South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-03-25
OFFENSIVE FOR
OUIETING EFFECT
Unrest in Germany Caused
MiIitariStS to Launch
Great Attack.

NFFl man Intensive ott9 p ti4r NoA NN
partments weekly communication
issued today. proves that the Ger
man nilitarists no longer able TO
control the German people by polit-
ical maneuvering. have been forced
20 attempt a gigantic feat OF arms
TO maintain their domination.
While the great attack has been
able TO make Roadway. no definite
enveloping movement has been out
lined. the communique says, and IL
would be premature TO express opin-
ions on the tactical phases with "a
combat situation inevitably changing
i'm a battle of such magnitude.
The assault launched by the Ger
mans against the British front has
reopened the fighting season in the
west" says the cOmmunique.
This operation confirms to us
that the German higher command.
unable 90 control the strategic posi-
ton through political agencies. as
has been increasingly attempted dur
ing the past four months, has been
forced 10 engage in a desperate mill
tary venture in an effort 10 retain
its domination over the peoples of
the central empires and if possible
force a victorious peace by the for
tune Of arms.
Began at Dawn.
THE German attack began with "a
brief but overwhelming artillery
bombardment with high explosives
and gas shells at dawn on March p
in she rolling country north of the
Disc, "a miles northeast of Paris.
From Croissilles. south of Ven
deuile. a distance of AZ miles, the
Germans concentrated this prelimi-
nary barrage in which a number of
Austrian batteries participated.
AT the same time hostile artillery
was active in the Ypres-La bassee
region.
Furious Fighting Continues.
THE German infantry divisions
thereupon advanced 10 the attack
along the TANKS of the salient in
front of Cambria Furious fighting
continues on the northern front be
tween Croissilles. Buillcourt and
Lagnicourt; on the southern, along
the line Gouzeaucourt-Harg
Leverguier. and extending across the
Crozat canal TO beyond la Fere.
THE British forces are heavily
engaged. While the Germans have
been able TO make Roadway, no def
mite enveloping movement is as yet
outlined.
TT would be premature to express
an opinion regarding the tactical
phases of the operations now taking
place. We must expect further
changes in the combat situation.
which are inevitable in a battle of
such magnitude
Enemy casualties have been eX-
ceedingly heavy
Artillery duels are reported in
Artois and Flanders and the extern
sion of the battle front is possible.
British Were Alert.
Prior 10 the German attack, great
activity prevailed along the entire
British front. The British troops
were successful in a number of raids
strongly driven into the enemy lines.
proving their alertness and initia-
tive
Our own forces in training in
lorraine are still holding on TO the
trenches northeast o. Badenviller.
which were captured last week In
this region our artillery is continu-
ing TO batter the German lines. and
a number of scouting parties which
have penetrated the German posi-
tions report that enemy works have
been considerably damaged
I'm our sector north Of Toul our
artillery has sUcc essfully bombarded
enemy works and billets behind
their lines. During a raid one Of
our patrols reached the German sec
Ond lire and returned without suf-
fering any casualties.
Americans Enter Battle
In this area the enemy made
thrust against the French forces on
our flank. Our own forces became
off.
"A hostile reid was also attempted
against our forces at another point.
This operation was preceded by a
strong baIrage. our infantry. well
supported by artillery, was able 10
stop the attacking column before
our trenches were reached. our
troops raided hostile works ease Of
Luneville. I'm the Ldon area the
enemy used "a considerable number
of gas shells, causing only slight
casualties. Gas commandments were
noted in Lorraine.
The French front has been eN-
tremely active Large raiding oper-
ations were undertaken. more espec-
tally i'm the Nerdun area"