BRITISH MEET FIRST RUSH WITH COOLNESS.

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

BRITISH MEET FIRST RUSH WITH COOLNESS.

DEFEND STRONG POINTS WITH KNIFE AND BAYONET.

ENEMY'S FUU_ INTENTIONS NOT YET DIVINED. . (Received 10.10 a.m.) ... , , LONDON, March 22. Hindenburg apparently launched his offensive following a short bombardment along a forty-five-mile front. Enemy high velocity guns opened on'towns far behind the lines. As the battle began the British met the first rush with their customary coolness, bobbing up after the barrage of gas shells and high explosives had passed. Gas masks were adjusted, and machine-guns turned on the advancing waves. Hand-to-hand fighting was frequent, the "Tommies" holding strong points and fighting it out- with knives and bayonets. Stupendous German preparations prior to the attack were carried out with utmost secrecy. Sir Douglas Haig, however, knew what was happening, for the airmen reported every new dump, railway line, strategic road, and aerodrome as soon as commenced, and our precautions were taken accordingly. If this be the loudly advertised drive, and it comes according to specification, our officers and men are confident. The situation is naturally vague, when fighting over such a wide front, and some hours, probably days, may elapse before the enemy's true intentions can be divined.— (A. and N.Z.)