NAVAL AEROPLANES CO-OPE RATING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17273, 27 March 1918, Page 5

NAVAL AEROPLANES CO-OPE RATING.

EFFECTIVE WORK REPORTED.

Australian and New Zealand Cable Association and Reuter. ' The Ad •It (Received March 26, at 9.30 p.m.) jONDON ' arch aea « picked up d^troyer Pl '°ljrtlw Xrs°retL\d deSCen<i int<> th °

THE FIRST brunt.

lIERQIC BRITISH RESISTANCE.

SUCCESSFUL AMBUSHES.

Australian and N.Z. Cahio Association,

ivr n • , Tl , LONDON, March 25. Mr Fercival Phillips writes : ~Ten Gonnau divisions were employed in road" ° U t . ho 1 1!a P a »me-CaDibrai road. Iho Germans had 110 now battery portions, of which we discovered 72 during iwi*° V s )e - oro t,he baUle - Thoy boro heaMly on Lagnicourt, Morchies, and Denicourt, which were (Jieir first objectives for their storm troops. Lagnicourt and Dcnicomt held out kmgest, but we fell back to the Vraucourt-IJeaiinictiis lino by Friday. Other German divisions, drivinc westward between Cambrai an d St. (fuentin, JZI f tho famous Ninth Division, oinposed of South African and Scottish w° j Vel '°m! oldin S the around mrn! + Tl i'. battled for hours against the heaviest odds, and stuck to fragments of old defences, refusing to surrender. One party of Leicestcrs fought at Vuecellete farm until all were killed. The Durhams coming up behind, also helped to hold up the attack, though the 13ntis.li on their right were forced back bv overwhelming numbers. • F W i° i 0 " 1 ,0 1' companies of Lcicesters, assisted by two tanks, held Peizere, where the Germans crept in under cover of a dense fog. Finally one company of Leicesters got completely cut off, but, instead of surrendering, they held the village until n on > surviving officer led a chaise through the hues of Germans, and the Leicesters fought their way back to the isritish line.

Our field batteries near by Epehy fired steadily with open sights at 400 vards range for four hours, when the seemingly inexhaustible hordes of Germans succeeded m dribbling past on both sides; but the gallant gunners continued to shoot at , V ran SC. surviving in a miracuJous way after being surrounded. Some Irishmen formed a provisional line behind Epehy (west of Le Catelet), assist-" mg the escape of British troops which were retiring from isolated pockets after lghting for 12 hours unceasingly against the fresh German divisions which " leapthrough _their own shock troops that had been used on the previous day. Thero was little rest on Friday night, and the German blows were renewed at iins, Nurhi, and Templeux-ia-Fosse (northTh« h L ?*TJ 0,1 SaUirda y morning. The hardest fighting on Saturday was ealt Peronne. We fell back as arranged worrying the tired and hungry German advance guard and riddling their columns ot mtantry with machine guns. It was a well-organised and coolly executed rearguard action. The Germans nearly dropping with fatigue, were Jashed to fresh exertion by their officers. We cle r verl y ambushes and harried them from our careiully-chosou hiding-places. One body came on to a deserted camp and searched for food and water. Our machine gunners watched the mtv U ti WaS full of mist y m en in giey. Then our guns riddled them and uot a man came out of that camp arain All our officers, from Generals to subalterns, insisted on the magnificent behaviour of all the troops. Often they were so heavy with fatigue that they slept where they dropped for a moment's rest by the road. One young officer stumbled into divisional headquarters pallid, unshaven, and dirty, and made his report in a voice vibrating with enthusiasm. He caneluded: lfc is the best show we have ever been in, general. You don't know how nno our men were." DEFENCE OF BAPAUME.

PERONNE STILL HELD BY BRITISH,

T1 t> '**1 i LONDON, March 25. ihe British have driven back the Germans across the Somme in the neighbourhood of Licourt, and are clearing the bank of the river. °

The British are fiercely engaged at Ham and Nesle. The French are fighting? north of Bagtume A tremendous struggle is proceeding in defence of Bapaume. The Germans have launched fresh attacks both north • and south of the town, and their losses are enormous.

Peronne is still in British hands. The British are fiercely counter-attack-lng between Nesle and Ham (south-west of *t-he Somme.

French , armies are heavily engaged at the y Oiso° n right (norfch - west ) b ank of

Guisrard eimans have Nesle and

CRITICISM BY EXPERTS.

NOT A GERMAN VICTORY.

MAY EVEN BE A DISASTER.

