Arizona republican., 1918-03-29
FRENCH RETIRE
 IN FACE GREAT
 GERMAN CHARGE
All Efforts to Break Off Contact of English and French Hanks Fail by
 Heroic Defense of Allies
Republican A. p. Leased Wirel

lhepuDilCdn R. r, Leased WlTeJ
 WITH THE FRENCH ARMIES IN FRANCE, Wednesday, March 27.-(By the Associated Press) ).-Fresh German troops were thrown today against the French army maintaining the junction between the French and British lines, and notwithstanding the determined stand made by the French, they were forced to retire toward the west, the Germans breaking through at Mont didier and occupying that place. Fur ther south, the French held well, re- sisting all the German efforts.
 FIGHT TO HOLD CONTACT
 In the rear of the French army the movements were so intense that it was impossible to approach the firing fine. Notwithstanding the continued advance of the Germans, the battle has become more or less stabilized in the last two days. The French are pushing north ward in order to keep in close touch with the British who had been forced back by overwhelming numbers.
 French troops have relieved part of the British line.
 COUNTER STROKE PLANNED
 Nothing as yet has been allowed to develop regarding the intentions of the entente allied commanders, but it is certain that at an opportune moment they will make a counter stroke. The general idea of the battle as far as it has gone shows that the Germans chose to make their principal attack against the British front. At the same time they made a demonstration just where the two armies, French and British, join.
 FRENCH CLOSE BREACH
 The Germans succeeded in making a breach in the British line, which the French forces closed, first sending cavalry to fill the gap. The Germans had carefully prepared for this of fenslVe, whole divisions and army corps 'rehearsing the parts they were to play when the moment came.
 Just before the assault, the British lines were deluged with shells for a short period and with rojectles charged with noxious gases.
 THICK INFANTRY WAVES
 Then came thick waves of infantry, closely following one another. The first waves, or what remained of them, reached their first objectives and held on until further waves came along and cleaned up the isIets of British, who were holding on with obstinacy, using for that purpose jets of liquid flame.
 RESERVES HELD BACK
 Achievements joined the Germans, and from the captured first British line a murderous fire with rifles. machine guns and automatcs was opened on the rear lines of the British. This rain of death was so deadly as to overpower the British reserves, who could not sec whence it came and were unable to advance to the assistance of their comrades in the first line, owing to the severity of this fire.
 PENETRATE TO SECOND LINE
 Under cover of this hail of bullets the German waves of infantry made their way into the second British line. The Germans lay down when they had ad- vanced for some distance and allowed still other waves to pass through the intervals. Simultaneously, large num- bers of small cannon and three inch guns mounted on low carriages for quick movement and low visibility, were brought up close behind the ad : Vancing infantry. Approximately sew enty divisions have been definitely recognized as having been engaged in the battle, all of which suffered very severe losses.
 At the present moment the German movement is in the direction of Amiens
 RUSH IN NEW TROOPS
 The Germans made several assaults near Rossignol wood but on each oc- cason were driven back. Near Sally Laurette another sharp engagement occurred and here also the British maintained themselves and secured prisoners.
 The Germans are continuing to brinu up artillery and rush in new troops from various parts of the line in prep aration for the continuance of the drive.