Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-03-23

der the impact.
Upon one corps front their. was a
gun every fifteen yards. The strength
Of the Moftars which the enemy
brought up in such numbers sent over
such an overwhelming weight Of iron
that in most parts of the front trenches
were obliterated.''
Gas Shells Used.
"This Is the first battle where British
gunners had to serve their gun in gas
masks and it was a difficult task.
Fortunately practice with gas masks
had been taking place daily. Every
where found every one confident. At
places they had pretty hard job to
meet the masses Of attacking Germans.
South Of st. Quentin one Of our
divisions had to bear up under the re-
peated assault of at least six divisions
(about 10000 men) which continued
until darkness.
1T is estimated that altogether near
ly 100000 Germans participated in the
offensive. The enemy fought well and
his gunners did good execution. Ths
quickness with which the guns were
brought forward into No Mans Land
was marked. He had in many places
the advantage over us in positions and
at all points ne had the superiority OF
numbers
Wore New Uniforms.
At tho same time all Of our own
battery positions were drenched with
gas shells, but the gas shells failed to
reach all Of our batteries nor did they
succeed anywhere in breaking down
our fire.
At one point where the Germans
found our wire unbroken they set to
work with scissors to break their way
thru. All this was done under our ma
chine gun fire.
A curious fact was that the Germans
attacking wore new uniforms.
Got on their Sunday clothes to visit
Paris" remarked one British officer.
A British aviator reported 5000 Ger
mans in a body advancing near Bull
lecourt. Few German aviators were
seen.
More Intense Fighting Expected.
All day yesterday and much Of last
night the conflict continued to rage
with increasing violence as fresh Ger
man divisions were hurled into the
fray.
More intense fighting is expected.
The operation is so vast and is
changing with such Kaleidoscope
rapidity as the line surges backward
and forward that it Is impossible to
visualize the scene sufficiently to give
an accurate account at present.
Fortv-nine German divisions have
been identified on the German battle
frone. Some estimates place the Ger
man divisions engaged as high as
ninety.
May Be Decisive Battle.
The point where the British line was
broken is near the southern end Of the
German attacking front. which extends
from Arras to LaFere, fifteen miles be-
low st. Quentin. Below this sector is
the great arc In the front where the
line approaching nearest to Paris turns
sharply to the east.
The German offensive has developed
with almost unparalleled rapI6lty. Ono
reason for this is indicated In Field
WdTSIldi I1dlS > IepoIC SHo"iiiS IiiO
Germans constantly are bringing UP
fresh bodies Of troops.
Experience in other campaigns
shows the Germans as they progress
will meet more resistance. The more
deeply they strike into the British line
the further they must move from their
bases. They must move forward over
a. devastated area. while the british
will have the great advantage Of good
roads and railways. /
Perhaps the greatest problem Of the
Germans will be to bring up their
heavy artillery.
British DeFerses Improved.
The extent Of the British defenses
has -been subject Of much specula-
tion but 1t is known thew have been
vastly improved during the winter.
Earlier in the war less attention was
paid to positions Of the rear. The
British IN particular were said to scorn
elaborate defensive zones such as tho
Germans constructed.
After the detection OF Russia, how
ever, it became necessary for the allies
to consider defensive measures which
were carried out during the winter.
Germans Slaughtered.
Taking the situation as whole the
British are well satisfied with the re-
suits Of the first stage Of the fighting.
They lost several ruined villages and