Norwich bulletin., 1918-03-28

of the counter blow which they think will be delivered soon by the allied armies in France where the rush ot the German drive apparently has been definitely checked.
 While no official report has reach- ed the war department showing the participation of American forces be- yond few engineering units, there was reason to believe that some part of General Pershlngs army might tako part in the attempt to hurl the Germans hack,
 The only report reaching the de- rartment today was a brief summery sent in by General Pershing showing the British battle lines as they stood early yesterday morning. The Ger man claim that s63 guns had been taken also was quoted.
 British Defence stiffening, Tonights reports from London showed that the British defense to have stiffened sharply in the last few l hours. Counter attacks mentioned 1t was indicated were of a local char acter and not to be. confused with the great effort to be expected to de- velope now at any moment Officers said the shock of the German drive appeared to have been absorbed by the withdrawal strategy of General Haig. Like the recoil mechanism of a great gun the blow has been pre- 1 vented from striking with it's full force by withdrawal conducted with l rnasterly skill in the face of the enemy assault
 All depends, it is said, upon the fore es the allies have been able to muster 1 to deliver the counter attack. There | have been every indication that both
 British and French have been using 1 endorsements sparingly, conserving 2
 the reserve power for the day that is
 just amead. The strategic reserve
 plans for the supreme war council at
 Versailles are now to be tested. it is
 indicated, for despatches from al
 quarters mention the gathering of ar
 Army of manoeuvre' for the work ir
 hand.
 | Assault May Be on French Sector.
 Again tonight the map of the battle
 me seemed to show that the assault
 Of the allies might come first. at least
 rom some point on the French sector
 There the French troops have stoof
 like 9 wall against German assault,
 for many hours anal they are lookin,
 out over the nerce centers of the en. l emy advance, his communication line,
 which parallel their front. Success there might mean the capture of mel
 by the thousand and guns by tn,
 hundreds.
 Whether by Gheir own desire or be
 cause of the elusive tactics empIoyet : by General Haig. the Germans appar entity stand committed to their presen effort beyond withdrawal For si. ' days they have battered at the Eng
 ilsh itnes, reckless of the loss of Tiff involved, bent apparently upon onl, one purpose, to strike with such ter } rific force that the British arm , should be crushed and useless. Nov
 it is pointed out, the first force q
 their rush has been dissipated an
 they have not been allowed to com to grips with the foe in a final strue T gle. Always Haig's men have slip l ped away to fight again and agai 4 withdrawn time after time. Now. fo the first time. they are striking bae at certain points and retaking groun 7 they had surrendered.
 r Germans May Be Enmenshed. e It is the view of many officers to S night that the Germans face the nros e 1 peet of finding themselves firmly en Il meshed in the net into which the n have have been drawn. Around the,
 stand the undaunted French an - British battle fronts and behind thos n fronts there is gathering a storm tt the shape of new and fresh arnnif IS soon to be poured down on their tire .- and snell-torn ranks.
 Is The army of manoeuver referred f fl in despatches is understood to be con IS posed of the general reserves of a y the allied forces. It was created F
 the Versailles council in response l. the insistent demand of President Wi r, sen for coordination action. Primar ri ss io the very nature of things it is , Te army of attack and it's units would t. assembled only when the assault W,
 to be launched.
 ts Unofficial reports have estimated II ,+ Germans casualties at 400. .000 me
 That means whole divisions shot pieces and out of action defi9itelv II,
 til they can be reorganized and r ', cruited. It means transport lines Ia, .a it en beyond belief with wounded: ss means scattered regiments and lo s equipment 's One thing has impressed everybo,
 here. Reports from London and Pa
 is reflected only high purpose and co,
 fidence. They read like despatch X from victorious armies. There was n
 one hint of panic or forebodfng.