WESTERN.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 6977, 18 February 1918, Page 3

WESTERN.

GERMAN ATTACK EXPECfED IN MARCH.

Huns May Invade Switzerland.

Australian and N Z Cable Assoc. Rec Feb 14, 11 45 a m Washington, Feb 13

Unofficial advices state that; the great German drive has been planned to take place next month, and will be directed particularly at the British front. liec Feb 14, 11a in London, Feb lo Mr Percival Phillips states that information extracted from prisoners reveals that tho Gorman infantry is being trained in musketry at many new ranges. Large artillery schools have been established in Belgium, at one of which twenty thousand gunners are instructed simultaneously. He adds :— " Evidently machine-guns, tanks, and gas will figure prominently in the German attempt to break through. Many new railways have been built, including monorail lines for the conveyance of ammunition." Rec Feb 14, 12-30 p in .New York, Feb K> Mr William Simons, in a.further despatch to the-United Press from Berne, says that the Swiss believe the Allies will win this year it the West front holds. General liindenburg does not expect Austria's help, f j F be is wobbly, and the Emperor | iear.-s to scud many Austrian* to the \ West front. Count Ludendoril has j reorganised tho German army, which j Ims probably 200 divisions ready for j the oflsnsive. Ho adds :"I'< vi in- j : Formed thai the Ucrtnaus have com- j ! pleted plans to iuvade Switzeiland, j if such a course is necessary. Hiu-.j denburg is massing troops and am- j munition against the French right J flank, and the Swiss arc asking whether the treaty of 161-3 will be the next ' scrap of paper.' Germans at Zurich openly boast that^ they could smash the Swiss army io. 4t> hours. Ihe Swiss believe that- Hindenburgwill not hositate to invade if he 'considers it advisable. The country is alive with Genni'u agents, tryiug to start a Swiss revolution.' Operations in Various Sectors Australian ami N '/> Cubic Asso'c. ami Rent a* liec fcli IS, 10 -"> ft m . Londou, iVb 17 Ihe Admiralty l^poits : Our aircraft dropped many bo ml) 8 on the Zuydweg dump od Saturday. A fire started in the centre of the objective, All our machines returned.

London, Feb 17 A French eooioiunique reports fairly considerable reciprocal artillerying at night time in the region of Ohavjgaoo, east of Eheims. ia the Champagne. An enemy surprise attach e^t~of Auberive proved reaultless. London, Feb 17 D Haig reports : Patrols took

| a fesv prisoners north-eastward of ! Haigicourt. There is hostil-j arriiieryi ing ia the neighbourhood, of Passehaen daele.