Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 102, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 March 1918 — BRITISH LINES PIERCED BY FOE [ARTICLE]

BRITISH LINES PIERCED BY FOE

GennansßßginAtlackonsoMile Frott After Heary Bombarding HEAVY LOSSES FOR ENEMY Teutons Advance In and Near Ommbrai Sector —Haig’s Forces Driven Rack at Some Points. London. March 22.—Field Marshal Haig’s report from British headquarters in France describes the German offensive as comprising an intense bombardment by the artillery and a powerful infantry attack on a front of about fifty miles. Some of the British positions were penetrated, but the German losses are declared to have been exceptionally heavy. On no part of the long front of the attack did the Germans attain their objective. Attack On 50-Mlle Front. The text of the statement reads: "At about 8 o’clock In the morning, after an intense bombardment of both high explosive and gas shells on our forward positions and back areas, a powerful infantry attack was launched by Jbe enemy on a front of over fifty innes, rxteodlng from the 'River Oise In the neighborhood of I>a Fere to the Menace river, about Croisllles. “A hostile artillery demonstration has taken place on a wide front north of I-a Fassee canal and In the Ypres sector. •The attack, which for some time past was known to tie in the course of preparation, has been pressed with great vigor and determination throughout the day. In the course of the fighting the enemy broke through our outport positions and succeeded in penetrating into our battle positions in certain parts of the front. Heavy Losses for Enemy. The attacks were delivered in large masses and have been extremely costly to the hostile troops engaged, whose losses have been exceptionally heavy. "Severe fighting continues along the whole front. Large numbers of hostile re-enforcing troops have lieen observed during the day moving forward behind the enemy** lines.

“Several enemy divisions which had been especially trained f<y this great attack have already been identified, including units of the guards. “Captured maps depicting the enemy’s Intentions show that on no part of the long front of the attack has he attained his objective." Germans Use Tanks. London, March 22. By employing ery* of troops, supported by a great » weight of artillery, the Germans appear to have penetrated the British front line at certain points between the Scarpe and Vendguil, says Reuter’s correspondent at British headquarters.“Our counter-measures have not yet developed.” the correspondent adds, “Therefore, it is difficult to define the position. Apparently the enemy’s purpose has been to launch converging attacks upon the two flanks of the Flesquleres salient, in the hope of cutting it off. “There are unconfirmed rumors that the enemy has employed tanks.” Launch Heavy Attack. British Army Headquarters in France, March 22.—The Germans launched a heavy attack against the British lines in the afternoon over a wide front in and near the Cambrai sector and the assault bears all the earmarks of being the beginning of the enemy’s much-heralded grand offensive. Hard fighting Is proceeding from a point north of Lagnicourt southward to Gauche wood, just below Gouzeacourt. Terrific Bombardment. The attack was preceded by a heavy bombardment from guns of all calibers and the duel between the oppos-

ing heavy batteries nas been rocking the countryside for hours. The Germans have employed gas shells freely and a constant stream of high velocity shells has been breaking with frightful concussion far back of the British lines. Attack Begins at 5 A. M. The bombardment began in earnest at five o’clock Thursday morning land about five hours later the enemy forces hurled themselves on the British front line trenches north of Lagnicourt and Louveral, the latter place lying due west of Boursies. In Champagne, Too. Near Reims, too, the French w’ere subjected to an assault, but the artillery bore the burden of the fighting. The attacks at Verdun and Reims, however, may be considered for the time being as mere diversions to the principal attack, which has been loosed against the British. They would serve to keep French forces at Verdun and Reims from being transferred to the. British sector, if that part of the battle line should show any signs of bending back. May Attack Americans. Nothing has been reported as tc attacks on the lines held by the Americans. It had been expected that thf Germans would make an assault on the American-held trenches in the Lor raine and Toul sectors.