Evening star., 1918-04-03
By the Associated Press.

WITH THE BRITISH ARMIES LIN
FRANCE. April 2.-The British armies
were waiting today for the next move
along the extended battle front. Possf-
bly, the enemy also was waiting Tor the
British to show their hand, but the
probabilities are that the Germans were
not quite ready to begin the struggle
anew in the north.
In any event, the infantry on both
sides were resting on their arms IN
most places up to noon of Tuesday.
Even below the Somme. where there
had been such bitter fighting. there was
lull, although from the French sector
to the south came reports that the
enemy was continuing to pound the al
lied lines with all the strength tnae
could be mustered.
notwithstanding the inactivity along
the British line. no one doubted ina.
the storm would break again with great
violence, and further activity is expect
ed at any hour. Meanwhile the delay is
working to the advantage of the allies.
who are rapidly perfectfng their plans
to meet the next onslaught.
British Improve Position.
The British yesterday improved their
position by an attack south OF HAN
counter attacks which essayed to re-
store the situation.
South Of Hebuterne the British con-
Quoted a successful local attack and
repulsed counter assault.
According to prisoners. the 2osth
German Division since the beginning
of the offensive has suffered losses OF
70 per cent. The Goth Division lost
so per cent The Ssth Division lost 30
per cent the first day and Msocb 40 per % cent
In the 1st Division the average
strength of the companies was reduced
to forty men by March %. The Guard
Breatz Division suffered % per cent
loss between March = and -. ,+
The 5th Division had so per cent
casualties at Ham and additional heavy
losses in crossing the Somme: In an
attack north of the Scarpe river one
regiment Of the 26th Division lost
twenty-four officers.
Airmen Keep UP Activity.
OTTAWA, April 3-The following
dispatch was received here last night
from British headquarters in France:
This has been the quietest day since
the offensive began, excepting for the
tireless activity of our airmen, VINO
continue to harass the enemy along the
front and miles to the rearward. II
should be remembered that in con-
L
extended his front about thirty miles
and protection against counter attacks
means drawing largely on his reserves
The Australians are participating IN
the battle in considerable numbers
The quality of the reinforcements
which have arrived from England is
highly praised.
DAYS has recuperated our troops, who
are ready for further eventualities. the
most trying feature of sustained opera
tions is want of sleep. incidentally,
our airmen are curtailing to the utmost
the slumber Of the Germans"
Hold the Germans Back.
WITH THE FRENCH ARMY IN
FRANCE, Monday, April 1.-The Germans
continued their desperate efforts today 10
open a road toward Amiens. their OBJ
jective since the starting of the battle,
but they made little, If any, progress.
In fact, the entente allied troops were
able to recapture the town OF HAN
gard en- Santerre. Most OF the enemy
forces were hurled in the course OF the
day on the British. the French lines on
the left being more or less quiet.
The first German guard division yes
terday suffered a most severe beating
at Grivesnes. At 11:20 o'clock In the
morning the guards attacked with the
x >
closest fighting they succeeded in get
ting a footing in the village. Two
hours later the guards were eJected
pellmell by q magnificent counter at
tack at the point OF the bayonet.
This was not the end. however, the
Germans coming back again time after
time, preceded by heavy artillery
barrage In the grounds Of the Grives-
mes castle the Frenchmen went to meet
them and fought them back with
lit 1,aV,
retreat In disorder under grilling fire
from automatic rifles. mounted on ar
mored motor cars. Once more this
morning the guards. not satisfied with
their defeat yesterday, returned to the
assault, but the attack was In vain
and the enemy had to seek shelter in
his positions, leaving the French the
masters of the situation.
Enemy Had Interior Line.
In their great race to attain the COM
munications connecting the north and
south at Amiens the Germans had the
advantage Of knowing exactly where
they were going, and when the British
and French troops retired before the
Immense volume of German troops the
enemy again was favorably placed for
rushing reinforcements from one part
of the line to another. owing to the
fact that he occupied the interior line
Of a semi-circle in which the battle
was being fought.
In the first few days of fighting the
Germans naturally were able to pick
up many groups of prisoners which
had become isolated from the main
bodies during the receding movement,
but recently their haul of captives has
been comparatively small.
The French did remarkable feats in
connection with the transport of troops
when called upon to support their
British allies in holding the southern
battle One army corps came from
long distance to be thrown immedi-
atelv into TIN fighting as the men de-