Papurau Newydd Cymru
Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru
28 erthygl ar y dudalen hon
I WEDNESDAY'S FRENCH OFFICIAL.
I WEDNESDAY'S FRENCH OFFICIAL. General Headquarters, t ranee, Wed- nesday-last evening and during the night the enemy. everywhere held and weakened by continual losses, was com- pelled to release his effort. The valour of our troops in defending tflie ground foot by foot, is ahoYc praise. We hold the line .Ecliell—St. Naurin- Be-au veins—north of Rassigny, in the neighbourhood s.outh of Noyon, on the left bank of the Oise. We repulsed dur- ing the night strong German reconnais- ances which attempted to reach our posi- tions north-west of Noyon. I There was intermittent bombardment on the rest of the front.
I FOE'S PROGRESS STOPPED
I FOE'S PROGRESS STOPPED — Our Reserves in Action. PARIS, Wednesday. The special correspondent of the ).Iavaf, Agency with the French Armies at the front writes:— On account of the violence of the enemy's attack, and the rapidity with which he was able at the first impact to gain a certain advantage of our strategic depositions, Our section was not able to operate as speedily as had been antici- pated. Nevertheless the rapid inter- vention of the Frouch Army on the right di the British was im- xnediately successful in retarding t the enemy's tbrust. whicll is now being brought to a standstill. It would be childish to count the losses of the enemy if he at the price of any sacrifice, however great, were to obtain decisive results; but when, notwithstand- ing excessive losses, the enemy fails to attain bis objective, he is confronted with a serious problem. AWFUL SLAUGHTER. On Monday two entire divisions advanc- ing towards the battle front were almost completely annihilated before they were ablo to fire a single shot by machine-gun fire and bomhe from about 120 aero- planes. It 'was -largely due to the timely, intervention of the French troops that enabled the positions to be re-established, and'that all, 1m. mediate danger has been averted. Our reserve of infantry, artillery, and war material are constantly arriving, as the battle is being Continued iji conditions whech are becoming nio.t) and more fa- vourable to us.
-OUR RESERVES.I
OUR RESERVES. I Jt'A-KiK, Tuesday (received Wednesday). M. Abratni, the Under-Secretary for War, speaking in the afternoon in the Lobby of the Chamber to several deputies, gave an account of the military situation, of which the following is a summary:- After aiming severe attacks against the British troops, the Germans are now hurl- ing themselves upon the powerful French Army which awaits them, quite fresh, and animated by an unimag-inable spirit of sacrifice, and protected by such a curtain of artillery fire as is difficult to conceive. This Army. which has been conveyed to the battlefield by rail and by every possible means of transport, has not yet fired a single shot from a rifle or a machinc-gun. The forces which have so far delayed the onward march of the tnumy wt-re- only a few independent divisions. Ou the other hand the formidable British reserve of manoeuvre aie nov.' arriving on the field 0' battle, so that mt) hr?>t<ili'<j St Uifft by the enemy can only "be recorded as j temporary. This declaration was received with patriotic emotion by the crowd of Deputies, Senators, and journalists which had gathered in the qu:«t for infor- mation at Palais Bourbon, which did not depart for an instant from its wonted c,al 'T Franklin Bouillon. President of the Foreign Affairs Committee, also speaking in the Lobby of the Chamber, said: "I consider that the situation, although serious, should be viewed with serenity. As a matter of fact, all immediate danger has apparently been averted. Our resenes of infantry, artillery and war material are now continually arriv- ing, and the battle is being c-ontinuedoin conditions which are becoming more and more favourable for us." ————— —————
HARASSED ENEMY. I
HARASSED ENEMY. I From SIR DOUGLAS HAIG. Tuesday, 9.20 p.m. On the 26th inst. our aeroplanes were employed almost entirely in bombing the enemy's troops and transport massed in the areas behind the battle front and in attacking them with machine-gun fire from a low height. A total of 22 tons of bombs were dropped by us in this work, and over 100,000 rounds were fired from machine- guns. All our pilots reported that the ground target offcred by the enemy sur- passed description, and that they were able to drop their bombs with accuracy and to fire with effect right into the centre of infantry battalions in close for- mation, and into columns of cavalry and tiansport. A certain amount of fighting in the air ke.ok joloe-e intense than 0'1 the pravu'.HS day. (nirt>een hostile machines were brought down by our aero- planes, zatiti ten v.ere driven down out of control. Eight of our machines arc ing. The majority of our casualties were caused to low-flving machines by rire from the ground. During the night our night-flying aero- planes continued to ljonib and to attack with machine-gun fire the enemy's troops in his forward areas and his transport on the roads leading to the front.
GERMAN GENERAL KILLED.!
GERMAN GENERAL KILLED.! Amsterdam, Tuesday (received Wednes- day).—General Bloch von Bloitnitz was killed on March 22nd during the fighting near St. Quentin when commanding an infantry division.
