Norwich bulletin., 1918-03-22

- -l Germans began the historic battle of Verdup, the thunder of their guns deepened into a tempest of tire along the British front in northern France and they began what may be the | greatest battle of the war, struggle which may lead to results which will shape the destinities of millions of people over coming centuries. Attack on Scale Hitherto Unknown. The attack was made on scale l hitherto unknown during this war of major offensives. It was over a front of fifty miles. Oficial reports are very brief, but correspondents at the scene. tell of the terrific storm of ar tiiiery fire that burst over the lines held by Field Marshal Haig's men. The bombardment began at five o. clock Thursday morning, just before lne early spring dawn was breaking . over eastern France. Shells of large and small caiibres were rained upon inc lines held by the British for about five hours Then German infantry sicrmed out to make the first great assault The Germans, favored by the wind. moved forward under cover of a Pail of smoke which hid the assaulting columns from the eyes Of the British holding tie front lines.
 Attack Had Been Expected.
 Describing the battle Andrew Bonar Law informed the house of commons that lightly held portions of the Brit ish line had been withdrawn, but said that there was no need for alarm on tho part of the country. The Asso- ciafed Press correspondent at the Brit isn front reports that an attack there had been expected and that great pre- parations had been made to meet 1t. The Berlin official report says that the Germans have penetrated into some British positions.
 French Lines Attacked
 Nor were the German efforts con- centrated on the front held by the British. Early Thursday morning the Germans assaulted the French lines near the village of Ornes. to the north east of Verdun. and claim to have penetrated a considerable distance Near Rheims, too. the French were subjected to an assault, but here tht artillery bore the burden of the fight. ing.
 The attacks at Verdun and Rheims however, may be considered for thu tune being as mere diversions to th' principal attack, which has beel loosed against the British. The, would serve to keep French forces 2 Verdun and Rheims from being trans
 
 Q part of the battle line should shov any signs of bending back.
 Nothing From American Lines
 Nothing has been reported as to at taclSs on the lines held by the Ameri cans. It had been expected that tn Germans would make an assault o the American-held trenches in tn Lorraine and Foul sectors, acting o the theory that troops which have nc had experience in engagements of tn first degree might be found to yiel easier than veterans. That such a attack may yet be launched, and wit only slight artillery preparation, within the possibilities.
 The activity in the American seC tors during the past three weeks woul indicate that the Germans have bee concerned with the disposition of Ger erai Pershings legions, their probab strength and the location of the ba teries supporting the infantry holdir the lines.
 Germans Called For Austrian Aid.
 The Germans have called upon u Austrian army for assistance in the effort to carry the battle to>the enten allies, for the official reports fro Berlin say that Austro- Hungarian a tillery is engaged along the weste front lt is probable that the gre Austrian howitzers or skodas, ha been used against the stronger secto of tho British lines.
 The French official reports state tn tho Germans have becn sanguinar repulsed in Q number of engagement notably on the Verdun and Lorrai fronts.
 The city of Kherson, s2 miles mort east Of Odessa. has been captured the Teutonic forces. This is an il portant commercial town and pC sesses a fine harbor.
 .Teutons Defeated in Naval 6attI,
 Two German destroyers and t torpedo boats are believed to hs been destroyed in a naval battle Dunlirk. The Germans came out one of their bases in Belgium a commenced an attack on the city DunlSirk French and British torpt boats trapped the enemy warships a visited sound punishment upon ths One British boat was damaged in fight. Ostend was bombarded
 British monitors on Thursday z British seaplanes dropped shells
 Helgoland.
 The British embassy at Washing has announced that since the beg hinE of the wan Il. .S27, 52S tons of Bl .sh shipping have been destroyed. D nEs the year of 1917. 6,7 23,623 tons,