The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1918-03-25
GERMAN DRIVE MADE
To QUIET own PEOPLE
War Department Sees Political Ma
newer Back IF Big Enemy Often
sive-Eenture Called Desperate.

Washington, March 24.-The Ger
man offensive, says the War Depart
ment'S weekly communique issued
today, proves hat the German mill
tarists, no longer able to control the
German people by political maneu-
yer, have been forced to attempt a
gigantic feat OF arms to maintain
their domination.
While the great attack has been
able to make neadway. no definite
enveloping movement has been out
lined, the communique says, and it
would be premature to express opin-
ions on the tactical phrases with
combat situation inevitably changing
in 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 TO
control the strategic situation thru
political agencies as has been un-
ceasingly attempted during the last
four months, has been forced to en-
gage in a desperate military venture
in an effort to retain its domination
over the peoples of the Central en-
pires and, if possible, force vic
torius peace by the fortune of arms.
The German attack began with
brief but overwhelming artillery
bombardment with high explosive
and gas shells at dawn on March 81,
in the rolling country north OF the
Disc, "a miles northeast Of Paris.
From Croisille south to Vendeuil,
a distance of At miles, the Germans
concentrated this preliminary bar
| rage in which a number of Austrian
| batteries participated. At the same
time hostile artillery was active in
| the Ypres-LaBassee region
| The German infantry divisions
| thereupon advanced to the attack
along the TANKS of the salient in
front of Cambria. Furious lighting
I continues on the northern Hank be-
tween Croisille, Bullecourt and La
gnicourt, on the southern along the
line of -Hargicourt-De-
verguier and extending across the
Crozat Canal to beyond LIE Fere. The
British forces are heavily engaged.
While the Germans have been able
to make Roadway, no definite enVel-
oping movement is as yet outlined.
1T would be premature to express
an opinion regarding the tactical
phrases 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 exceedingly heavy. Artii-
lery duels are reported in Artois and
Flanders and the extension of the
battlefront IS possible.
Prior to the German attack great
activity prevailed along the entire
British front The British troops
were successful in number OF
raids strongly driven into the enemy
lines, proving their alertness and in.
itiative.
"Our own forces in training il
Lorraine are still holding on to the
trenches northeast of Badenviller
which were captured last week. In
this region our artillery is continu.
ing to batter the German lines and q
number OF scouting parties, which
have penetrated the German posi-
tions report that enemy works have
been considerably damaged.
In our sector, north Of Toul, oul
artillery has successfully bombardeC
enemy works and billets behind theil
lines During a raid one of our pa
) trolls reached the Germans SECOND
line and returned without suffering
| any casualties. In this area the enc
my made thrust against the French
forces on our flank. Our own force:
, became engaged. The Germans were
driven off.
"A hostile raid also was attempted
4 | Of inf
! This operation was preceded by ;
! strong barrage. Our infantry, wei
supported by artillery, was able t.
stop the attacking column before oul
5 trenches were reached. Our troop!
, raided hostile works east of Lune
vile. In the Laon area the enem!
used a considerable number of ga
shells, causing only slight casualties
Gas bombardments were noted il
Lorraine.
The French front has also beef
,, extremely active. Large raidin,
preparations were undertaken, NOR
especially in the Verdun area.
brisk French attack against the hos
tile trenches in Malancourt Wood re
suited in the penetration Of the enc
my line on a front of 400 yards t
a depth of 500 yards. Eighty pris
oners were taken. Another very sue
cessful French raid was conducted
against the adjacent positions nea
Chappy Wood, where on a frontag
of more than 500 yards depth o
500 yards was attained and numer
Gus prisoners were captured. Ameri
can officers who are training will
French units participated in thes
operations.
The Germans in turn temporari
!, ly were able to penetrate tn
French trenches at Camogneux, eau
rieres wood and BeZonvaux, whil
southwest of Ornes and west of APP
remont, the enemy thrust forward
: number of units and succeeded il
} overrunning the French positions ant
took prisoners. HITHERTO, there ha
. been no indication of an extension
of the German offensive to thu
French front.
I'VE also note that Yefgian unit
have taken over the important Nortl
Sea segment of the western front
!. which for long period had beer
held bXE:ench.'