TAKEN ILL IN A SHOP,I
TAKEN ILL IN A SHOP, I Mrs. Fala, of Aberavon, wife of the Deputy lfarlx>ur Master at Port Talbot, was taken seriously ill whilst shopping "n High-street, Swansea, on Wednesday, and conveyed to the Swansea Hospital.
.--:-I IN SWANSEA EAST. ,
IN SWANSEA EAST. It is stated that Mr. I. J. n-iMiains has I now definitely decided to contest. Swansea E.1t at the next election. This, of course. J includes Morriston, part of H;rfod, and St. i Thomas..
| SEQUEL TO ACCIDENT. 1
| SEQUEL TO ACCIDENT. On\A?npFd<).v.?m.!?cs.;)??doS.o. Britonierry, died at the Swansea Hcopiܡ]. Britonlerry, dicl it 1,e ?o, l aftC'r an acc'dent, suffering from ixjuiio i 10 };l-tjl If'8. j
ENEMY DESPERATION TO1 FORCE…
ENEMY DESPERATION TO FORCE DECISION. ZONE OF OPEN WARFARE FRANCE, Wednesday. The Press Association special corres- pondent says:—Slowly the zone of open warfare continues to enlarge as we fall back, lighting before enormous weight of numbers. Having failed to break through and begin rolling-up tactics, the Ger- mans are now tied down to pushing against our lines, which they continue to do with full pressure of their mas-ses. In consequence of our going back, doggeedly fighting every yard of ground, the enemy has thrown in his reserves -ver-T much more rapidly than he had in- tended,, in his desperate effort to force a decision. WEARING HIMSELF DOWN. He is, therefore, wearing himself down. though, of COUT,, tiring us in the proc.. • During yesterday afternoon heavy fight- ing took place around Albert, and the enemy also massed in Meaulte, where our artillery steadily and heavily -.hilled thiml until it was too dark any longer to see the dense human targets. A determined thrust towards \Veky Wood was beaten back. HUNGRY PRISONERS. Overhead was the constant whirl of machine-guns mingling with the. our aeroplanes flying low and raki^ar toll of hostile formations. Prisoners complain d the rations reach- jng the front line. A large oroportion of the German soldiers it-e, now very hungry.
THE -NEXT -PHASE.
THE NEXT PHASE. PARIS, Wednesday. Expert French Commentator writ- ing this morning e;ays;- The terrific battle has reached its sixth day. The struggle continues with dread- ful violence. Between the Scarpe and the Oise the German forces, constantly fed by the arrival of fresh divisioit-, are engaged, without eeasing, as though they were inexhaustible. Tlte enemy made some progress to-day, but the advance was much less rapid than during the preceding day. One can now foresee the moment when sivo effort will be brought to a standstill by the inevitable exhaustion which wli! follow this forward leap, and the need of waiting for the movement of his artil- lery. Then there will certainly result a solidifying of our front, and, doubtless, before many days have -.passed* » re- joinder from our side. ■ j For the rest, the outcome of the hatth' will decide. The battle front now fol- lows approximately a line passing wfft of Bapaume and Combles, by ErdlJer¡; JJihucourt, Biefvilliers, Grcvilliers, Irk*. and Miraumont, where the. Germans crossed the Ancre.. < It then passed by Courlette Poziefes on the Albert-Bapaume road. leaving Albert on the west and joining the Somme again at Bray. Then the line; reaches Chaulnes and follows the railway by Hattencourt to Roye, whence it runs to Noyon, which town our .soldiers evacu- ated last night. Enemy columns under General von Below and Von Der Marwitz lure march- ing in the direction of Amiens by the Albcrt-Bapaume road and the Valley of I the Somme. Gen. Hesacker, who crossed the Somme immediately to the South or Peronne, opposite La Maisonnette, they are advan- cing by way of Baiches tc)wards,the same objective. The Army of General Hutier, near Chantnes and Noyon, vis endeavour- ing to pass down the Valley of the Oise, the left bank of whioh the French Divi- sions, [Histed on the heights overlooking Noyon, are now firmly holding. In the principal sector the Germans have made no progress cince yesterday, and can still leas force passage of the river. On other parts of the front our armies are bringing to our British Allies their valia.nt support. Such is to-day the gene- ral outline of the battle front. It is cer- tain, however, that a oombat of such an extent is subject to great fluctuations, re- sulting fi"n the entry into the fighting line of numerous reserves. The German reserves are heing,hurled without respite and without counting the cost into the furnace, and are nielt;,Ig rapidly. Ours, on contrary, are only now- beginning to make themselves felt. It is only a fractional part o-f our Army (not even ten divisions) which has so far been flunj^into the battle.
