The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-03-05
Weekly ReUieu By The
 c. s. War Department

Washington, March 4.-Continued pre- paratory movement on the part of the Germans along the western front are noted today by the war department. in it's review of the military situation for the week, ending March 2 The iiio- faentunr of battie is incrersit tns statement declares, citing three attempts by the enemy to reach the lines held ry American troops as an example of which is taking place Ion a larger scale along the entire western front"
 The definite announcement is made that American forces have taken over a number of detached units are in action in the Champagne.
 Operations in the eastern theatre are expected to affect events in France through a modification of German plans. the review intimates. Six Teuton columns are operating in Russia and to only one of these--the column moving toward Vitebsk-s any opposition noted.
 Turkish forces advancing in the Cau- casus are meeting with little resistance. and are massacreing Armenian resi- dents of the districts retaken from the Russians.
 The review follows:
 ''The third months of relative quies. -cence on the western front has come to close During this period both bellg- erent groups have been massing their forces.
 There is evidence that the enemy con to transportation difficulties this has been slow and laborious process. |
 'qThe allied war council is now in con- 'tinuous session, assuring complete unity and flexibility of control
 'The British have extended their front.
 Our own forces have taken over sector northwest of Toul. In addition. number of our detached units are in action in the Champagne, and the mo- mentum of battle is increasing.
 we have but to note the occur rences of the past week in our own sector in Lorraine in order to gain an idea of what Is taking place. Pa trols have been very active. Early fn the week the enemy made two att tempts to reach our lines but were driven off by machine gun fire. On March the enemy developed a hardly driven attack After a short struggle the hostile detachment was repulsed.
 'sThe Germans are now using gas along our front. Our men are becom- ing accustomed to this weapon. Our gas masks are efficiently protective. Our artillery was very busy shelling enemy dispositions, and inflicted con :. siderable damage on gun and mortar
 "Important troop movements took place behind the German lines oppo- site our front
 .Tn spite of the low visibility, hos tile aircraft continued active and made freuuent incursions over our lines.
 '.In the region of the Chemin-des- Danes lively encounters took place. A French raid against the German out posts in which q number of American volunteers participated.s was very suc-. cessfully carried through.
 4On February 24 the French exc cuted coup de main. destroying hos- tile defensive works and shelters near Aspach in upper Alsace, Small raids in Champagne and Lorraine were also recorded The enemy also was driven back while attempting to react in the vicinity of the Butte de sMesnil and the Chemin- des Danes.
 ssThe boldest enterprise undertaken by the enemy during the week took place north of Dixmude. Here, after prolonged artillery preparations, the enemy endeavored to throw a bridge across the Ys4r. The Belgfans success fully prevented six consecutive at- tempts to push this operation to a suc- cessful consummation.
 s'The new trend 6fx events in Russia has no doubt modified German plans to ceptain degree For the time being the enemy continues to advance
 tcs.tsnues ;. PAes Two,