LONDON, March 25. . War experts point out that two British armies have been driven back by an over- ™ mass > and from 150,000 to Germans have fallen, a S is like],, it is not a German victory, but a disaster since the enemy sustained a loss of from 8 to 10 per cent, of their effectives without seriously lowering the Allies' efficiency. Even if the German claim as. to the number of prisoners and guns captured is true, it does not justify despondency on our part or jubilation on the part of the enemy. We do not hear of any whole division put out of action, while all accounts suggest that the Germans are bleeding at the main arteries. The Kaiser apparently announced the end of the first stage of the battle because the Germans want breathing time. thn! r <hi n r re Bell °- C f OX P re3SOS the opinion that the German infantry losses are the of the hesitation apparent in Saturday s fighting. Ihe Prussian system demands very heavy losses at the outset, and they work upon such losses; but everything depends on their relation to the results achieved.

Lord points out that the German objective IS to cut off the British rom the French; hence the heaviest at 13 ° f n ° ur F'ght. Such a gigantic nrnlnn en . ta ' lln 2 muil( : nse losses, cannot be prolonged for many days. Other experts similarly insist that Hindenburg s and Ludendorf s ambitious straoMlJnf, S tO , £e c parate the de fences of the Channel ports from the defences of Pans If this is attained it would justify f/S German losses; but the resources of scheme abl ° frustrat * that scheme. If the enemy secured Bapaume RidZ vTil /he formidable Pozieres Ridge behind, and before that is taken the mn tl jh n fi S^, in S, ro "° d Guiorhe Wood recalls Sfl, a? ? e ?°c C ! 111 1916 > wherc the South Africans and Scots were also fi^ht- -- Ihe Germans again aiid asain managed to reach the borders of the wood but were always thrust back. ' -The chief disappointment'is the with drawal from Monchy le Preux, which was the big prize m the battle of Arras Otherwise our line m the north is being well maintained. s

FRENCH CONFIDE.V-E. PARIS, March 25. The newspapers are full of confidence. ITie outstanding feature of the battle is tne destruction of enemy forces. While the British retain complete power to coun-ter-attack, the ■Germans are throwing themselves recklessly into the gulf of -da°struction. .

Le Matin states that, in the defensive the employment of reserves must neces' sarily be delayed and thii is the reason for the withdrawal of the British.

AMERICAN PRESS UNEASY. Ti -NT V YORK . March 25. The Now lork Times says : The news from the west front is disquieting, but there is no occasion to be <3own-heart<;d Everv offensive since trench warfare began has been brought to a halt. We have indomitable faith in the powers of resistance of the heroic British." WASH IN GTON, March 24 The press generally accepts the seriousness of the offensive, but is confident that the ad van co will be checked.

The Now York Tribune says: "The situation is critical. Hindenburg has won in the first phase, but the cost must be tremendous. Unless Haip: can immediately repair the_ damage we must prepare for the gipantie open warfare vliich marked the Marne campaign.''

SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S REPORT.

GERMAN ATTACKS REPULSED

GREAT ENEMY LOSS.

Sir Frank Simmonds. New York Time 3 correspondent, says : '< All now depends on tho extent of Britain's forethought and preparation. Any considerable further advanoe would drive a wedge between tho British and the French."

BRTTIfII AND AMERICAN EXCHANGES. LONDON, Maroli 25. . T" e Stock Exchange opened with a feeling of quiet confidence. Offerings of leading securities were readily absorbed. Quotations now show only a slight decline Consols, £54 ss. War" loans, £93 15s. NEW YORK, March 25. Tho Stock Exchange is slightly depressed as a result of the German advance.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Router.

LONDON, March 25. Sir Douglas Haig reports : The battle continues with great violenco along the whole front. V\ T e heavily repulsed powerful attacks yesterday morning and last evening northward of Bapaume. Tho Germans only at one point reached our trenches, whence they were immediately thrown out. Our fire stopped their attacks elsewhere before they reached our positions, tho enemy being; driven back with great loss. Fresh hostile attacks developed last night and this morning in his neighbourhood, also southward of Bapaume. Our counter-attacks southward of Peronne drove back enemy parties who had crossed the river between Licourt and Brie.

HIGH COMMISSIONER'S CABLE.

The High Commissioner gives the following resume of Sir Douglas* Ilaig's report: Northwards and southwards of Bapaume yesterday evening and night powerful enemy attacks were hoavily repulsed. Southwards of Peronne. between Licourt and Brie, the Germans were driven back to the east bank of the Somme. The British are holding on well in the Banaume region. Successful counter-attacks have opened southward of Peronne (i.e., along the Somme).

SITUATION UNDER CONTROL.

FRENCH. FORCES EAGER.

Australian and! N.Z, Cable Association. . LONDON, March 25. MrjPhilip Gibbs reports : It seems certain now that our armies are able to control the situation and keep it within the limit of safety, though our losses inevitj <*re severe, and the situation requires j all our abilities in strategy and generalship. Our armies are holding good lines, and the blackest shadows are beginning to lift. The weather is hot and brilliant. I saw the Poilus ready for action to /tnc southward of our line. They are mac-uificent-looking men, hard, bronzed, and in the best of spirits. Their officers said : We shall biff the Germans as on the Mar no." The Poilus are delighted at the calm and cheerful way the British behave in a crisis.

