The Present Situation

Thames Star, Volume LII, Issue 18656, 26 March 1918, Page 2

The Present Situation

WE ARE 'HOLDING THEM

The situation • a.t present appears to be' that we axe holding* the enemy virtually on the whole front, although he is pressing attacks very heavily. For example, one village was, taken by the German© and retfciken by us, retaken, by the Gernians, and yet again veoaipfcuired by Britislh, a.nd at preseiit it ia not. definitely known to be occupied' • by eitther s-ide. There are "wide stirefohes 'of "No Man's Land",.with pickets of enemy iiitersecting our poste. REuIR-GUAiIID ACFIONiS.

The covering, actions of brigades and divisions fougiht with the view to secure orderly ' withdrawals are magnificent episodes. Two battalions sustained flank, fiplits until the object was attained, and the battalions "were reduced to seventy apiece. Enemy cavalry were reported at various places, but usually were only screen patrols. -

.WHERE ARE THE GERMAIN' TANKS?

There is not yet any sign of the Germain tanks, picked 1 men had been trained to operate them. THE HEAVIEST FIGHTING !

has heeir on the flamiks of "the. 'battle front, the 'southern flaiik yielding most ground. The withdrawal: in the centre has been very slow, and carried out in most places under th» necessity of maintaining a. good line. THE GERMAN -WAVES.. \ Mr. H-amilton Fyfe states:—The tirfetr. Geruatn wave; consisted roughly oft, 250' ineii. with machine guns, niiiu'iiEiti^l Slibulcter • to'shoujder with ii- steadiness bespeaking tliedr dJßoipline and morale. : At an interval of one huiidi-ed yards oame a- edihilar' wave., The neat interval was v frbraa two to three hundi-ed yards.- Trench • mortal's -and battalion stafi at a. furifchea- interval wa» foy.ow.e4' by veld :aa-till©ry in open..:; ijoluflirii v! farming ( iiitQ. line of batteries.*- , ■:: Every where ■■ our machine guns ) played^ ha.yoc. Z" yi£MNYM& SHELLIiN^.., ; ./'•.; The British describe the" Germaa gas. glielling las the heaviest <>f the , war. Prisoners* in; sonic sector® state ■ thai the battalions' had, thirty to fifty per cent of casualties'. " ' : -.■■■• '■■-■-' -EEEPIN-G :IT l)AJli&. ''.' ■' '■', lliiikjeiV .were kepV'^ in . cwnple'le ; .ig'iiorance <>f the date of tiie oftbnsdve. Oflicei's were given sealed packets and ordered to open. thein_ at a. certain hour.' The British drenched St. Quentin with gas two days prior .to the attuck..—Tliiited Service.