PEOPLE WARNED. I
PEOPLE WARNED. The Berne correspondent of the 1forD- hig Post" writes:— It would seem that the German public lost their heads when they read in the newspapers of the brilliant victory achievcd over the main British Army, and could not contain their^lee over the prose- pect of existence without the terrible pri- vations they now have to endure. They are now reir.in:!ed that the gigantic strug- gle is only ju?t beginning, and are admon- mhed to follow the course of events in re- -pcc?'ul?npncc. The Frankfurter Zeitairig devoted most of its front page yesterday to a dis- quisition on the offensive. Germany's present aim, as defined by the Emperor, is merely to compel the enemy to conclude peace. Germany's success or failure will not be determined by. the attainment or non-attainment of a certain position or line. Her aini will he achieved only wlicii the enemy's will (o war is broken. A LIMITED OBJECTIVE. It is noteworthy that' the war corre- spondent of the same paper. writing from the Western front, says: "crdv will be so simple-minded as to believe that we attach much importance to the gaining of a larger or smaller strip-of devastated France. Our object was to make the self- confident enemy feel lonce again the sharp- ness of the German sword, and that object has been attained." The Frankfurter Zeitung itself assures the public that the American troops do not play an im- port-ant role at the front. SHORT OF FOOD. The very important statement is pub- lished in the German newspapers that the supply of bread corn is running short. The quantity of bread corn that produ- cers are authorised to use for their own consuniplion has, the public is informed by Wolff's Bureau, been reduced from 8l t > 6t kilogrammes per head per month, Wolff's Bureau adds that this measure will remain in force only until the stock of cereals is replenished by supplies com- ing from Ukraine and the occupied coun- trie's. It would almost seem, ,however. that t hese supplies will not be as ahun- daiit as has been anticipated, and that the German Government withheld the h:H1 tKws until the offensive had sta^/d. i < r
IODESSA RE-TAKEN
ODESSA RE-TAKEN BLOODY BATTLE FOR IMPORTANT GRAIN PORT A Renter's message on Wednesday says an official telegraph agency announces the recapture of Odessa by loyal Soviets and reclaimed troops, after a bloody tight. The naval forces also co-operated suc- cessfully in the battle. j HEAVY LOSSES INFLICTED. Moscow, March 21st (received Wcdnee- j day).—Severe fighting has taken place in Ukraine between Soviet troops and the adherents of Kieff Rada supported by Germain. On March 19tli— Soviet troops took the offensive against the Germans near Yorobjua Station, and i:Hicted heavy loss on them besides taking pri- I soners. Konotop was captured by boviet troons. A GERMAN ADVANCE. Moscow, March 23 (received Wednesday. -The Germans arc continuing their i advance on the southern front, and have concentrated their main forces at Buc- watch. It is-reported that a big battle began near Mirgorod between the Soviet forces t and the «ombincd Austro-IIungariaa and Ukraine aic i-e- ported. A ths: Black Sea squadron are arriving from Odessa with the intention of bombarding the town.
OUR AMAZING DEFENCE.
OUR AMAZING DEFENCE. very nearly two-thirds of the entire strategic reserve of the German Army has now been thrown into the fierce ami \igjr- ou.l v continued attack. Thi* German i's- mxt ve consisted of 85 divisions [possioly 1,275,000 men] out of the total iiamber, now reaching not far short oi 200 fpos j eibly 3,000,000 men j, which they have upon the Western front. Alter tne first day 33 of theee were put into the biLL. Ou the third day another 21 arc- known to have taken thef r places in the line. Since then they msi.-t have drawn upon tLe re- serve for a It is clear from this that we have been struggling with tha whole available I etreuglh of tl.e German Army, and tue marvel is that our soldiers have held out so obstinately and steauily agaiimt onus so heavily aga-.n-t them. Whai the German High Command-aims at 's plainly the in- tUciion of a kuock-out blow upon toe lira- tish Army. V, hat our men have done since Tbnrs- day has been to bear the brunt oi the -v. i• of the German s ledgehammer. Our j 4roiv is not defeated. It has withdrawn from otic i lie io another in good order, an d without anything approaehing rout j or panic.—Hamilton vyfe xn the Daily Mail." FACTORS WHICH COUNT. Most Hopeful Feii'jre of the DLay. Tins day's German advance is nowhere of great depth." We have evidence that ia spite of the splemlid weather which i asoisis his mObitiry. the eheiriy Infantry [ ?zi getting 't)ey?nd his ?un<. "a* it is dth- "ult to avoid in any advance, ?nd b"I ar- ljllp!y is uow .wable to play anything like the part in tile b.tUlp which 't "0'"? Ho cojttinuM, in the earliest stages. lie continues, i however, throwing m new troops with [ the same rapictity, nd the number of men he has HOW put into the battle miist be enormous. j New tfoops have bcpn in cvidfno? each day. How much of that great reserve ie kit now it is impt?-sib?e to say exactly. This is an obviously hopeful feature, of lIic situation. i On the otner hand we now have new reserves, availa ble, and the French, of who1*; co-operation I have already opoken, have continued their most valuable assist- ance, in addition tp which is the extra- ordinary work being done by our air force. The losses of machines and pilots inflicted -on the enemy lurve been pro- digious and must hamper him badly, while the continual embarrassment which our flying men are causing by bombing and by low flying over his troops is of enormous value as a contribution to the battle. i A il tlieit are factors which reduce the ultimate importance of the enemy's im- mediate territorial gains. They are all working on our side, and, what is most.! important of all, the spirit of our men remains superb. Here, writing from the spot, and find- ing words incapable of expressing all-one wants to say, one has an uncomfortable feeling that perhaps you people at home will think that a correspondent talks too much of the valour of-our men when tnat valour ends always in a withdrawal. {' Yet history, I believe, w hen all is known, will he amazed at what British troops have done here in the la-t five days. I have yet to hear of a unit which has not borne itself bravely or to hear an oiffcer speak in other terms than those of the utmost gratitude to and admiration of his men. The mere physical strain has been enormous, but men come out of the line clinging (:I¡ the last to the one definite notion that their business is to go "n fighting and kill Kobiu- ,um in the", Daily News.
