LATEST MESSAGES REASSURING.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 72, 25 March 1918, Page 5

LATEST MESSAGES REASSURING.

ATTEMPTS TO ADVANCE IN PERONNE DECISIVELY DEFEATED. _XCE___NT SPIRIT SHOWN BY BRITISH TROOPS. (Received 12.10 p.m.) LONDON, March 24. Corresuondents' reports show that our men behaved with the utmost gallantry, and offered the most stubborn resistance. There were never greater examples of cool courage against overwhelming odds. The machine-gunners continued mowing down swathes of attackers until practically surrounded. The spirit of our troops was excellent. Many believe that this is the commencement of the last great battle. If wo now sufficiently punish the enemy his moral will be such that he will be unlikely to again attempt a serious attack. The presence of German' tanks is not confirmed, the enemy rather relying on artillery, mixing gas shells with high explosives. Our losses in prisoners are possibly considerable, but we exacted an enormously heavy toll. The upshot of the impending battles is awaited with confidence. Tho "Cologne Gazette's" war correspondent says that notwithstanding the extensive preparations tho attack was a complete surprise, the British not expecting it so soon. The opposing artillery has not roplied with the samo vigour. After the first line was taken the light artillery was taken forward, but a mist prevented accurate shooting, making the capture of the second line difficult, and it was only achieved after desperate fighting, the.English showing extraordinary bravery. Other German correspondents predict a great offensive in Lorraine. The latest messages are reassuring. British resistance throughout is solid. Numerous attacks during the night were repelled, and several enemy attempts to advance in the Peronne district were decisively defeated. The whole situation is unchanged. M. Clomenceau, Premier of France, expressed satisfaction at the results thug far attained. French experts predict another Verdun, with the same lack of success for tho Germans, within a much shorter period. The German communique emphasises the Kaiser's presence in supreme command of the attacking armies, and says that Prince Rupprccht of Bavaria's army took fifteen thousand prisoners, and the Crown Prince's ten thousand. The Paris newspaper "Temps" states that Paris is over a hundred kilometres from the nearest point of the front. No sign of panic (A. and N.Z. Cable.)