AN AMAZING DRAMA.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 March 1918, Page 5

AN AMAZING DRAMA.

ENEMY'S VIOLENT THRUSTS. GLORIOUS sriRIT OF BRITISH TROOPS. FIGHTING DESPERATELY FOR SIX DAYS. Received Marcli 27, 10.50 p.m. London, March ~~. Mr. Gihbs, reporting on Tuesday, states: Yesterday morning the enemy continued his violent thrusts on our line west of Bapaume and Perouiic, while masses of troops, mostly lirandenhurgers and picked troops, are making efforts to advance in the direction of Roye from Nesle, where tlie French are heavily engaged. The enemy is pushing on over the Somme from Delville wood, High wood, and Maurepas towards the lines we held before the Somme battles in 191(1. The enemy has only paused since he began his great offensive to briiig up new divisions to replace those exhausted by the attack or shattered by our fire, while the latter re-form, recuperate, and then come on again. Owing to the enormous forces at the enemy's disposal, the Germans are able to pursue the advantage gained with fresh troops against our hard-pressed men, who have been fightin," without respite for six days. Despite the gravity of these hours, there has never been a more glorious spirit among the British troops in our history. They withstood odds which were sometimes eight to one. Near Croisilles nine divisions attacked three. Such odds have not been known before. ; The enemy dare not remain stationary. Desperate little battles are going on. In these one or two battalions hold up waves of Germans until their own line has fallen back orderly to defensive ground. I saw our riflemen yesterday at Poziercs bridge using the old trenches, which were full of undergrowth, and shooting Gennans as in the days of Ls Cateau. I saw a small party so weary of this endless battle that they could hardly walk, even by holding hands like tired children, hut their heads were held up gamelv ond they were undismayed.

Tlie whole movement of the British army is as orderly as if the men were in England. I can honestly say I have never seen an officer flurried.

Transport lorries only leave the road when it is untenable owing to the enemy shell fire. Camps are packed and stores removed as the Germans are reported to be mearer, and the headquarter;' staffs change their lodging to another chateau, or cottage. It is an amazing drama, 'because open warfare is a new thing. Though the menace of the enemy is strong and serious, and retirement, under the terrific pressure of the human avalanche is by no means pleasant, the British army retains its self-control, will power, hopefulness, and faith-

The Germans made no frontal attack on Nesle. They only entered it on Monday night. The enemy on Tuesday passed new divisions through the foremost storm troops- and made further thrusts at Roye and Hattencourt, but our army is confident it will defeat the enemy's plans of decisive victory. OUR GENERALS HAVE CONTROL. FRENCH HELP HIGHLY WELCOME. PUT NEW HEART INTO OUR SORELY TRIED MEN. Received March 27, 11.45 p-m. London, March 27. Mr. Gibbs continues: The British generals have control of the war machine from one end of the line to ther other. No British division has thus far been lost, however battered by the heroic lighting. The French divisions -were highly'welcome. They took the place of some of the Britishers who had fought the longest and made the greatest sacrifices. French help was particularly valuable on Sunday, when the Brandenburgers sought to enlarge the bridgehead at Ham,, We fell back after a desperate battle.

We held Libermont canal that night. It was a perilous winding line, but the French regiments" came up and mixed with our battalions, fighting in their midst and putting new heart into our men.

• The Germans on Monday further increased the pressure on both sides of Nesle.

OUR NEW POSITIONS. BRITISH, FRENCH AND AMERICANS. FIGHTING SHOULDER TO SHOULDER Received March 27, 11.25 p.m. London, March 27. The Press Bureau announces that there were no further attacks last night north of the Sommc, but local engagements, in which the enemy was repulsed. He did not attempt a serious attack. Our line north of the Somme now runs as follows: Bri'y, Albert, Beaumont Hamcl, Puiseunt Ayette Boiry Ilamel, Puiscunt, Ayolle, Boiry, Hcnin, Wancourt, just west of Monchy to the Suarpe, thence along the original front. The Germans have been attacking heavily south of the Sommc this morning, and captured Roye. The line here runs: Mericourt, Pozieres, west of Roye, west of Noyon. Fresh German divisions have been identified, including two of Guards and two of Brandcnburgers. The English, French and Americans are fighting shoulder to shoulder. French reinforcements are rapidly coming up. The enemy has been checked west of Roye and west of Noyon. Received March 27, 11.35 p.m. London, March 27. A French communique states: Our troops are solidly holding their positions on the left of the Oisc. Above Noyon fighting continues with undiminished violence on the Okbray sur Somme, Chaulnes, Roye and Noyon front.