SOUTH OF THE SOMME

Taihape Daily Times, 2 April 1918, Page 6

SOUTH OF THE SOMME

LONDON, March 30. Mr Percival Phillips states that a steady pressure is cdntintie'd "on 1 otrr right, south of the Somme?~'!§y dossing from Chipilly to Cetfsy ttfe erfe’iny succeeded in getting about 2000 yards in our rear. He was held “uji, " however, until all our guns wete removed. We took a fresh line further west. This was the position this morning, but the Germans are still bringing up guns and fresh divisions, though their great attack oas not yet materialised. There were strong concentrations today around Guillaticourt, ,an the Amiens Nesle railway, a short distance behind their present front., situation generally one of comparative calm, obviously due to-.the german preparations for the next7pJ3yg.se. Much rain has fallen We have the advantage in the rgaximum shelter possible in~ope%wo,r|3re, whereas the enemy is -lodgedian^region stripped to the lash reef"* ■'S&hout protection from the rain on--the.-dead-lier hail of our machine- guns. As>notable feature of the fighting wasrhhe extraordinary weight of the German machine gun offensive. He-is'-amaz-ingly swift and expert in handlingiithe newer weapon, and makes eact'atTUck under an intense machine 'gsnr'sx&arrage, which appears to rise out of the ground. What is “noi ” one moment appears to fdtety Sprout with machine guns the" next'iftlcTffient.

The Daily Mail says the-Capfuie of Mont Didier affects the of Amiens. French are continually arriving, and the' situations'll? 1 serious until Mont Didier c & redore'red. The Germans have heei’'beSterTTjack from the present pos ifi b riS r * z q aSP of Amiens. v

The Crown Prince’s rush'll' 5 Valley affords a thrilling c fi|taTive of successful Anglo French re- - vorfß?* cover the most serious portion. The advances both at Noyon { and’' Mont Didier have now been ahregtj^'^ 1 the latter by a brilliant bayonqt’ -charge by Chasseurs-a-Pied, resulting ip, an advance f of one and°a half' mileg -and the recapture of the . Villages- of Courtemarch, Assainvillers. and-. JMesnil St. George. British cavalry fought tQ with the French infantry, enabling General Petain to rush-in-reserves of Infantry and artillery.