The Kadoka press and Kadoka reporter. [volume] (Kadoka, S.D.) 1910-1923, 1918-03-29
HUNS OPEN BIG
BATTLE IN west
Penetrate British Front Lines Be-
tween SCarpe and
Vendguil.
HEAVY LOSSES FOR ENEMY
Teutons Start Offensive With Heavy
Artillery Bombardment on Fifty
Mile Front-Attack Is No Sur.
prise to the Allies.

London March 23.-Ficld Marshal
llaig'S report from British headQuur-
tcrS in France describes the German
offensive rs comprising an intens" bonn
bardment by the artillery and pow
erful infantry attack on IA front of
about fifty miles. Some of the British
positions were penetrated, but the Ger
man losses are declared 10 have been
exceptionally heavy. On no part Of
the long front of the attack did The
Germans attain their objective \
powerful infantry attack was launched
by the enemy on Il front of over fifty
miles, extending from the River Disc
in the neighbOrhood of La Fere to the
Sensee river, about CroiSelles.
London, March 23.-By employing
masses of troops. supported by great
weight Of artillery, the Germans ap-
pear to have penetrated the British
front line ut certain points between
the Scarpe and Nendguil, says Reuters
correspondent at British headquarters
There are unconiirmed rumors that
the enemy has employed tanks"
Field Marshal Haigs report from
British headquarters in France de-
Scribes the German offensive as COM
prising an intense bombardment by
the artillery and powerful infantry
attack on a front of over fifty miles.
Some of the British positions were
penetrated, but the German losses are
declared TO have been exceptionally
heavy. On no part of the long front
Of the attack did the Germans attain
their objective.
The German attack against the Brit
lsh lines was on larger scale than
any made thus far during the war on
any part of the western front, Andrew
Bonar Law, spokesman Of the govern
ment. told the house OF commons. "Our
outpost troops" ne added, "have been
withdrawn on one part of the line
which was very lightly held.
This was nothing more than was
expected, and was in accordance with
instructions. There was nothing in the
nature OF II surprise about the attack.
"Our staff and the Versailles coun-
ell naturally have been considering
what might happen In the event of an
attack"
British Army Headquarters in
France, March 23.-The Germans
launched a heavy attack against the
British lines in the afternoon over a
wide front in and near the Cambrai
sector and the assault bears all the
earmarks Of being the beginning of
the enemys much-heralded grand Of
fensive.
Hard fighting is proceeding from a
point north of LagincOurt southwark
to Gauche wood. just below Gouzeau-
court.
The attack was preceded by heavy
bombardment from guns of all cali
bers and the duel between the OppOs-
ing heavy batteries has been rocking
the countryside for hours.
The bombardment began In earnest
at five o'clock Thursday morning and
about five hours later the enemy forces
hurled themselves on the British front
line trenches north of Lagnicourt and
Louveral, the latter place lying due
west of Bourles.
Near Reims, too. the French were
subjected to an assault. but the artil-
lery bore the burden of the fighting
Nothing has been reported as to
attacks Oh the lines held by the Amer
leans. 1t had been expected that the
Germans would make an assault on the
American-held trenches in the LOr-
raine and Toul sectors.
That such an attack may yet be
launched, and with only slight artil-
lery preparation, is within the possibil-
tiles.
Following Il heavy bombardment,
the Germans launched an infantry at
tack on big scale on the north front
of Lagnicourt to Gauche wood, Reu-
ter's correspondent at British head
quarters telegraphed.
The official statement issued by the
British war Office says:
"A heavy bombardment was opened
by the enemy shortly before dawn this
morning against our whole front from
the neighborhood Of Vendeuil, south Of
st. Quentin. to the River Scarpe.
The bombardment shook doors and
windows of Dover and other towns on
the southeast coast of England.
Berlin, March 23.-"Between Cam
brai and La Fere," says the report
from German headquarters, 1--WE pene-
trated two portions of the English
poSitinpS"