INTENSE ATTACKS ON FIFTY-MILLE FRONT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 71, 23 March 1918, Page 5

INTENSE ATTACKS ON FIFTY-MILLE FRONT.

ASSAULTS ON BOTH SIDES OF CAMBRAI SALIENT. MACHINE-GUNS AND ARTILLERY CUT SWATHES IN THE ENEMY RANKS. LONDON, March 22. A report from Sir Douglas Haig states:—The enemy opened a heavy bombardment along the whole front from the neighbourhood of Vendhuilo to the River Scarpe. * We made a raid in the neighbourhood of St. Quentin, and brought back prisoners. Our raiders also captured prisoners south-east of Messines and south of the Houthulst Forest. We repulsed an enemy raid in the neighbourhood of Axmentieres. A later report from Sir Douglas Haig states:—The enemy attacked intensely and ineffectually this morning on a front of fifty miles. The fighting continues.—(A. and N.Z. and Reuter.) A correspondent of the United Press states:—Picked storm troops were hurried against the British' right flank in thick waves, following a smoke barrage- There was hard fighting at Bullecourt, Ronssy, Vaucilette Farm, and Lagnicourt. Machine-guns and artillery cut swathes in the enemy's ranks. Mr. Percival Phillips says the Germans* intention is apparently, to pinch out the slice of the Hindenburg line we captured in November by a double attack, one operating in the triangle between the Arras-Cambrai and Bapaume-Cambrai roads and the other west of the Scheldt Canal, the enemy hoping to clinch the jaws of the gigantic pincers. Mr. Philip Gibbs confirms the impression that the chief German attack was directed against Bullecourt, Lagnicourt, and Noreuil. Speaking in the House cf Commons, Mr. Bonar Law said an attack by German infantry was launched this morning between the-Scarpe and the Oise, a front of over fifty miles. The German attacks were on a larger scale than any they had previously "made. Our outposts were withdrawn at any part of the line which was very lightly held. This was in accordance with expectations and instructions. There " was nothing in the nature of a surprise in the attack, which was launched at the very part of the line the War Office and the Versailles Council had expected it to be delivered. "I predicted that the attacking party was sure to gain a certain amount of ground," Mr. Bonar Law added. "Information thus far does not suggest that anything beyond that has happened. The House and the country will not be "unnecessarily alarmed. Our generals three days ago informed the Cabinet that the attack was coming. We will be able to meet it." The statement was received with cheers, and the House adjourned.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.) / Mr. Perry Robinson states that German recruits of the 1920 class have appeared on the West front. —("Times.") A German official report states:— Austro-Hungarians co-operated with us against the British and French in bombarding broad sectors of the western front.—(A. and N.Z. and Reuter.) A French communique reports:-Towards the end of last night there was an intense and prolonged bombardment of sectors north and south-east of Rheims, also at various points in the Champagne where the Germans made several abortive attempts to attack. The enemy bombardment on the right lank of the Meuse became very violent last night, a strong attack following between Caurieres Wood and Bezonvaux. After violent fighting we drove the enemy hack from some points, which in the first rush he had succeeded m penetrating. We took prisoners. After lively artillery fire the enemy attacked *t 1.30 o'clock in the morning in the region of Momeny, in Lorraine. Our fire repulsed him with serious losses without results having been achieved. jA. and N__. and Reuter.) . . .