Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1918-03-22
Shock Heard in England When Huns
Assault British on Fifty-Mile
Front in Grand Offensive
OUTCOME OF WAR STAKED
Enemy Advances Behind Smoke Screen
Penetrating Outpost Positions
But Suffers Enormous Loss

BRITISH ARMY HEAD
QUARTERS IN FRAN CE,
March 81. --- The Germana
! h is afternoon launched q
heavy attack against the Brit
ish lines over a wide. front in
and near the CambfAi sector
and the assault bears all the
earmarks OF being the begin.
ming Of the enemy's much.
heralded grand offensive.
Hard fighting Ia proceed,
ing from a point north OF Lag
nicourt southward to Gacheu,
wood, just below Gouxeau-
court. The attack was pre-.
ceded by q heavy bombard-
ment from guns Of all cali
bers and the duel between the
opposing heavy batteries has
been rocking the countryside
for hours.
The Germans have en-
ployed gas shells freely and
a constant stream Of high w.
locity shells has been break
ing with frightful conclusion
far back Of the British linea.
Begins IN Earnesl.
The bombardment bsfna
In earnest at 8 o'clock thk
morning and about five houra
later the enemy forces hurled
themselves on the British
front line trenches north az
Lagnicourt and Louveral, the
latter place lying due west al
Boursies.
At the same time other
German forces advanced be-
hind q smoke barraGe along
the ridge running northwafd
from Gozeaucourt. II may be
said that the attack In this
region was by no means un.
expected by the British and
that they had made great
preparations to meet the on
slsught.
The two vast forces nave been
locked IN bitter struggle over this
Wide front for hours. The bombard.
rhent was pf most terrific nature
ana finally the infantry drove for
ward against numerous points IN
the Cambrai sector. The prelimi-
nary bombardment had extended
from n point below 81. Quentin.
north 10 the river scarpe and al last
reports was In progress as far south
as the region OF Hsrgicours and IA
far north as Bulleeourt.
The early stages OF the battle
would seem TO Indicate that the
enemy was trying 70 drive wedge
on both sides OF the CAmbrai salinnt
and pinch II OFF.
British Were Expecting.
A keen struggle has been pro-
ceeding In the neigbborhcod ot
Builecourt and IAgnicourt and
south OF tho salient near Hsrgi-
court and HQnnssoy
The British had been looking foe
this attack today. Not only hsga
prisoners declared that yesterday or
today would mark the beginning ot
the offensive on this front, but there
were abundant signs OF an enemy
smash against the sector which ,was
the scene OF the last great battle IN
the British theater. That the Ger
mans were as thoroughly prepared
as possible was well known and Ra
n consequence the British had taken
extensive steps 10 meet the blow
II Is too early 10 predict the outs
come OF tho first few hours OF thu
struggle IN which vast forces and
every conceivable engine probably
pies. however Il may be stated that
the great concentration OF attack
lnu forces would probably result lll
the defonse line being pushed bach
In places This would merely 10
history repeating Itself.
This much Is certain; Al na
period has the British war machine
been in such perfect condition,
Sever before has the1eSkSen highes
morale or optimisniNaA'hOng the
British troops on the British side
there is no doubt hut that the de-
cision will eventually be in tho all
lies favor.
Germany Is stalking everything on
this play and " the great attack
fans 10 break clear through II Is be-
lleved that the Germans wiz ba
ther 10 offer except gradually
weakening defense
The SKY was heavily overcast All
CONTINUED On FAGr lhlRTErN