DR. VAUGHAN THOMAS. 0, I
DR. VAUGHAN THOMAS. 0, Dr. Vaughan Thomas. Swansea has I accepted an important appointment as musical examiner under the (Æntral Wd."h Board. His new duties will not ll('Ceitatt. his removal from wåna.
w - - - I .NO HOLIDAYS. I
w NO HOLIDAYS. Mr. Churchill's appeal to munition workers has aroused a patriotic rally on the Clyde. Already several thousand have announced their intention of can- celling the spring holidays fixed for Mon- day. Em ployea at SOIlle works at Dal- mutr decided at a mass meeting.not only to forego the week-end vacation, but to woik any extra shifts necessary to in- crease the output. The workers. hot h men and women, at the Royal ilJall Arms Factory, Enfield. will give up their holiday.
[No title]
All tlie. films at Pontycymmcr Cinema. South Wales, were destroyed by fire on Tuday., Many children were rescued. The marriage of Mr. W. Recs Jones, the j popular and well known outfitter, of Top Shop," Britonferry, to Miss Edith I Morgan, youngest daughter of the late j Mr. William Morgan, manager of the Britonferry Steel Works, and or Mrs. 1 Morgan. Danygraig. was solennsed at on Wednesday morning, the Rev. T. Hughes and Gwyn Thomas officiating, j The bride, who wn? givc!? away by her uncte. Mr. Dd. 'DMmas. J.r.. Go'-s?inor. was matly attired in a fawn costume with hat to match. The best iiiali was Mr. D. i.ewii.
TOWN TALK.
TOWN TALK. Young Pontardulais colliers made a magnificent rally to the Colours over the week-end. — ro:— War bonuses to the Neath teachers will date from April 1st, 1917. More fool the purse! --0- Fdnes imposed at Neath County Senior.- ran into three figures. The "Justice o. pronteerinpl — X):— Does th new summer time affect the hour by which a man on the sick fund of a benefit club hae to be indoors? — :o:— Some hardy youngsters from Brynmill were so stimulated by Sunday's sunshine that they went down to the sands and bathed. 0. The medical officers and relieving offi- cers in the Neath Union will see to the national registration of the blind. This is foresight 1 -'0'- Prominent, among the United Service Brigade members marching in yesterday's procession was ex-Sergt. Fuller, V.CL, who Yore his cross of valour. — :Or— It behoves plot-holders to go easy just now. Although we are experieceing summer-like weather, there has been a white frost this last couple of mornings — :o.— A gardening contemporary states that acme celery seed known to be forty years old was sown last summer, and 50 per cent. germinated. Not too old at 40! A recent convert to teetotalism declarc- that Cray water, unlike beer, is quite up to the pre-war standard. The toper, hewever, finds in the assurance but cold i-oinicrt. — :o:— A dear old Swai sea woman says f ii- although her son has received exemption he is doing good work with the V.C.'s. She means the V.T.C. kl),E- pardon, the G.V.R.'sL — :o:— Matches may be scarce in Swansea, but a irood many anxious people.ware observer leading the communique outside the C.P.O. late on Sunday night by the light of the lucifer. —: o: — Pontyberem, a growing mining villus in Carmarthenshire, is in a position which for uniqueness it would be haul to bear, It is seated to be in five parishes and two unions. • —:o: — The ecclesiastical clock on the tower of St. David's Church. Neath, is out of fashion. For sex years .the hands have remained at 12.50. And it's ten to one if it will ever go agnin -:0:- A Swansea schoolgirl, asked to write a list of notable Welshmen, gave t\'(' throe—Lloyd George, Lord Rhondda. and Victor Evans. Thiis is fame. indeed, t ,tl r local food controller: Over SO per cent. of the tradesmen i.* « "ortam township near Swansea are u r ing from serious physical defeei Voiding 1n their various tales to unteering recruiting officers! -;0:- Hen Wiad fy hadan" is the nat.'om anthem of Wales. We only mention tL- for iear some people at Swansea have tor- gotten. At the front, Welsh regiment- receive it-as our N ational anthem. — :o ;— A Trebanos tradesman has solved the nuisance of being pestered for goods a.tcr hours. 1-i a notice placed in his window- he points out most emphatically that anyone knocking at the back door will only meet with refusal — .-o:— According to Mr. John Williams, there was a school in Swansea in 1825 whi-h kept a barber to look after the-boys' hair. With tho present prices, there are lots of Swarsea parents who wish the curri- culum included hair cuts. — io:— This is the da'tbf' boy, A Mount Pleasant mother was yesterday telling her son, a<ged eleven, that hh tA. now .? much, "he would h&ve to go to work and earn some money." Can't," re- plied the boy, "there's a new Act come in. — TO: That 75-mile range gun might be camou- flaged in Carmarthen and shell Caxdiff. which would be well within range in the straight line. It is an awful thought, and the best, way to recover a cheerful smile is by putting one's last- ounce into war loan and war service A perfect mirage was witnessed from tie