Norwich bulletin., 1918-03-25

The withdrawal of the British forces along the battle front in France was long ago planned in the event of the Germans attacking in great force. This announcement comes from the British front through The Associated Press correspondent who describes the operation of the British army as a ulasteriy withdrawal, made possible by gallant shock troops in the front lines, who checked the advance of the Ger mans. while artillery, machine gun and rife fire worked appalling slaugh- ter among the masses of German in fantry as they were sent forward. thus enabling the main body of the British Co fall back deliberately and without confusion.
 This army. 1t is declare, has been conserved and up to the present very few counter attacks have been made against the Germans. Where the British have stormed the Germans newly acquired positions they have driven them back. But each mile of advance makes the bringing up of supplies to the German artillery and infantry more and more difficult, and unquestionably the British strategy, as demonstrated since the beginning of tAe great attack. is to let the enemy, as far as he may. wear himself out
 
 Both British and French forces, where their lines meet south of St. Quentin are watching events with optimistic eyes.
 Struggle Is Still Going On.
 On the battle line in France the sanguinary struggle is still going on with the British forces on most of tho sectors apparently holding their own with he Earrffnna of Sa1farf r10ir1fs stlli pressing forward
 The town Of Chauny. southwest O. St Quentin situated on the road tt Compiegne. the gateway to Paris, ha! been occupied by the Germans, and according to the Berlin official com. Eiunication, everywhere between tn, Somme and the Disc Rivers the Ger mans are pressing their advantage.
 Throughout Sunday along the entir' fifty mile battle front the fighting nev CT ceased for a moment, and wher Field Marshal Haig's men were unabl tc withstand the terrific onslaughts de iivered by greatly superior forces ground was given, but always in ord elly fashion.
 More Than Million Germans.
 It has now been definitely ascertain cd that considerably more than
 
 the Western front in an endeavol to crush the British army holding tn line from the region of Arras to tn south Of St. Quentin but it daily be comes increasingly evident that tn enemy in his drive has met with op position not counted upon and unabl 10 realize to the full his objectives.
 Claims Made by Germans.
 In addition to Chauny, the German are claiming the capture of bot Peronne and Ham and to have increas cd the number of prisoners taken { more than 30.000, in addition to so guns and large stores of war material lt is claimed also by the German that American and French regiment which were brought up to reinforce tf British have been defeated, but n further information than this mel statement has been vouchsafed.
 In their retirement according Berlin. the British are burning towr and villages behind them. This stat. rEent. however, seemingly is capab of being received with reserve, as u Germans themselves in their famol strategic" retirement left little stant Ing in the territory they evacuate even denuding the country of trees. Already the spirit of boastfulne which pervades the German army times of success is being strong manifested. Field Marschal Won Hi denburg has complimented the Ge man emperor on the initial succes md the latest German official cor munication is loud in its plaudits the German troops. declaring tha the attacking spirit of the infant could not have been excelled.
 Quiet On the Other Fronts.
 On the other battle fronts u lighting activity continues compar lively slight, except for reciproc bombardments and trench raidil operations Along the Aisne fro1 and in Champagne the artillery due between the French and the Ger1na have been somewhat violent IT Americans on their sectors, especial northwest Of Foul, are daily keepii bp their artillery practice, with visit sood results, against the Germans ront of them and now and then ca ryfng out successful raids.