LONDON, March 27. The Germans claim that the British have retreated on both sides of the Somme. The French have retired to slightly west of Roye. A renewal of German attacks north of Albert is momentarily expected. North of the Somme the Germans have been checked for the time being. South of the Somme French reserves are arriving. The British counter-attacked and drove the Germans across the Ancre.

The British have recaptured Progart.