The Colorado statesman., 1918-03-30
HAIG FRONT OF 55 MILES lS
SCENE OF MOST FERoclous
ALL-DAY STRUGGLE.
FRENCH PUSH FORWARD
IMPORTANT POINTS CHANGE
HANDS SEVERAL TIMES AS
FOE TRIES TO WIDEN ARC.
Western Newspaper Union News Service,


London, March 29.-After an all
day battle north and south of the
Scarpe, with Arras as the chief CEN
ter, the British forces have beaten off
the Germans, with heavy losses to the
enemy, according to the report from
Field Marshal Haig. The text of the
statement follows:
Heavy fighting occurred during the
day along the whole British line from
southeast of the Somme to northeast
of Arras, a battle front of some fifty
five miles.
This morning, after an intense en-
emy bombardment and covered by a
cloud of smoke, the enemy opened
fresh attack in great strength on
wide front south and north of the
Scarpe. At the same time a series OF
partial attacks was delivered by him
along our line southwark of the
Somme.
"In the new sector of battle, east of
Arras, the enemy succeeded in fore
ing his way through our outpost line
and hard fighting has been proceeding
all day in our battle positions. Here
all the enemy's assaults have been re-
pulsed with heavy loss to him.
Fierce fighting is still taking place
south of the Scarne.
"At Boyelles, Moyenneville, Ablain-
vile, Bucquoy and Puisieux, our troops
also have been repeatedly attacked
and have beaten off a number of de-
termined assaults. At Derenancourt
the enemy succeeded in forcing his
way for the second time into the vii
lage, but was driven out once more by
our counter attack, with the loss of
many killed or taken prisoner.
South of the Somme, our troops
have been fiercely engaged all day in
the neighborhood Of Arvilliers, Vomly
and Hamel. Different localities have
changed hands frequently in bitter
fighting, hut our positions have been
maintained. Heavy fighting continues
in this sector also"
Paris, March 29.-On the front from
Lassigny to Noyon our troops have ad-
vanced over line about ten kilome-
ters long to a depth of two kilometers,
says the war office statement issued
last night. The repulse of the Ger
mans in villages further west also is
announced.
The statement reads: Continuing to
attack with strong forces in the region
of Montdidier during the whole morn
ing, the enemy attempted to enlarge
his gains west and south of this town,
but III oil
counter attacked with the bayonet and
drove the Germans out of the villages
of Courtemanche, Mesnil-St. Georges
and Assayvillers, which We held solid
ly. On the Somme sector we are hold
ing our line solidly.
French regiments fought hand to
hand with the enemy and inflicted
heavy losses. Finally the French fell
back to the heights Immediately to the
west of Montdidier
Premier Clemenceau has declared
that the moment is near when the al
lied reserve force will be thrown into
the fight
Americans have been in the fighting
and have acquitted themselves nobly.
The Berlin report says: THE victor
ious troops of the German crown
prince have penetrated into the enemy
positions to a depth of sixty kilome-
ters in an uninterrupted attack from
St. Quentin across the Somme. They
pushed forward yesterday as far as
Pierrepont and took possession of
Montdidier."