South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-03-11
WAR To REMAIN
ON WEST FRONT
Germany'S Attempt to Move
Battle Lines to East
are Futile.

WASHINGTON, March 1I.-Ger-
manys sweeping Russia is 1escrib-
ed by the war departments weekly
military review tonight as another
futile attempt on the part Of the
Germans 20 shift the center Of
gravity OF the war. which still re-
mains on the west front where
the Teutons face the French. Brit
ish. Italian and Belgian armies and
the ever growing American forces
There. the review SAYS. lies the key
position OF the war.
American troops now occupy
trenches at four separate points
and, as was recently disclosed, IN
the principal sector their front is
four and a half miles long. They
have been constantly engaged. the
department says. and the scope OF
their activities is being constantly
extended.
Nothing is found in the situation
by the department 10 indicate that
the Germans have abandoned their
plans for a great offensive i'm the
west. and IL, says the allies. while
assuming an alert defensive. are
content % let the enemy break him
self against their impregnable line.
Intense Air Activities.
Intense air activities during the
week are roted. with the statement
that PA enemy aircraft were
brought down on the western front
alone. while the allies lost only So
machines on all fronts during the
same period The German loss on
all fronts IS placed at 273.
The morale of the French an
British forces has never been better
and they are anxious to give battle
TO the enemy. confident Of their SUI
periority the review says.
AT dawn. March 3, the enemy at
tempted n strong raid against one
Of our advance positions" contin-
ues the report. This thrust was
repulsed with loss to the enemy
Our casualties were slight and 10
prisoners or missing were reported.
The French general commanding
the sector congratulated our COM
mand on the splendid manner i'm
which our troops repulsed the as
sailing columns"
First Liquid Fire.
The first attack by liquid fire,
made March Z against the Ameri-
cans. was repulsed without injury
10 the Americans. while "the Ger
mans were compelled TO abandon
the flame throwing apparatus which
was captured and later brought
into our lines"
I'm our TOul sector the Germans
are carrying on extensive prepare
tions. continuing TO bring mp fresh
units. and accomplishing material,
apparently with a view to undertak
ing more extensive operations" the
review continues.
The French were relatively mac
tive during the week. but easily re-
pulsed many hard driven German
raids. while the British. on their
front. continue TO hold the initiative.
Snow prevented operations in the
Italian theater.
The review adds:
Enemy ContempIates Offensive.
"Advicas indicate that the enemy
contemplates taking the offensive i'm
the mountain area OF the Italian
theater. possibly in IN effort 10 de-
bouch through the Val Lagarin intJ
the plain. We may look for in
creased activity I'm this theater.
which will no doubt develop spor-
taneously when preparations have
been completed and weather condi-
tons are more favorable.
"In the meantime Italian forces
have now fully recovered from their
losses Of the campaign Of last au-
tumu. The Cadres are reOrganized
and Italian armies are operating in
close conjunction with the British
/ and French divisions now at the
front i'm Italy"
The German invasion of Russia
is i'm full swing. the review adds.
mentioning that 10000 square
miles of territory have been ;nvaded
i'm three weeks and that the booty
taken by the Germans grows daily.
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