South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-04-09
BOMBARDS FRONT
100 MILES WIDE.

LONDON, April 9-WhIe great
German guns pounded British,
French and Portuguese positions
over front of more than 100 miles,
the Germans have continued TO con-
centrate their infantry pressure
against the French east of NoyOn.
Today (the 2Oth Of the German
drive against Amicns) found the
Germans claiming fresh gains ia
that sector.
"Our attack has continued" the
German war office stated on Mon
cay night ION the southern bank
of the Disc river we drove the
French out of strong positions on
the heights east Of Coucy."
The night cOmmunique OF the
French war Office told of the heavy
pressure which the Germans have
been eXeTting in the district south
west of -. Gobain forest.
Infict Heavy Losses.
During the day enemy pressure
continued north Of the Ailette river
in the region Of the lower Coucy
forest" the statement said. The
advanced sections Of our troops re-
sisted and hindered the advance Of
the enemy. who was in superior
numbers, infiicting heavy losses up-
Cn him."
The British war office told Of con
ccntrated German artillery fire i'm
tile region of Bucquoy, nine miles
north of Albert, which has been the
scene of violent and bloody fighting
In the gigantic battle Of Picardy.
There is a salient about six miles
wide at its ise lying Immediately
south of Bucquoy and the can
nonading in that district indicates
a resumption Of infantry lighting
with two detectives in view:
Strengthening OF the German
line.
"A drive due northward which
Vould menace the works defending
Arras on the south
MAY Relax Pressure.
Military critics expressed the
opinion that. when the Germans re-
neWed their infantry operations on
the northern end of the battle line
pressure against the French would
relax and the Germans would take
time to dig themselves in, consoh-
date their positions and reform thei-
divisions that had been shattered by
the French fire.
In the latest stage Of the lighting
south OF the Disc river the Germans
claimed 10 have driven the French
10 the western bank OF the Ailette
river and 10 have captures Nereuii.
a. The point where the Germans
Gained to have driven the Frenc.
ecress the Ailettc the stream is
q ahout j. miles north &c the Aisne
r.NeC.)
The tenacity w.th which the allied
lines hav= neId. especially north OF
the Sommc river. has upset the Get-
,aan plan OF campaign and the vio-
lence OF the gUn fire aionS the
northern end of the line indicated
that the Germans intended 20 exert
themselves 10 the utmost in an effort
10 push past Arras in the direction
Of the channel coast
Great Numbers Of Guns Used.
Allied airmen reported that the
Germans had massed large numbers
of men east and south OF Arras ana
from the intensity Of the drum nrs
/. was evident that enormous num-
hers OF cannon were being en-
ployed.
There is a range Of hills in the
Pucouov sector that the Germans
must take before they find ground
favorable 10 their operations and Il
is q foregone conclusion that their
attacks IN that zone are going -
cost them greater losses than they
have sustained DO the dghung else
where.
The British and French COM
manders have oeen prepared for @
renewal OF the German drive on