top of Langland Hill OIl Sunday morning. A bright sun shining on the dense low-lying mist caused a clear re- ■ flection of the incoming waters and sands of the bay on the surface of the mist which slowly disappeared, as the cloud was dissipated. —o:— A quartet of Army officers were jn strong evidence in the religious services of Swansea on Sunday. Capt. M. Watcyn Williams, M.C., was the speaker at a Brotherhood meeting, Lieut. Moriey Wil- liaIll occupied the pulpit at St. Paul s. and Capt. Bevan and Lieut. Owen sang at the Central Hall. to The ;j»idents of a certain part of Swanseil; were greatly worried over » very curious noise going on outside a new arrival's house each night about 11 or 12 o'clock. Laet night one of them could stand" it no longer, and looked out through the window. Behold! The ncv nrijinbour was scrubbing the front Few Benches can beat the reeorc those of the Gower division for length < service by the a grp."t unpaid." Sir Ho" Morris has held the commission for 1' years: Mr. E. L. Forrester^for 32 Col. S. M. Benson for 21 years; and F. J. Benpon for 20 years. Four with a joint record of 121 —: 0: Shipbuilding, it is said, flourished Neath Abbey 300 years ago. Early in century, the industry was in the bar of enterprising Qi-.ab-ers-tbe Prices—a.v was also the great iron wdrk- iieir by. The last vessel built at the place was ;• -teamship of considerable size, and christened Neath Abbey," which for many years plied as a trader bet wren Xeath and Bristol. -:Os- About the most expedition- appoint- ment upon record in Swansea was the selection of Mr. Arthur Ricliards's suc- cessor as registrar. At the meeting at which the resignatim was received, the Guardians also made the appointment. We are fold that there were four candi- dates. The question naturally arises how they became aware of the prospective vacancy; We have not a word to say against the gentleman who has secured the post, temporarily. As far as we are aware, he is the most suitable man for the job. But is it not usual to advertise vacancies?
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I- - - - - - - ip [ [The Week…
I ip [ [The Week s War Story. ¡ jUHPABALELLED WORLD BATTLE t GERMANY SSPEKIFMCES I 1' WELSHMEN DEFY DEATH. 'j' I > r .-Our last week's story of the war ended .[faith a brief recital of the opening of the Wong-expected great onensive of the Ger- Htru-.n-s. At that time, although c'reum- to indicate that the opera- 1 itiong reported were definitely part of the [• nemy's programme, there was no actual ,tainty that we were entering upon the paost Stupendous battle that the world j&a? ever seen. But we did not have to t?ait long for full confirmation of the ?t;torv, for the late British Omoia.1 com- januniquc, timed as being ent from France iat 10.50 o'clock that nig'ht amplified the toeagre paragraphs which' we then. quoted, tand as it was an historic event, it is only > isright that the General Headquarters' re- jjport should be placed on record as part tof the week's story of the war. It was i (ttes:— ITHE OPENING OF THE BATTLE. At about S a.m. this morning, after an intense bombardment of both high ex- ftiosire and ga? shells on forward posi- rtion,- and back areas, a powerful infantry ¡'!Hack was launched by the enemy on a '?rout of over 50 miles, extending from the fliiver Oise. in the neighbourhood of La i'l'ere (12 nicies south of St. Quentin) to the •Sendee River about Croissi-lles ( 7 miles (front h-east of A rras) hostile artillery (demonstrations have taken place on a jrsride front north of the La Bassee Canal •and in the Ypres sector. The attack, ?hich for Home time past was known to ?be in the cour;? Qf preparation, has been pressed, with the greatest vigour and de- iteriniijation throughout the day. In the {?&urse oj' the fighting the enemy broke through our outpost positions, and sUO' :E'd iff penetrating into our battle poei- v Ltioas in certain partB œ the front. The attacks were dcLivered With large maases. nd have been extremely costly to the 'I 'hostile troops ensra??d, whœe lœseE> have [been ext?ptionally heavy. Severe fight- Sng continues along the whole front Large I numbers of hostile reinforcing troops have jibeen observed during the day moving for- ward behind, the enemy's lines. Several j" it neli-iy divisions, which' have been .specially -,iined for this great attack, have alreadv I Iwn identified, including units of the jGuards. Captured maps depicting the ienemy's intentions show that on no part I the long front attack has he attsaiined ;Lis objectives." i rHE ENEMY'S OBJECT. t On Friday, in the vivid comments and jfPXpl anatory notes which came to hand, we Here told by Mr. Phillip "Gibbs:—"The mod kite endeavour of the enemy seems I obvious. It as an enlargement of his f,trate-gical plan in the attack of 30 to^aiti'st the lines we held after the first KJambrai battle, and it covers the game ground, on a much wider boundary, I He appears to be assaulting both brings of