WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 20 February 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

IMMEDIATE GEEMM OFFENSIVE EXPECTED. . Received 5.50. LONDON, February 19. A German offensive is expected immediately on the Western front. The enemy arc using tanks and new gases. A FRENCH REPORT Received 8.50. LONDON, February 19. A French communique reports violent artillery activity during the night in the region south of the Forest of Styobean, in the sector at Chivegnou and north-cast of Bezonvaux. SUCCESSFUL BRITISH RAIDS. Reeived 8.50. LONDON, February 19 Sir Douglas Haig reports: We successfully raided three sectors on our front. Irish troops entered trenches south-eastward of Epehy, and brought back prisoners. The Canadians made a successful raid, and captured five, •southward of Lens and Lancossire. The Borderers and Yorkshire troops raided positions on a wide front in the southern portion of Houthoulst forest, killing a large number and capturing twenty-seven and machine-guns. Our casualties were slight. GERMAN PREPARATIONS. STATE OF FEVERISH EXCITEMENT. Received 10.50. LONDON, Feb 19. Mr. Gibbs says at any moment we i may see the beginning of the enemy’s last desperate effort to end the war by a decisive victory. Undoubtedly the offensive which has long been preparing is now imminent. Detailed information from prisoners leave no doubt about that. Our aviators for some time past reports terrific industry and nervous tension behind the German lines. All leave has been stopped for German officers and men. The Germans are drugged under the I spell of a frightful secret hope. Germany to-day is a nation with bloodshot eyes, in a high temperature of fever, buoyed up to a last resistance, despite the fear, eating into their hearts. Our men won’t fail, whatever comes. ENEMY’S TERRIBLE SCHEME. LONDON, February IS. The United Press correspondent says Civilisation is on the threshold of the most colossal battle of all time. A German offensive is expected momentarily. The Germans for the first time will use tanks, some like the British machines, equipped with mortars, and others with machine-guns. They have a speed of almost, four miles an hour. Probably an attempt, will be made to smash the British between Arras and St. Quentin, this synchronising with blows elsewhere. Trench mortars will bo directed on entanglements and from support trenches, gnus playing on battery positions, roads, railways, and suspected concentration points and approaches. A heavy percentage of gas shells will bo used everywhere against the troops. Endless waves of infantry will follow like cattle through the holes made, in the hope that they will thus tear a way in. Officers are telling the men the wildest stories of the infallibility of the scheme, but, according to prisoners the men arc doubtful.