The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1918-03-27
c0UNTER!BL0W
FROM HAlG NEAR
AMERICAN, FRENCH AND BRITISH
TROOPS FIGHT SHOULDER TO
SHOULDER NEAR ROVE.
Tenaclty Of British Resistance Sur.
prise TO German Generals-Gl-
gantic Reserve Of Allies Pre-
pairing TO Strike at
Right Time.

London, March 26-Exacting the
heaviest toll for every foot of ground,
the British lines continue to with
draw slowly before the pressure OF
the German masses, Reuter- corre-
spondent at British headquarters
wires.
Over large part Of the battle zone
the retirement is being made volun-
tarily so as to maintain an unbroken
front. Prisoners say the advance Of
the Germans is behind their schedule
The tenacity of the British resist
ance the prisoners say, exceeded any
thing the Germans deemed possible.
They complain of great privations on
account Of lack of supplies and ex-
treme weariness also is telling heav-
| lily. Owing to the dense masses Of
supporting troops, however, the enc
my is able to replenish his forward
l line with fresh units.
The weather remains dry, thus IA
voring the enemy.
British airmen last night made veri-
table pandemonium of every center Of
concentration of traffic behind the
German front Tens of thousands Of
rounds were fired point-blank into
enemy formations, while airmen full
filled effectively their role as eyes
of the artillery.
Yesterday was the supreme day for
the British gunners, says the corre-
spondent. Attacking from north of
Ervillers to the point of British con-
tact with the French, the Germans
were held up nearly everywhere by
the ceaseless intensity of the British
artillery fire.
Masses of enemy troops, which,
coming forward in waves, again and
again attempted to reach their objec-
tives, met with the same fate as the
Old Guard at Waterloo. In only one
sector, near Sapignies, did they sue
ceed in bending back the British front,
1t was to conform the front with this
indentation that the British fell back
during the night, Strengthening the
line.
| The battle continues on the whole
front south of the Somme River, Field
Marshal Haig reports from the war
zone in France tonight. The Germans
have also launched new attacks
around Chaulnes.
Washington, March 26-An air of
expectancy was apparent tonight
among American and other military
officials here who are following most
closely the developments of the bat
tie in France. They appeared to feel
that a turning point in the terrific
struggle was close at hand. Press re-
ports from the British front limited at
the same feeling there
For the people of the United States,
the announcement by the British au-
thorities that American troops are
fighting side by side with French and
British defenders brings the battle
closer home. War department offic-
ials had no word from General PERISH
ing on the subject but were expecting
at any moment reports showing the
extent Of American participation.
With the slackening of the German
peace, there comes indication that the
allies are ready to strike back some
where along thine front. Just where
this blow will be launched will not be
known until 1t is struck, but 1t may
be expected that its impact will be
terrific.
,, 1t is known that the allied war
council at Versailles created great
strategic reserve of men to be used
in just the contingency which con-
fronts the armies which have borne
the brunt Of the fighting since last
Thursday morning.
This force probably will be launch
ed when and where II is believed it
will break the force Of the German
onslaught and send the enemy reel
ing back over the front from which
the British have slowly withdrawn.
Each succeeding day reveals the
plan of the Germans absolutely to
crush the allied lines west of Cam
brai, terrain which could not be de-
Tended by Won Hindenburg a year
ago. Each report shows that this sec
tor is valueless from a military stand
point and that the Germans have paid