the salient between the Scarpe ttii-I the south end of the Flesquieres Ridge In order to cut qff all the intervening ground, which includes ITavringcourt f hvood and Velu Wood, the line south of JMorohies and Beaumetz, and a stretch of 4!io country east and south-east of apaullle, which he abandoned to us in 3> 13 retreat last March after the battles of Jthe Somme. By a rapid turning movement from fcftth wings ]ie would hops to capture ffuanr of our men and guns. It is a tuenace which cannot be taken Tightly, fcnd at the present moment our troops are /trhtinsr not only for their own lives, but h:"o for the fate of England and all our ,a'ace. tHE ATTACK NO SURPRISE. But though many of them were incredu- lous of a great attack, they had bwn fully "Warned and fully trained, and were on the alert day and night. By labour that lever ceased they -wired-in cheir positions ,it.h acres of wire and strengthened their defences and made their gun positions, t ?nd wore their gas ma&k s so often an<l so ? ?'ng that it has became a habit with ?hem. His attack has been no surprise, for it Aas been expected every day. though many people without evidence—the amateur I-ri,ib-c and th'3 arm«-chair strategist—have professed to know that it was all bluff. "-ithout the same excuse of courage which blade some -(if -oiir men doubtful, though *>I> vn them would fall the brunt of it. It is not bluff, so fa.r as fo-day's battle fchows, but. anpears to be the real thing In all its brutal force." j* THRILLING STORY. 0 t From French opinions expressed ( t11en in a position-to judge, came declara- tions of the determination of the Germans Ho secure a decision, and for that purpose ,)Qd thrown many divisions into the "nflict, all German troops Iiaviui: been Removed from the East-, "leaving Austria" "'0 guard the Eastern front. In the initial attack some of the Kaiser s bej^vesnj Guards, and the pick of Germany's storm- ing troops, aided by some Austrians, and t'f:t, although, took part as might have ibeen antitfipated, a forward ru-di was tuader at colossal loss to the enemy, two or three indents being made in the British tones, French experts declared that the first big move might well be regarded as at failure, as the objective of the Germans ifcere nut reached in a single instance. Much has. however, happened feien, and the thrilling accounts furnished f how our gunners, standing steadily 'at ,their posts, wearing gas masks, ^own the German infantry who advanced, wave after wave, in mass formation, indi- cated the fierce character of the fighting bn both sides. VtHE UNBROKEN LINE. 4 Heavy fighting continued until a late our on Friday night on flie wliole battle (tont. During the "afternoon cf that, day, 4X;werful hostile attacks delivered with a Cr(,cit w,,i,-ht of infantry and artillery, ,I)-roke through our defensive system we?t St.Quentin, but (and in the light of Sir fbougles Haig's later declaration, that our tille is unbroken, notwithstanding the or- •j I ijerlvretreat which took place, this is important to npte) our troops on' this Ipart, of the front fell back in good oixler fa prepared posifone further wast. I4 ri- i*lay night's official adds:— If Our lows have inevitably beer, con- Riderable, but not out of proportion to the magnitude of the battle. From re- ports received from all parts of the battle- front the enemy's losses continue to )C very havy and his advance has elsewhere l'ILlen made at a great sacrifice. Our jtroopg are fighting with the grc:Ui,-t j<allantrj..Wlion all rauke and all. of every arm have behaved so well it is difficult at this stage of the battle to distinguish instances. Exceptional gal- lantry has been shown, however, by troops of the 21th Division in the pro- tracted defence of La Vasquiere, and by the 3rd Division, who maintained their positions in the neighbourhood of Croselles, and to the north of that village against repeated attacks. A very gallant tight was made by the 51st Division also in the neighbourhood of the Bapaume- Cambrai road against repeated attacks. Identifications made in the course of the battle show that the enemy's opening at- tacks were delivered by some 40 German divisions, supported by great numbers of German artillery, reinforced by Austrian batteries. Many other C-rornian divisl have since taken part in the fighting, and others are arriving in the battle area." On Monday we were told that t o great was the. enemy's rush that fresh troops were being pushed forward by him with- out artillery support, relying upon their s heer weight of numbers. It was stated that throughout the long hours of Sunday's brilliant sunshine, fIDd the bright moon- lit night which followed, the Germans. continued their crushing tactics, while, our troops fought their way to the rear- ward posit ions with valiant stubbornness, and on Monday morning the British' began counter-attacking between Nesle. I and Ham. Of "ir-so, these \were loo? counter-attacks. MONDAY'S NEWS. There was