WESTERN FRONT.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 March 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

TERRIFiC BOMBARDMENT. ON BRITISH. FRONT. GERMAN ACTIVITY COMMENCES. London, March 2. ! The Germans have begun a terrific ■ bombardment along most of the British front. The German infantry attacked iu the , neighborhood of Laguicourt On the British front the Germans arc < reported to be advancing at several points west of Cambrai. _ The Americans raided the German ' linos at Toul and engaged in hand-to- ' hand fighting. ' American headquarters report that German airmen are dropping rubber bulLs 18 inches in diameter, filled with liquid mustard gas, over the American sector, but so far without result. London, March 20. British headquarters report that very wet weather is restricting operations and favors surprise tactics, hut the enemy shows no signs of emerging. London, March 21. A French communique says: There is artillery activity between " the Meuse and the Aisne; also in Champagne. The artillery activity is somewhat violent on the right of the -Meuse and the Arroy Wood, and in the Wocv ■• region. At the Bois Brule the <-:n' v heavily attacked, but, after a siiir light, we expelled parties which had gained a footing in our advanced elements. Our aeroplanes dropped 13 tons of bomhs behind the enemy lines. A number of explosions and two fires wore observed.

. A DOUBLE ATTACK. ON BRITISH FRONT. GERMAN ACTIVITY COMMENCES. ON FIFTY MILE FRONT. BY ENEMY STORM TROOPS. THICK SWATHES CUT IN RANKS. Received March 23, 12.50 a.m. London, March 21. Mr. Bonar Law, speaking in the House of Commons, said that a German infantry attack was launched in the morning from the Scarpe to the Oise, a distance of over fifty miles, but the. result thus far had not been reported. Mr. Bonar Law added that the German attacks were on a larger scale than any thus far made. Our outpoßts were withdrawn from any part of the line which was very lightly held. This was in accordance with expectations and instructions. There was nothing in the nature of a surprise attack. It was launched on the very .part of the line that the War Office and the. Versailles Council expected. Mr. Bonar Law concluded: "I predicted the attacking party was sure to gain a certain amount of ground. The information does not suggest that anything beyond that has happened. The House and country will not be unnecessarily alarmed. The generals three days ago informed the Cabinet that the attack was coming, and we will be able tb meet it." (Cheers). Tin House then adjourned. The United Press Agency states that picked storm troops were hurried against the British righu flank, thick waves following a smoke barrage. There was hard fighting at Bulleeourt, Roussy, Vaucilette farm, and Lagnicourt, the machine-guns and artillery cutting swathes in the enemy's ranks. Mr. Percival Phillips states that the German intention was apparently to pinch out the slice of tho Hindenburg line we captured in November, by a double attack, one operating in the triangle of Arras, Cambrai, Bapaumc, and Cambrai roads, and the other westward of the Scheldt canal, hoping to clinch the jaws of the gigantic pincers. Mr. Gibbs confirms the report that the chief German attack was directed against Bulleeourt, Lagnicourt, and Norsuil. SUCCESSFUL BRITISH RAIDS., ENEMY RAID REPULSED. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc, and RetiterReceived March 23, 12.5 a.m. London, March 22. Sir Douglas Haig reports: The enemy opened a heavy bombardment down our whole front in the neighborhood of Vendeuil, south of St. Qucntin, to the river Scarpe. We raided in the neighborhood of St. Quentin and brought back prisoners. We also took prisoners south-cast of Messines and south of Ifouthulst forest. We repulsed a raid in the neighborhood of Armentieres. ' GERMAN OFFENSIVE COMMENCED. Reutcr Service. , Received March 22, 10.30 p.m. [ London, March 21. ; The German offensive on the West i front has begun. GERMAN YOUTHS APPEAR. '■ Received March 22, 7.25 p.m. Times Service. London, March 21. i Mr. Robinson says that German re- ! emits of the I*2o class (17-1S years of ' a»e\ have appeared on the West front.