A SUPREME TEST.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 March 1918, Page 4

A SUPREME TEST.

DENSE COLUMNS ADVANCING. London, March 23. Renter's correspondent at headquarters, telegraphing to-day, says: There is no doubt that tho Germans arc making their supreme effort against the British. Fifty enemy divisions have- already been flying into the battle, whilst more are in close reserve. The O'-iimns are pushing on regardless of cost. Under Ire tremendous onslaught our troops in many places are very r.lowly falling back voluntarily in excellent order, and maintain an unbroken front to tho dense enemy masses. Yesterday and throughout the night tho battje-'front continued to extend southward. ' I hear that the French are now engaged on our right. The most intense fighting is around Roisel and Tincourt, where, with indomitable valor, every foot is contested. The slaughter of the eniney is appalling. Twelve times every available.gun in this area was concentrated upon the solid masses of Germans. Northwards the enemy is pressing hard upon the defenders of Hcrmies. They got into Mory, but a most dashing eoun-ler-.ittaek drove thorn out, and a large party were surrounded and probably captured. The enemy is advancing from both north and south towards St. Leger. Dense columns are reported to be marching from Lognicourt down the BapaumfLagnicourt road and through ValuxVraucourt. In the afternoon, bodies of cavalry were seen moving down the Ham-Metig-ny and Han-St. Quentin .roads, and it was rumored that some infantry had crossed the Sonime Canal. We are confident that the Germans' tremendous, and probably despairing effort has failed, but the test is a supreme one. The news comes out of the thunderous vortex in disjointed scraps, and it is difficult to piece it together. If correct, it suggests that the Germans are attempting a toning movement, pivoting on .Ham, in which case, owing to the masses of troops at their disposal the situation here may prove less promising than along the rest of the line of withdrawal. Meanwhile the weather remains brilliant, and Hie terrible slaughter of enemy hordes continues from tho ground and air.