necessarily some see-saw fighting, positions lost being regained by us and afterwards given up. South of l'eronne bodies of German troops who had crossed the river between Licourt and Brie were driven back to the east bank by our counter-attack. Then on Monday afternoon one heard of tha French joining in, on the 23rd, relieving a part of the Alied fotees and taking up the struggle on their own ae- count in that sector of the. front, carrying on a severe combat in the region of Noyon, and disputing the possession of the heights on the right bank of the Oise against important German forces, the French official stating, that north-west of Rheims there were heavy artillery en- gagements in the Courcy-Loivre- region. In Champagne two enemy surprise at- tacks have failed to the east of Suippe. Our patrols took some prisoners near Tahure. There was great artillery activity between Arra.court and the Vosges. At daybreak the enemy attacked our lines to the east of Badonvillera. lIe was repulsed (with heavy losses. ENEMY'S HEAVY SACRIFICE. Early on Monday night our own War Office summed up the position, at that time, in these words: Our troops, though tired, are in good heart, and a.re lighting splendidly, and the enemy is only progressing at the cost of heavy sacri- lices." The momentum of the German on- slaught on Monday may be taken as having been felt mainly between Arras and Peronne. Von Bulow's and Von der Maa'witz's forces wore thrusting rlnto the old fighting ground around Bapaume to- wards Courcelette. In the morning the tide was stemmed, but against fresh forces flung in during the afternoon our troops were compelled to give ground west and south-west of Bapaume. At points near Maricourt the Germans reached the old trenches of lqilf). Now, following the story up, it is &I well to point out that SQuth. of Peronne at several points we have left the line of the Somme, for farther south the enemy had pushed through to Nesle and Guiv card. The German headquarters report says ,i that the prisoners now number more than .45,000, and that many more than. 600 guns and great suppV.es of stores have been captured. Our losses in material have undoubtedly been heavy, and include a certain number of tanks. THE WELSH IN THE FIGHT. One of the many incidents of the week is that of the Welsh in the defence of Vaulx-Vraucourt. It was reported on Tuesday, and evidently referred to the previous day or Sunday, the enemy was attacking furiously against St. Le.^er and Vaulx-Vraucourt (four miles north-east of Bapauiiie). Early, in the afternoon they entered the latter village, which lies in a hollow between bare meadows. It was thought for a time they had occupied it. but Kngiish and Welsh units, ai- though subjected to a destructive fire, would not abandon the ruins, and about four o'clock a staff officer, who walked quietly through the village, found men still breasting the bombardment and re- fusing to give ground. Shortly before in the evening, the Gennans worked round sout h-cast of Yaulx-\ rancouri, ajul our troops fell back to another prepared position. THE GREAT FEATURE. But the outstanding feature (¡f the week- is that, after hit, huge efforts, his prods'- gal .sacrifice of li's own men. the enemy is now obliged to stop fighting in'order to avail himself of an opportunity tc -draw K?Mfc'??-Ttt' \¡JL  ) front to meet ou?' men. AIM CmV. news which came to hand .to us on Tu«*- d: ■' afternoon. The high road between Bapaume aM" Amiens is over a of ridges and bills. H is stated that the decisive battle will be fought south of the Somme. Brought to a standstill is the latest. OUR.GLORIOUS MEN. In looking over the war story of the week. in its various phases, one is con- strained to repeat, with a writer wnose facilities of observation arc unique— Once more, in the memorable phrase of Napier's account of 'Alhuera, it has been <j tseen with what a strength and maiests the Brit/sh soldier fights." The glorious resistance our men are offering to all the might and all the passion of the enemy has won for them the respect and admira- tion of our Allies. It ha already borne practical fruit in the United States by securing the immediate passage of impor- tant war measures which had been Uang- ing fire, and the President has telegraphed to Sir Douglas Haig congratulating him upon it, and declaring once 3,gnin hes un- shaken confidence in victory. The Prime Minister, in the name of the Cabinet, has assured the Army, through the Comman- der-in-Chief, that this conifdence ns not. less firm at home. The nation see in t kis tremendous battle U the enemy's last des- perate effort to trample down the free nations of the world." The King nrore briefly expresses in a few well-chosen sen- tences the thoughts or all his peoples. All reah'se "the fprtitude. courage, and self- sic'ifi■" of this and fie Empire, "calm and coutid nt in its wvldiere." bt\!r« the blowing of TIeaven in lhi time ci t»rial." ..1 -f
I WEDNESDAY'S BHtTtSH OFFtOAL.
