The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1918-03-28
BY WILLIAM PHILLIP SiMMS.
BY United Press.

ny united PreSS.
With the British Army in the
Field, March 25.-With increasing
intensity the fighting thunders on
from the Scarpe to the Disc.
Both the British and the Teuton
troops are tagged, but continue
their battling.
The British line is bending this
evening but it is not broken. Cap
tured prisoners declare that the
heaviest fighting is yet to come.
The Germans at heavy cost have
progressed across the old battle
field of the Somme, but the British
line everywhere is intact.
Haig's troops have withdrawn
in perfect order All night long
the fighting was most severe.
The Germans in dense masses
were hurled back in amending
machine gum rattle. Guners fired
until their pieces We're almost red
hot.
The enemy is pressing forward
without artillery support. trusting
in his ability to bend the British
line by sheer. force Of numbers.
The fighting on the road north
Of Bapaume continued desperately
this afternoon and likewise south
ward in the region of Ham and
Nesle. The enemy is desperately
endeavoring to maintain a cross
ing Of the Somme.
Field Marshal Haigs withdrawal,
previously planned in case of heavy
manner described as mastery and
great credit for It's success is given to
the small units, which sometimes num-
bered eight or nine to one, chung to
their posts and impeded the German
advance. The British have made few
counter attacks. but every one at
tempted has been successful British
efforts are centered on withdrawing as
occasion requires and permitting the
enemy to wear himself out before the
British defense.
Reach Old Battle Ground.
Sunday the fighting forces in the
north reached the old battle field OF,
the Somme, from which the Germans
retreated a year ago. Against Bapaume
and Peronne are the. centers Of tho
most bitter fighting. Bapaume is the
key position between Arras and Albert,
and Berlin reports that a gigantic
struggle is being made for it's pos
session.
The capture Of Peronne is claimed
by the Germans, but heavy fighting is
taking place north of it and south
ward along the Somme river. Between
Bapaume and Peronne the Germans
have reached the Transloy Combles-
Maurepas line. where they are held by
the British.
On the south end Of the great battle
line where the sanguinary struggle has
not halted for many hours, the Germans
have reached Chauny, an important
point on the Disc river southwest OF
Ia Fere. Here, however. their advance
has not been so great as directly west
pf ST. Quentin where they have pro-
crossed more than 10 miles. The Brit
ish and French battle lines meet near
Chauny and the French lines along the
Ci1emin Des Danes and eastward
toward Rheims would be menaced il
rhe Germans advanced as far as Com
peigne. on the road to Paris. But Com
.,eigne is good 30 miles southwest Of
Chauny.
Claim $4,000 Prisoners.
The intensity Of the struggle is shown
by the official announcement that
British aviators on Saturday brought
down 81 enemy machines. The British,
lost only ssass11r.= IN Sddition to carrying
out their work in the fighting gone,
British airmen again have dropped
bombs successfully on Mannheim, Cor