Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-03-30
BIG OFFENSIVE
tcontinued from Pace ore)

OxU VI II L2VOxV T.
tcent,rusd from Page ons)
a Strengthening out of the front before
Arras.
A German Official statement declares
that since the offensive began 20 900 pris-
oners and 100 guns have been taken.
1t is interesting to note that after seven
days Of fighting at verdun the Germans
claimed to have captured 10000. Taking
into considera ton the comparative mag
nitude OF the two struggles the Germa n
claim for captures may be considered
accurate.
The French reports are silent as
to the progress made on the line from
Lassigny to Noyon. except to say
that the attack is still continuing and
that fresh French troops are arriving
in this region. Nothing has develope /
TO show that this is more than a pure
1y local engagement fought for the
purpose Of preventing the Germans
from reaching the Disc river and hay
ing this stream as an additional pr.
lection TO their left flank.
While it has been officially report
ed from Rome that Austrian divis-
ions from Russia and Galacia, num-
hering approximately 4s0, 900 men have
arrived, on the Italian front. thel e
have been no developments there in
dicating where the expected blow from
the Teutons will fall
"A new advance by the Germans in
Russia is noted in London dispatches
This movement is in the neighbor-
hood of kursk, 800 miles south Of
Moscow. An official Austrian state
ment denies that the Bolshevik forces
have re-captured Odessa. the great
Russian port on the Black sea.
Further details concerning the first
part OF the battle show that no fewer
than 3S German divisions were thrown
simultaneously against a front held
by only eight British divisions over
whelmng them and forcing them
back Behind these British divisions
were only three others in reserve. BIZ;
the troops fought valiantly and de
layed the German advance for a con-
siderable time.
Since then about ~ additional German
divisions have been hurled into the bat
tie, a total OF 81 divisions, or at the pres
emit estimated strength of the German
division about 100000 men.
Not only the army of the Bavarian
crown prince, but also that of the Ger
man crown prince is now engaged. The
German generals Immediately COM
manding the troops, from the north to
the south of the front attacked, are Won
Below, Won Marwitz and Won Hutier
The fighting has been much more Sc
we're in the sectors OF Won Below and
Won Marwitz. 1t is evident the Allies are
gaining the upper hand and mastering
the enemy with artillery.
Owing to the terrible casualties among
his aviators. the enemy is compelled to
feel almost blindly for weak spots in the
allied lines, which he has been seeking
! constantly SO as to throw against them
some Of his dense masses. When it Is
remembered that the enemy has more
than division for every thousand yards
Of the front on which he attacked. an
idea may be gained of the difficulties
with which the Allies have been beset
At one point, on the Crozat canal,
where the Germans eventually gained a
crossing they made 16 different attacks
on one day. Finally the British corps
which was holding the position fell back
, absolutely exhausted, and the Germans
| crossed over bridge Of piled-up bodies
Of their own comrades.
The German advance. has beer
more rapid at some points and the
Allies have scarcely had time to get
away. from the cannon as no horses
were near. One French battery OF
75s was dragged five miles with ropes
by the gunners. who succeeded in
saving it.
A German prisoner who was inter
rogated today said the German troops
were greatly surprised at the small
! number of British dead on the bat
tlefield. They had been told the Brit :
| ish in front of them had been ami
hilated. 1t was evident small groups
had fought gamely to the last. Civ
ing the Germans the impression that
large forces were facing them.
The same prisoner said the Ger
mans had formed a special corps
, whose duties were to advance behind
the fighting troops and strip all
clothing from the dead. The bodies
he said. were buried without any
covering. and the clothing thus OBJ
tanned were served out again.
Reports from other parts of the
front seem to indicate thatselsewhere
/ the line is heinQ held NV naadioore
divisions brought from the Russian
front, the best troops having been
| withdrawn to participate in the bat
tie. +.