Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 62, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 March 1918 — WAR’S GREATEST BATTLE BEGINS [ARTICLE]

WAR’S GREATEST BATTLE BEGINS

DESTINIES OF MILLIONS MAY HINGE ON BATTLE NOW BEING WAGED. Exactly twenty-five months after the Germans began the historic battle of Verdun, the thunder of their guns deepened into a tempest of fire along the British front in northern France .and they began what may be the greatest battle of the war, a struggle which may lead to results which will shape the destinies of millions of people over coming centuries. The attack was made on a scale hithertounknown during this war of major offensives. It was over a front of fifty miles. Official reports are very brief but the correspondents at the scene tell of the terrific storm of artillery fire that burst over the lines by Field Marshal Haig’s men. The bombardment began at 5 o’clock Thursday morning just before the early spring dawn was breaking over eastern France. Shells of large and small calibres were rained upon the lines held by the British for about five hours. Then German infantry stormed out to make the first great assault. The Germans favored by the wind, moved forward under cover of a pall of smoke which hid the assaulting columns from the eyes of the British holding the front lines. Describing the batle, Andrew Bonar Law informed the house of commons that lightly held portions of the British line had been withdrawn but said that there was no need for alarm on the part of the country. The Associated Press correspondent at the British front, reports that an attack there had been expected and that great preparations had been made to meet it. The Berlin official report says that the Germans have penetrated into some British positions. Nor were the German efforts concentrated on the front held by the British. Early Thursday morning the Germans assaulted the French lines near the village or Ornes to the northeast of Verdun, and claim to have penetrated a great distance. Near Rheims, too, the French were subjected to an assault, but here the artillery bore the burden of the fighting. The attacks at Verdun and Rheims, however, may be considered for the time being as mere diversions to the pricipal attack, which has been loosed against the British. They would serve to keep French forces at Verdun and Rheims from being transferred to the British sector if that part of the battle line should show any signs of bending back. Nothing has been reported as to attacks on the lines held by the Americans. It had been expected that the Germans would make an assault on the American-held trenches in the Lorraine and Toul sectors, acting on the theory which have not had experience in engagements of the first degree might be found to yield easier than veterans. That such an attack may yet be launched and with only slight artillery preparation is, within the possibilities.