Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1918-03-28
ALLIED ARMIES
FIGHTING HARD
]. TO CHECK HUNS
Haig'S Men Give Some Ground,
But Take Heavy Toll.
BRITISH ELUDE FOES TRAP
French Army Joins English South of
St. Quentin and InfIicts Heavy
Losses on the Enemy-Ameri-
can Engineers in Thick
of Big Fight.

every point Of vantage, giving ground
only when overwhelmed by numbers
and exacting frightful toll of lives
for every foot of ground abandoned,
the British line in Picardy is still in
tact.
While the German onslaught gained
ground at a number of points on Mon
day, there was no sign Of disintegra-
ton in the British forces, which at
many points, especially on the north
ern end Of the long line of battle, are
standing firm.
New Battle Reported.
The German official report tells of
the defeat of the British and their
'.retreat in Ypres and Sally"
This would seem to indicate heavy
fighting far to the north Of the Somme
battlefield, Of which no British report
has spoken.
There is, however, town called
Sally south of Bapaume and eastward
of this place is a town known as
Ytres. 1t is probable that these were
the points referred to in the state
ment from Berlin.
The largest gains made by the Ger
mans have been west of st. Quentin,
where they have captured Nesle and
Guiscard.
Over Ten Miles From Old Line.
These points, which are at the tip
of the Teutonic attack, are more than
ten miles from the front as it stood
March q.
Military observers discern in the
scheme Of the German attack repeti-
ton of the German ''pincer" system
of attack, which was used by Won
MackenSen in Russia, ROumania and
Serbia. This attack consists of two
attacks some distance apart, which,
after progressing to some depth, turn
toward each other, compelling the
forces caught between them to fall
back or be in danger of capture.
EIude German Trap.
The British have foreseen the dan
ger and have met it by first checking,
then forcing the northern jaw Of the
pincer southwark, while they have
not fallen into the German trap. The
pressure of the defenders of the
Somme front seems to be bending the
whole German attack to the south,
where it is hoped its force will be dis
sipated.
The French positions joined the
British to the south Of st. Quentin,
but there have been no reports show
ing that the French have fallen back
from their advanced positions.
On the other hand, reports would
indicate that the original French lines
now virtually outflank the advancing
Germans along the Disc river.
Fighting of the most severe
description has been taking place all
day on wide fronts south of Peronne
and south and north of Bapaume,"
says Field Marshal Haig's report from
British headquarters in France.
InfIict Heavy Losses on Foe.
|.During the morning of March % our
troops on the front from the SOmme
rs far north as Wancourt had beaten
y
complete success.
"Heavy losses have been inflicted on
the enemy by our artillery and machine
guns, while our low-hying airplanes re-
peatedly attacked the enemy'S advanc-
ing columns farther to the rear.
"a heavy attack delivered by fresh
enemy troops in the afternoon enabled
them to make progress west and south
west of Bapaume, in the direction of
Courcelette. South of Perenne our
troops have been pressed back in sew
eral places slightly west of the Somme,
while farther south the enemy has sue
ceeded in making some progress and
has captured Nesle and Guiscard.
French re-enforcements are arriving in
this neighborhOod.
sour troops. although tired, are in
good heart and are fighting splendidly,
and the enemy is only progressing at
the cost of heavy sacrifices. Our
losses in material have been heavy and
include certain number of tanks
The day communication states that
the British drove back to the eastern
lank of the Somme bodies of German
troops which had crossed the river be-
tween Licourt and Brie, south of Pc
rome, and repulsed powerful attacks
of the afternoon northward of Ba-
paume.
French Fighting Hard.
Paris, March 26.-The French forces
which are fighting to the south of st.
Quentin, around Noyon, though retir-
ing slowly, are carrying out strong
countcr-attacks and inflicrlng heavy
losses on the Germans, says the war =
Office Statement.
Taking over of a section of the line
here to relieve the British, was an
nounced in the day report.
Report From Berlin.
Berlin, March 26.-"Between the
Somme and the Oise," says the official