Norwich bulletin., 1918-03-25
lar Departments
 Weekly Summary
GERMAN MlLITARlsTs FORGED
 TO ATTEMPT GIGANTIC FEAT
TO PLACATE PEOPLE
American Troops in Training at Lor- raine Are Still Holding the Trenches Northwest of BadenvilIsr Which Were Captured Last Week.

VdSHluStuIl, Mdrcn Zf.-Ine Ger man offensive, says the war depart l ment's weekly conlmunique issued to- | day. proves that the German militia rists, no longer able to control the l German people by political manoeuver, have been forced to attempt a. gigantic | feat of arms to maintain their donnin- ation.
 While the great attack has been able to make headway no definite enyelop- ing movement has been outlined. the communicate says. and it would be premature to express opinions on the tactical phases with a combat situation inevitably changing in 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. Desperate Military Venture.
 This operation confirms to us that the German higher command, unable to control the strategic situation through political agencies, as has been l unceasingly attempted during the past four months, has been forced to en- gage in a desperate military venture | in an effort to retain its domination 1 over the peoples of the central em pires. and if possible, force victori- l ous peace by the fortune of arms
 "The German attack began with brief but overwhelming artillery bonn ! bardment with high explosive and gas | shells, at dawn on March 21st in the rolling country north of the Disc 94 miles northeast of Paris.
 From Croisilles, south to Vendeuil, l a distance of 47 miles. the Germans concentrated this preliminary barrage in which a number of Austrian bat teries participated
 1 At the same time hostile artillery was active in the Ypres-La sBassee l region.
 Furious Fighting Continues.
 "The German infantry division there upon advanced to the attack along the l Hanks of the salient in front of Cam brai Furious fighting continues on the northern flank between Croisilles Bullecourt and I.agnicourt: on the southern. along the line Gouzeau- court Hargicourt Leverguier, and ex- tending across the Crozat Canal to be- Eyond La Fere.
 he British forces fly en- I gagged. While the Germans have been able to make headway no definite en- veloping movement is as yet outlined
 Tt would be premature to express cAl opAlAApl IC6eNluAAi53z IllCf .ldGblNdl phases of the operations now taking place. We must expect further chang es in the combat situation, which are
 inevitable in a battle of such magni , tude.
 Enemy casualties have been ex-
 ceedingly heavy.
 Extension of Front Possible.
 Artillery duels are reported in Ar
 tois and Flanders. and the extension of
 the battle front is possible. Prior to the German attack, great
 activity prevailed along the entire Brit , ish front. The British troops were
 successful in number of raids
 strongly driven into the enemy lines
 proving their alertness and initiative Our own forces in training in LOT , raine are still holding on to the , trenches northeast of Badenvillel : which were captured last week. Tn this
 region our artillery is continuing tc batter the German lines and a mum.
 Der of scouting parties, which have f penetrated the German positions report s ably damaged.
 @ Reached German Second Line.
 ''In our sector north of Foul. oul arSlery has successfully bombarded 7 enemy. works and billets behind thei | | lines. During a raid one of our pa tro1s reached the German second lin and returned without suffering an, casualties. In this area the enem, Il made a thrust against the French fore
 es on our flank. Our own forces be
 came engaged. The Germans wer
 driven off
 Y "A hostile raid was also attempte
 against our forces at another poins q This operation was preceded by
 strong barrage. Our infantry, wel
 supported by artillery, was able t s stop the attacking column before ou 2 trenches were reached. Our, troop = raided hostile works east of LuneviIlt l. In the Laon area the enemy used
 considerable number of gas shell. h causing only slight casualties. Ga h bombardments were noted in Lorrain, n Large Raidins Operations. IS "The French front has also bee n extremely active. Large raiding op Ie erations were undertaken, fore es
 peeialiy in the Verdun area. A bris ,e French attack against the hostil = trenches in Malancourt Wood resulte
 in the penetration of the enemy lin is on front of 400 yards to a dept > of 800 yards. Eighty prisoners wey IS taken. Another very successful F'renc
 raid was conducted against the a6 of jacent positions near Ckeppy Woo,
 where or frontage of over 300 yard e a depth of 800 yards was attained an ss numerous prisoners were capture s American officers wf1o are training wit
 French units, participated in these or 1t erations.
 'n French Trcnehes Fere+tr7tsi.
 'HThe Germans in turn teniporari
 were able to penetrate the Frenc
 trenches at Sarnogneux. Cauriere E. Wood and Bezonvaux. while southwe
 of Ornes and west Of Aprelnont, u rs enemy thrust forward number !. units and succeeded in overrunning u
 French positions and took prisoner r. < Hitherto, there has been I at indication of an extension of the Ge an man offensive to the French front nd We also note that Belgian uni K have taken over the important Nor m Sea segments of the western fror d. which for a long period had been he li- by the French.
 nd Hostile Activity in Italy.
 Simultaneous with the German 0
 fensive operations in the west, ' ch note further hostile activity in Ital ,rt which may be the prelude of an offe: he sive in this theatre. An Austrian d ,rt tachment launched a heavy assault Ie, the Frenzela calley and was able K penetrate into the advance outpos
 hut waz th@a.Alazas. -i---i-~s@