BRITISH LOSSES OF MATERIAL.

SEVERAL TANKS INCLUDED,

. LONDON, March 25. l'he_ British losses of material are heavy and include some tanks. The troops, though tired men, are fighting splendidly. On the Wancourt front (south-east of Arras, and south of Monchy) the British are holding fast, and they have beaten off terufic German assaults with complete success.

The Germans have made gains in the direction of Courcelette (south-west of Bapaume, midway on the Albert-Bapaume road).

BRITISH CONFIDENCE.

EXPRESSED BY THE KING. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Renter. m, -p LONDON. March 25. ihe Press Bureau, reports : The' King has telegraphed to Sir Douglas Haig and assured him that the fortitude, courage and self-sacrifice with which the troops under his command continue heroically to resist superior numbers are realised by his Majesty and the people, adding : " Th e Empire stands calm and confident in her soldiers God bless them, and . give them strength ?n the time of trial."

AMERICAN CONGRATULATIONS. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association p -1 WASHINGTON, March 25. President Wilson has cabled to SirDou"as Haig _ congratulating the British o°n their heroic stand against the Germans and assuring them of the confidence of America in the British securing final vic-

FRENCH TROOPS ASSISTING,

HEROICALLY FIGHTING.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Keutor. , v , LONDON, March 25. French^ tith f \ el rn ne ln ,. the batfcle on the Britsh front. They reheved part of the British forces and took up the struggle on their own account. They are at present heroically fighting in the'region of .Noyon disputing the heights on the right bank' of the Oise with important German forces. There are violent artillery actions in the regions of Courcy and Loivre and northwest of Rheims.

Iwo enemy coups de main east of the Sui,ppe m the Champagne broke down. There is «reat artilJeiy 'activity Vosges COurt ( Lorr aine front) and the

The enemy at dawn attacked east of Bleniery and east of Badonviller but were repulsed with heavy losses.

THE SUPER-GUN.

BOMBARDMENT INTERRUPTED.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, March 25. iiie long-range bombardment of Paris was resumed, but was interrupted after the second shot was lired. r,rv , PARIS, March 25. Ihe long-range run resumed its bombardment at 0.30 this morning. Crowds are not allowed to assemble while the gun is firing. f u Sgest that shell and cannon maj both be rifled, thus enormously increasing the speed of the projectile. lon" 0 theor y is that tlle S un is 250 ft

SHELLS NOT VERY DESTRUCTIVE,

m ■ i „ -PARIS, March 25. (Received March 2b. a t 7 p.m.) 1 n Xp . lo f ve , effect of th ° long-range gun shells is less than that from air bombs though similar in size, and tho damage they do is slight. b

AMERICAN SPECULATIONS. rri • .WASHINGTON, March 24. ihere is tremendous interest in the ereat offensive especially in the mysterious reguns of Paris by long-range

Oilicials and military ordnance experts are sceptical regarding a gun with a Umile range, and there is speculation whether aerial torpedoes are being used or mortars mounted on aircraft. Some suggest that cannon shells have been dropped' by aircraft, while ot-«rs speculate on the possibility of an isolated hidd-m gun within French territory. Co'onel Bunn states that ordance with a 60-mile range is not theoreticallv impossible, but would be impracticable because of its unwieldiness.

PALM SUNDAY IN BRITAIN.

SPECIAL LITANY AND PRAYERS.

T , i _ LONDON, March 25. . . ,llm Snnday in Britain was a day of intense anxiety. Special prayors weTo o ered in all tho churches for the success ot tho allied aims, and a spoclal litany was read in many churches. By evening it was evident that the news had the deepest significance, but tho public were cheered by the announcement that Douglas Haitr and British general headquarters had full confidence.

SPEEDY DECORATIONS. . AMSTERDAM, March 25. 0 Kaiser, at main German headquarters, conferred decorations on llindenburg. Ludendorl'f, and other departmental ciiiets in connection with tho battle now raging.

THE EVACUATED AREAS.

INHABITANTS PREVIOUSLY

WARNED,

EVERYTHING OF VALUE REMOVED

m . PARIS, March 25. (Received March 26, at 7 p.m.) i lrom evacuated areas near the battlefield state that tho British warned the inhabitants, thus enabling the removal of ever^.. ling valuable. Tho Germans did not lind a single head of cattle or any gram or corn, or a drop of wine. The population left calmly, and were accommodated m British automobiles.

FRENCH AVIATORS.

MONTH'S SUCCESSFUL WORK.

(T1 . LONDON, March 25. (R-eceived March 26. at 7 p.m.) A French official report states: From February 15 to March 15 we brought down OA and disabled 50 enemy aeroplanes. In the same period we lost 29.