ENEMY'S LAST OUNCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 March 1918, Page 5

ENEMY'S LAST OUNCE.

THROWN INTO THE STRUGGLEj ISSUE OF WAR DEPENDS UPON I RESULT. GREATEST EPICS OF HISTORY. THE BRITISH MAGNIFICENT DEFENCE. Renter Service. Received March 25, 10.55 p.m. London. March 20. Tho British headquarters correspondent states that Jie enemy is now throwing 'his last ounce of weight and resource into the ntruggle, upon the course of which, in the immediate future, vangs the issue of the war. A captured airman stated that the offensive is the result of desperation. "We must have peace quickly now. Our troops throughout the 23rd of Mareli were very hard pressed by the English lolling on our legions, through whose weary ranks fresh divisions were conv'nually pouring." 'The magnificent defence which the slowly-retiring British line has thus far •nade assuredly constitutes one of the greatest epics of history. I find at high quarters to-day unbroken serenity, confidence, and satisfaction with the genual position. During the afternoon of the 23rd, in i Hie region of Ham, things temporarily looked ugly when the enemy outflanked us and hurried up cavalry in order to extend his enveloping movement, but the vigorous counter-attack restored thd oosition.

When reading the German claims, remember the extent of the battlu front, and do not forgot the enemy's concentration of guns, which was the greatest I ever recollect, an awful hetacomb marking the wake of his advance.

Tho French troops on our right, after ;» lengthy rest are at the top of their (lashing morale. Yesterday thero was Homeric fighting in the centre of the battle-front, wliere c-iir machine-gunners a number of times had to eense from sheer exhaustion of killing Never had the British arms so superbly met such an overwhelming test, including the South African contingent Mid Newfoundland battalion, both of which are lighting magnificently. The fourth day of the offensive brought no surprises, although the enemy's long range guns were doing Uieir utmost day and night Between Lagnicourt and Henries tho Dritish were confronted by eight to ten divisions and ten hundred guns. The preliminary bombardment of the whole front on the first day was the heaviest fever experienced, and ranged to an oxteptional depth, probably owing to the German gunning not b.Mng so accurate is ours. Before the infantry advanced iho barrage lifted for a considerable distance, as the Germans will not liug the barrage as do the British; otherwise the fidvance was similar to our attacks, except that the enemy waves were far denser. Since the preliminary- bombardwent, enemy artillerying has shown a lendeney to decrease.

Tho situation at present appears to be that wv are holding the enemy virtuv.lly on the whole front, although he is pressing his attacks very heavily. For example, one village was taken by the Germans, ro-taken by us, rc-taken by the Germans, and yet again captured by the British, and at present it is not definitely lenown to be occupied by either side.

There are wide stretches of No Man's Land with poikets of the enemy intersecting our posts. The covering actions of our brigades and divisions fought to secure orderly withdrawal,? are magnificent episodes. Two battalion? sustained their llanlc for nights until the object was attained. Battalions were reduced to seventy apiece, Enemy cavalry were reported at .various -plaees, but usually Were only a screen to patrols. There is not yet any sign of Ge*rnan tanks, although picked men have been trained to &/>erate them. The fiercest fighting has been on tlio Hanks of the battle front, the southern lknk yielding the most ground. The 'withdrawals in the centre have been vt-ry slow, being carried out In most places under necessity, while maintaining a good line. HOW THE HUNS CAME ON. SHOULDER TO SHOULDER. GERMAN SHELLING HEAVIEST OF THE WAR. United Service. Received March 25,11.20 p.m. London, March 25. Mr. Hamilton Fyfe states that the first German wave consisted of roughly 250 men with machine guns, marching shoulder to shoulder, their jteadiness bespeaking discipline and morale. At intervals of 100 yards came a similar wave. The nqxt interval was from two to three hundred yards, the trench mortars and battalion staff being at a further interval, followed by field artillery in open column, forming into line batteries. Everywhere our machine guns played havoc. The British describe the German gas shelling as the heaviest of the war. Prisoners in some sectors state that the battalions had from thirty to fifty per cant, casualties. The rankers were kept in complete ignorance of the date of tho offensive, while tho officers were equally kopt in the dark, being given sealed packets aud ordered to opsn them at a certain hour. The British drenched St. Quentin with gas for two days prior to the attack.