HEROISM OF SEAFORTHS.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 March 1918, Page 5

HEROISM OF SEAFORTHS.

ADVANCE SLOWLsi; DOvYX. GERMANS HELD. Received March 20, 1.20 a.m. London, March 25. Mr. Gibbs slates that opposite trio British line north of tin; Oi.se river the enemy assembled four divisions. Then there was a gap, owing to the marshes. The Oenuans were so densely massed there that there was a division upon each kilometre of the iron!. The Germans never spread a division beyond two kilometres, with a battalion to every live hundred yards. Although, on the right, a fog confused the enemy, ow.Sng to the width of No Man's Land) further north the lot; was in the (jermans' favor, as our machine-guns in enfilade positions could not see until the attackers were unite close.

It was decided to withdraw from Mouthy on Saturday night, and the movement was made without the enemy's knowledge, being only discovered three hours after the last 'man 1 eft. There were ten attacks against Vaux Vrancourt on Saturday. Tiie Hermans brought up cavalry, hut the lin was not pierced, only a great slaughter of men and horses by xhe British machinegunners.

When the Uhlans were reoprted to be advancing in the neighborhood of Ham to GuiscarcJ, rH the servants of the headquarters staff, including the cooks, orderlies, and transportmen, were gathered and sent up the road to hold the village. Mr. Gibbs pays a tribute 1,1 the immortal heroism of the. Highlanders of the First Division. When their right Hank was exposed, a battalion of .Seaforths covered the withdrawal of the other troops, regardless of their lives, against the enemy hordes, and held the position even when the enemy brought «p two field guns and fired into the Seaforths at point-blank range. Only a few of the Seaforths survived.

After breaking across the Oise-St. Quentin Canal, the Germans pressed on hard, despite their frightful losses, and fought their way through tlie woods around Ham. There is no weakening in the attack, but the advance is slowing down. ■■

Our men and prisoners agree that the German losses have been on the highest scale. Some German battalions lost 75 per cent., while hardly any of the attacking units lost less than thirty per cent. One prisoner stated that out of his company of 238 only 50 were alive. There were several cases like this. The Germans were sent out into the blue with two days' iron rations. They are now hungry, exhausted an:! dazed by this long struggle. Th.-y say the otfmisivr h-hh begun as an act of desperation, because Germany must have peace. Despite their progress, they are now depressed, because there has been no decisive victory. Since Sunday morning the Germans have been held, and have made no progress of any kind..

HAIG'S REPORTS. HEAVY FIGHTING EXPECTED. London, March 24. Sir Douglas Haig reports that tiie battle if continuing with the greatest intensity on the whole front southward of the Scarpe Kiver. Our troops have taken up their now .positions southward and westward of St, ,Quentin, and are heavily engaged with .the enemy. Strong hostile attacks during the night in the neighborhood ot Jussy were repulsed with great enemy loss. On the northern portion of the battle front the enemy's attacks were pressed with the utmost doterminaticn, regardless of losses, but our troops maintained their positions on the greater part of this rfont after a fierce and prolonged struggle. Great gallantry was shown by the troop* engaged in fighting in this area, and southward tho 19th and Oth Divisions distinguished themselves by tho valor of their defence. In one sector nix attacks, in which German cavalry participated, were beaten oil' by one of 'tjur infantry brigades. The enemy's attacks continue with great violence. Sir Douglas Haig further reports: .There was no material change on tlie battle front, during the night, though further lighting occurred at a number of points. We arc holding a line from (he Somme River to Peronne. Small parties of the enemy endeavored to cross the river in Ike neighborhood of Pargny, but were driven back. We are in touch on the right with the French northwards of the Somme Kiver. Our troops at Peronne held their positions after beating off a number of attacks at different portions on this front (n the early part of the night. Heavy lighting must stil! be expected.