Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-03-31
HUN titanic PUSH
MAY EQUAL vERDUN
Germans; Making Gigantic e.
fort to Bring Artillery to
Infantry's Aid.

WITH THE FRENCH ARMY IN
FRANCE, March 29.-The impression
tonight among the troops fighting
along the front is that the battle will
develop into long struggle similar to
those at verdun and the first battle of
the Somme. The Germans are making
strenuous efforts to bring their heavy
artillery forward to support their in
fantry. which has borne the brunt Of the
whole engagement thus far. 1t is con-
sidered probable that they will make
another formidable rush with all their
available reserves. but the allied COM
manders view the future with conf
dence. They regard the situation, as a
general rule. as satisfactory and believe
that the only change will be toward
Improvement.
pocket in the Fra British lines,
which leaves them open to flank at
tacRs. For this reason they extended
their attacking line to the eastward of
Arras for the purpose of smoothing out
a sharp salient, but in order to be sue
cessful they will be compelled to pay a.
heavy price. Whether they will be able
to afford this after the extremely heavy
losses they have sustained is for them
to judge. They used up larger number
foresaw would be necessary to make
the progress they had already achiev-
ed, foE the resistance of the British was
unexpected. considering their immense
disparity of numbers as compared to
the attackers.
Extends Fifty-Five Niles.
ffty-five miles, and the Frech occupy
the line to within a few kilometers
south of the Somme river. Everywhere
the French and British are working in
complete harmony, holding their newly
occupied positions with wonderful ten
acity. On Thursday, when the Ger
mans occupied hill called Mount
was expressed by French general,
but British general. commanding a
cavalry division, requested the honor
Of attocking it, which was given.
The dismounted cavalrymen advanced
to the assault, watched by their French
comrades. and Notwithstanding the
most obstinate German defense, sue
ceeded in capturing the hill and in
holding it firmly ever since.
The Germans who were advancing in
two overwhelmingly, toward Amiens
and beyond Montdidler, appear to have
slowed down their efforts in the direc-
ton of Amiens, and to have thrown
Montdidier, where, however. they en-
countered determined resistance from
the French, who even regained some
ground by counter attacks.
Outline Of Position.
A rough outline Of the positions to-
day follows:
THE French are holding strongly
along the Disc canal and river. Thence
Ant oy 1~c Of ha no. &C
to the south Of tassigny and runs in
an almost straight northwestward di-
rection to the line of heights west
ward of Montdidier. Then the line
lows the course Of the River Avre. 1t
goes by Hamel, crosses the Somme
near Sally lie Sec, passes westward of
Albert and Beaumont Hamel and aft
ganization at Hebuterne. Cucquoy and
Moyenville. 1t leaves the Cojeul river
to the east and then joins the original
front eastward Of Arras.
Today all along the line the enemy
has been trying to find a feeble spot,
without success. German divisions
have seemed to give a heave of their
shoulders here and there to test the
strength of the defense and find the
weakest spot against which to throw
their greatest efforts. but they have
always found stern resistance.
morale OF troops OOOG.
The morale of both the French and
British troops Is notably cheerful, and
they are confident under trying condi-
lions. They seem to know that their
turn is coming. Their protection
against German gas attacks has been
eff1cacious.
It had been announced that the Ger
mans intended to use something terrible
in the way Of gas, but nothing has SO
far appeared. 1t was proclaimed that
the Germans would use a swarm of
tanks, but only one has been seen and
that apparently was one captured from
the British at Cambria Small bodies OF
German cavalry have been observed in
the neighborhood of Ham. Nesle and
Peronne but mono has reached the front
line
The diminution Of German aerial ac-
tivity in the last few days probably is
a sequel Of his heavy losses in airmen,
but their bombarding squadrons have
been more active at night, especially in
the vicinity of railroad functions and
stations. On the other hand the allied
aviators are always about, harassing
the German gunners and infantry for
nations. Tonight as the Associated
Press correspondent passed along the
rear Of the line, a heavy bombardment
was proceeding and the sky was IL
Illuminated with flashes Of guns.