WEDNESDAY'S BHtTtSH OFFtOAL. General HeadqfKii ters, France, As a result of the enemy attacks on i Tuesday afternoon and evening astrdde the Somme, our troops on both banks were forced back for a short distance. In the neighbourhood of Bray, heavy, attack made o?rly in the night ag2an,A our i)?w Line south of the &>mmü ?as rppn?ed after 6<?'M'e Ag'htin?. :U one point in the neighbourhood of the river the enemy forced his way into our positions, but was thrown oack by our counter-attacks. Further local fighting has taken place also north and north-east of Albert, hut the situation on this part of tfie battle- front remWns unchanged.
h'AIG'S INSPIRING ORDER OF»THEl…
h'AIG'S INSPIRING ORDER OF»THEl ) DAY. The following Special Order of the Day, dated March 23rd, has been issued by Field Marshall Sir Douglas Haig for the information of troops in France and Flanders:— To all Ranks of the British Array in France and Flanders. IVe are again at a crisis in the war. The enemy has collected on this front every available division, and is aiming at the dertmction of tha Britdeli Array. We have already inflected on the enemy in the course of the last two days very heavy losses, and the French are sending troops as quickly as possible to our support. I feel that every one in the Army, fully realising how much depends on the exertions and steadi'aslness of each one of us, will do his utmost to prevent the enemy from attaining his object.
! -LUDENDORFF'S -PLAN. ____I
LUDENDORFF'S PLAN. I Amsterdam, Tuesday.—The war corre- spondent of the Vcr?-t?rts learns from authoritative source at Headquarters that it was General von Ludendorif "ho choee the Cambr-ai-La Fero section of the front for the attack, and that he is also the author of the plan to break through on an unprecedented width of nearly 100 kilometres.
I THE BATTLE-LINE.
THE BATTLE-LINE. Tee War Office, issued the following on Tacsday:— The enemy made no further attacks dur- ing the night of the 25th-26th on our front north of the Sonime. During the afternoon there have been local engagements on this part of thE) battlefront, in which the enemy has been repulsed, but he has attempted no serious attack. The line north of the Somme now runs: Bray—Albert—Be?umont flabiel-Pusi-eux Ayette Boiry — Henin—Wancourt. jusi- west of Monchy to the Scarpe, and thence along OUl, original front. The Germans have been attacking heavily south of the Somme this morning and took Roye at 10.30 a.m. The line there appears to run from Mprieourt, on the Somme, through liosderes, wes t of Roye and west of Noyon. Fresh German divisions have been identified .in this area, including two Guard and two Brend-enburg divisions. On this part of the battlefield British, French and American troops are fighting shoulder to shoulder, and French re- inforcements are rapidly coming rp. I The enemy has been checked west of Rfe and Noyon.
I__LUDENDORFF TALKS. !
LUDENDORFF TALKS. Amsterdam, Tuesday.—The. Berlin "Tag Zeitung" publishes an account by Herr Scheuermann, its war correspondent, of a visit paid by him and other correspon- dents to Gen. Ludendt)rffk who is re- ported to have said: A great battle has been fought and a victory has been gained. Nobody, how- ever can foresee what will be the result from it." General Ludendorff, after praising the tenacious resistance of the British, con- tinued that the British believed they could rely on the strength of- machinery. The employment of tanks, and -a too abundant supply of machine-guns in trenches are. typical of their warfare. thin lyj j rtte d 0,, t- General Ludendorif then pointed out that the advancing German infantry had hardly had one night's proper rest during the five or six days the battle has been proceeding, and added, in a battle like ?bhis an infantryman must risk his %?<i)  .?t??!y ,'fJf.' ?"? ??t?n?'-?.v. w, ?•••. | j he nroeeft from trench to trench.
I PAID TOO DEARLY.¡
PAID TOO DEARLY. Zurich, Tuesday.—Commenting on the German losses and the eventual outcome of the present offensive on the Western irout. Colonel Egli, the well known mili- tary critic of the Basler Naehrichten," writes:— Rejwrts regarding the German losses are contradictory, hut a continuance of the uifeD?ivc will show how they stand. Tho (krman successes 50 far are great, but the final decision in their favour has* Dot yPt been achieved. To accomplish this the attack will have to )? continued until the nritih rf?i?tuncc poUapses. The great French r<?rv<? 'have abo not yet entered the fight. If the German command have paid too dearly for their first success, then their strength to com- plete the work begun will be prematurely exhausted.
IFRENCH TAKE OVERI
I FRENCH TAKE OVER I French General Headquarters, France, Tuesday, 11 p.m. « Our troops are firmly holding their positions on the left bank of the Oi' near Noyon. I Fighting continues with undiminished violence on the whole front of Bray-sur- Somme, Chaulnes, Roye, and Noyon. There is nothing to report from the rest of the 'front. If it is understood that the French are now holding the line from Bray souilt- wftrd, it follows that they have taken over a further 15 miles or more of J. Croat to rc'vjve the British. j j
GUNS FROM RUSSIA. I
GUNS FROM RUSSIA. I Petrograd, Monday.—A telegram from Dvinsk says that at a Grand Council of War, held by the German generals, pre- sided over by Field-Marshal Ton Hind?n- burg, it was decided to reduce the opera- He. to a minimum in Ukraine in order to throw against the Franco-British front all the artillery now in use on the eastern front. -0-