Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-04-02
DRAWN-OUT BATTLE,
LIKE VERDUN FIGHT,
THOUGHT PROBABLE
Germans Making Strenuous
Efforts to Bring Up Their
Artillery and New, Power
full Stroke Is Expected

FRANCE, Friday, March 29.-(By the
Associated Press. 1.-The impression TO-
night among the troops fighting along
the front is that the battle will develop
into a long struggle similar to those at
Verdun and the first battle OF the
Somme The Germans are making
strenuous efforts to bring their heavy
artillery forward to support their lnian-
try which has borne the brunt of the
whole enEagement thus far. 1t is con-
sidered probable that they will make
another formidable rush with all their
available reserves. but the allied COM
manders view the future with conf
dence They regard the situation as a
general rule satisfactory and believe
that the only change will be toward
improvement
The Germans now occupy a sort OF
pocket in the Franco-British lines, which
leaves them open to flank attacks.
For this reason they extended their at
lacking line to the eastward of Arras
for the purpose of smoothing out a
sharp salient, but in order to be sue
cessful they will be compelled to pay
a heavy price. Whether they will be
able to afford this after the extremely
heavy losses they have sustained, is
for them to judge. They used up
larger number of divisions of their re-
serves than they foresaw would be
necessary to make the progress they
had already achieved, for the resistance
of the British was unexpected, con-
sidering.. their immense disparity OF
numbers as compared to the attackers
Front now Fifty-hve Miles Long
The front now extends approximately
ffty-five miles and the French occupy
the line within few kilometers south
of the Somme river. Everywhere the
French and British are working In
complete harmony, holding their newly
occupied positions with wonderful tena-
city. Thursday, when the Germans
occupied a hill called Mount Renaud,
the intention of retaking it was ex-
pressed by a French general, but a
British general commanding a cavalry
division requested the honor of attack
ing il, which was given. The dis
mounted cavalrymen advanced to the
assault, watched by their French COM
rades, and. Notwithstanding the most
obstinate German defense, succeeded in
capturing the hill and in holding it
firmly ever since.
The Germans who were advancing in
two directions; namely. toward Amiens
and beyond Mont Didier, appear to have
slowed down their efforts in the direc-
ton Of Amiens and to have thrown the
greater part Of their force around Mont
Didier, where, however, they encounter
ed determined resistance from the
French. who even regained some ground
by counter attacks.
A rough outline of the position today
follows:
French Hold Strongly
The French are holding strongly along
the Disc canal and river. Thence south
ward of NOyon the front passes to the
south of Lassigny and runs in an al
most straight northwestward direction
TO the line Of heights westward Of Mont
Didier. Then the line runs north
through Gratibus and follows the
course Of the River Avre. 1t goes by
Hamel crosses the Somme, near Sally
le-Sec, passes westward of Albert and
Beaumont-Hamel, and afterward rejoins
the former British organization at He
buterne Bucquoy and Moyenville. II
leaves the Cojeul river to the east, and
then joins the original front eastward
Of Arras.
Today all along the lire the enemy
has been trying TO find a feeble spot,
without success. German divisions have
seemed TO give a heave- of their Shout
ders here and there to test the strength
of the defense and find the weakest
spot against which to throw their great
est efforts, but they have always found
stern resistance.
Morale Of Allies Good
The morale of both the French and
British troops is notably cheerful, and
they are confident under trying condi-
tions. They seem to know that their
turn is coming. Their protection against
German gas attacks has been efficacious.
49,
mans intended to use something terrible
in the way of gas, but nothing new has
so far appeared. II was proclaimed that
the Germans would use a swarm of
tanks. but only one has been seen, and
that apparently was one captured from
the British at Cambria. Small bodies
Of German cavalry have been observed
i'm the neighborhoOd of Ham, Nesle and
Peronne, but none has reached the front
line The diminution of German aerial
activity in the last few days probably
is a sequel of his heavy losses in air
men, but their bombarding squadronS
have been more active at night, espe-
Eially in the vicinity of railroad juno
tions and stations. On the other hand,
the allied aviators are always about.
harassing the German gunners and in
fantry formations. Tonight, as the AS
ISOLATED Press correspondent passed
along the rear Of the line, heavy bonn
bardment was proceeding, and the sky
was illuminated with the flashes of
guns
Battle Becomes General
The heavy bombardment which was
in progress last night when the corre-
spondent left the front developed to-
day into a general battle along the
French line from Moreuilto beyond
Lassigny. Here one of the crown
princes armies, under Won Hutier,
made a series of smashing assaults
aimed at various points and extending
twenty-five miles.
The French reserves came into ac-
ton with the greatest vigor, offering
the sternest resistance. Won Hutier is
utilizing the method of attack which
was successful at Riga, but this time
he finds himself confronted by troops
who are prepared to meet all his ruses.
He is throwing division after division
into the battle with which it appears
to be recklessness, but this principle
of risking an entire force in order to
attain an object can only be successful
when the adversaries are inferior in