ISOLATING THE BRITISH.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 March 1918, Page 5

ISOLATING THE BRITISH.

HINDENBULG'S ATTEMPT FAILS. WORST STACIE OF THE BATTLE OVER. ANGLO-FRENCH, RESERVES COMING INTO ACTION. Times Service. Rece.veil March 2!>, 5,5 p.m. London, March 28. , Analysing the latent information, the I imes say.s the British counter-attack, by recapturing Marlancourt. regained five miles of the Amiens thrust, which previously was twelve miles from the town. Another counter-attack just south of the Somme regained three miles. It is noteworthy that, both Hanks are standing fast, not giving the enemy the slightest opportunity in favor of a flank development.

A long range gun has been bombarding Dunkirk for several days, having fired about fifty shells. Five were killed, but the material damage is only slight.

London, March 28. Headquarters reports; In the past 2-1 hours the Germans have only made a trifling gain, the result -of numerous -massed attacks practieallyAall along our front, while we mnv claim several distinct local successes, either completely repulsing the blows or wresting back enemy gains by counter-attack.

-The German. high command continues the use of infantry with ruthless prodigality. The fact that the general pressure lms momentarily eased may he partly attributable to the enemy waiting to bring up heavy artillery, preparatory to another great effort, 'and partly to exhaustion. Needless to say we are taking every advantage of the temporary lull

Times Service. , Paris, March 28. On the strength of the latest news it is claimed that the Germans have been left with scant breath, whilst the Allies have already got their second wind. The chief topic is the outstanding fact that 'Hindenburg's attempt to isolate the British and cut their communieatioiß with Paris and the Channel has signally bailed.

French opinion is equally convinced that the worst stage of the battle has been passed,'and that the roads to Paris and Amiens are well covered with reserves of troops. M. Clenienceau (French Premier), addressing the Army Committee, said: "The moment is at hand when the French and British reserves 1 will be coming into action, and the battle will then assume a new aspect." FURTHER HEAVY FIGHTING. ENEMY IN GREAT STRENGTH. NEW ZEALANDERS ENGAGED. I Received March 2!), 11.50 p.m. London, March 28. The United Press states-there is heavy fighting westward of Beaumont Hamel. where the enemy is in great strength. The Germans yesternight launched attack after attack on positions at Rossignol Wood in. the same region, only to be hurled back. Hard fighting has taken place near Sailly Lorette. the British taking prisoners. There was a heavy bombardment this morning between Achevllle and the Souchez river,.but. no infantry attack. The weather is thretening.

Received March 29, 11.50 p.m. United Service. London, March 2S. The Australians took part in the battlo on Wednesday night. The New Zealanders are fighting at Buojuoy. A. and N.Z. Cable Assn. and Reuter. Received March 29, 11,50 p.m. London, March 28. The Press Bureau states that the one my during the night crossed the Somme southward near Chipully, »consequently our left flank south of the Somme was compelled to fall back towards ilai.iel. whither the line runs througlt' Lamotteens - Anterre, Caixvrely - Warvillers,

Southward of this point the French were pushed back yesterday night along the Rpyc-Breteuil road. The Gennsns entered the Mont Didier line, which runs from Warvillers through ArviUers, l)a----venscourt, Gratibus, Mesnil St. Georges

to Hainvillers. | The French this morning counter-at

tacked between Hinvillers and Ponticveque, south of Noyon, on a front of ten kilometres to a depth of three kilometres. French pressure in this area continues.

Our line north of the Somme is snbstiantially unchanged. We repulsed several night attacks in the neighborhood of Beaumont Hamel, Rossignol Wood ami northwest of luisieujo. The enemy in "the morning opened heavy bombardment north and south of the Scarpe, followed by an attack opposite Arras, with a minimum of seven divisions. They penetrated our forward zone, resulting in a tierce engagement. Our line now runs Arlenx-Fampou:;-Neu-ville St. Casts te-Boisleux, and thence is unchanged. The fighting has been severe. It is reported the enemy lost heavjly.