The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1918-03-28
Germans Start Spring Drive
But British Lines Do Not Break

met it by first checking, than forc:np
the northern jaw of the pincer south
wards, while they dropped back or
the center and did not fall into tn,
German trap.
] The French positions Joined tn
I British to the south of St. Quentin.
In the meantime the British strate
sy seems to be devoted to the task
If meeting the attack so that it is
directed no longer straight at the
line, but is diverted toward the Disc.
where the German advance has been
] more rapid.
French troops have taken over sec
'ors of the front and have relieved
he British units for work farther
north. Berlin states that Americans
nave also joined in the fighting.
The fall of Bapaume early Monday
was blow to the British, but it was
the result of determination to fall
being attacked.
back slowly all along the line that is
Berlin claims that $4,000 prisoners
SSh '"heh. lHcSe were prOba-
bly, units which were left to hold the
! easier defended positions while the
main portion of Field Marshal Haip's
| nmy fell back
That the British losses have been
heavy there is no question but, con-
'idering the magnitude of the strug-
gle, this could not be otherwise. Ber-
lin officially admits that the Teu.onic
losses were comparatively heavy"
The Germans have enlarged the.r
'war-map." They have made big
dent in the British front in the region
of Noyon-Royce- -Chaulncs-Bray-Al-
bert They have made their greatest
gain in this section, although far
ther north, little to the south of
Arras, they have succeeded i'm reach
ng the old British line. They seem
% be little to the east Of that
me from Albert to Hamsel, and eth
er astride it or just at it at Beaut-
mont and up Through the vicinities
'f Serre, Pusieux, and Ayette.
hence the German front turns
northeast, passing little west of
Ionchy and on to the original line to
Belgium.
This represents, in places, a gain
If from 25 to 80 miles, narrowing
lown to nothing north Of Monchy.
1t is a question whether the Ger
mans planed to turn north or south
west, after breaking through" Their
goal was Amiens, from which roiat
they could readily swoop upon the
channel ports or down upon Paris.
And now, after six days of teri
fic fighting the German offensive is
showing signs of weakening.
At late hour Wednesday night
he situation seemed to be similar to
hat of 1914, when Won Kluck at
.empted to dash on Paris, when III
German artillery could not keep up
with the infantry and the French
we're able to turn back the invaders.
1t is officially reported that 70
German divisions, or $4,000 men
have taken part in the fighting and
observers at the front say that 10
20 20 per cent. of these have been
lost.
In the Royce area British, French
and American troops are fighting
shoulder to shoulder.
Paris has been bombarded by
mysterious German canon which is
said to have been located in the for
est of st. Gobain south Of La Fere.
There is considerable doubt as tc
ne accuracy Of this, as the gun would
have to hurl its projcctile :.Lout 76l
miles.
An interruption in The bombai d.
ment on Monday was considered as
an indication that the mysterious
gun, or possibly battery of them,
had been located by the French acrill
forces.