Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 April 1918 — GERMANS RENEW DRIVE AGAINST ALLIED ARMIES [ARTICLE]

GERMANS RENEW DRIVE AGAINST ALLIED ARMIES

Huns Mikl Hiaty Attack or WMi Somme-Ave Line. ADVANCE II TWO SECTORS Gain oa British Front in Direction of Hamel ami the Bote M Valre —French Forced Back. Parte, April s.—German troops numbering well over a hundred thousand delivered a terrific attack against the French along a front of over nine miles from Grivesnes to north of the A miens Roye road. Tip*}’ uere met with a storm of fire from Ihe French guns, and although the assaults were repeated ten times, they succeeded in gaining only a small section of ground. The French retained Grivesnes, but the Germans occupied the villages of Mailly-Raineval and MoriseL The announcement by the war office of this new offensive also says that by a powerful counter-attack the 'French made progress in the Grivesnes area.

London. April 5. —South of the River Somme the Germans launched heavy attacks on the British and French forces, says a statement issued by the British war office. On the British front the enemy mu de progrT-ss in the direction of Hamel and the Bois de Vaire. Gain Ground From French. <On the £'refich front, immediately on the right of the British, the Germans. according’ to the statement, gained ground in the angle between the Rivers Luce and Avre. The statement reported little activity in the battle area at night, with the exception of hostile artillery fire at various points. A few prisoners were taken by British parties. Haig's Report of Battle. ~Field Marshal Haig’s report from British beadquarters in France says: “After heavy artillery preparation the enemy launched a strong attack in the morning on the whole front between the Somme and Avre., rivers. On the right and center of the British lines the attacking German infantry were repulsed, but on the left the weight of the assault succeeded in pressing back our troops for a short distance in the neighborhood of Hamel on the south bank of the Somme. Fighting Continues. “The fighting is continuing in this area 1 . “Early in the afternoon the enemy also attacked our line west of Albert and was completely -epulsed. “During the last fdw days there has

been heavy fighting south of the River Luce. A Canadian cavalry brigade greatly distinguished Itself in many successful actions, both mounted and dismounted.” Report From Paris. Paris, April 5.—The French official report says: “The battle was resumed this morning with extreme violence in the region north of Montdidier and still continues. On a front of about fifteen kilometers (over nine miles), from Grivesnes as far as north of the road between Amiens and Roye, the Germans -attacked with enormous forces, showing a firm determination to break through our front at any cost. Up to the present we have identified by prisoners eleven enemy divisions. Foes Mowed Down. “Our troops with intrepid courage resisted the shock o? the assailing masses, who were mowed down by our artillery fire. “Despite their efforts, ten times repeated, the Germans Succeeded, at the cost of sanguinary in gaining only a few hundred meters of terrain and occupying the villages of Mailly, Raineval nad Morisel, the neighboring heights of which we hold. French Hold Grivesnes. “Grivesnes, which was* attacked with particular violence, remained in the hands of our troops, who, after having broken down all the assaults, counter-attacked with vigor and realized progress at this point. “Between Montdidier and Laslgny there was great activity by the two artilleries. “The artillery fighting became very violent last night in the region north of Montdidier. > “Northwest of Reims, in the Champagne and on the left bank of the Meuse (Verdun front) French troops ’penetrated German trenches at several points, bringing back 30 prisoners and two machine guns. German raids east of Reims, in Avocourt wood and north of St. Die were without success.” Repulse Allied Attacks. Berlin, April 5.—The German official report says: “Fighting activity revived south of the Somme. “By means of surprise and after strong artillery preparation the enemy during the early morning and afternoon dour times vainly endeavored to recapture heights wrested from him southwest of Moreuil. This attack broke down with heavy losses.