Counter Attacks by Joint Allied Armies in France
British and German forces clash along the Somme front with heavy fighting near Bapaume Peronne and Chauny. British and French units hold lines as Haig’s masterly defense stalls German advances after four days of brutal combat. Air action reports 54 enemy machines brought down, Manchester mentions Mannheim bombs.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
France
Bapaume
Peron
Marshal Haig
Somme
Peronne
Arras
Albert
Berlin
Trans- Joy-Combles-Maurepas
Chauny
Oise
la Fere
St. Quentin
Chemin Des Dames
Rheims
Compeigne
Paris
Mannheim
Germany
Ham
German Account of First Day's Fight on Western Front
Amsterdam dispatch from March 24 reports that British artillery showed uncanny precision while German and Austro-Hungarian guns cleared the way for infantry. German storm troops crossed into enemy lines as mist hampered operations. British leadership was praised yet deemed unequal to the blow. By evening, Allied front lines were pushed back across a broad front.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Amsterdam
Vossische Zeitung
von Hindenburg
British Fall Back Still Fighting
London reports that during their retreat the British defended every hill ridge and fortification with stubbornness. German war correspondents say British artillery sacrificed itself to cover the retreat, batteries breaking up only as German storming troops closed in, with gunners firing their last ammunition before retreat.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
London
Amsterdam
British Extend Lines on Jordan in Palestine
British positions on the left bank of the Jordan in Palestine were extended on Friday night, it is announced officially.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jordan
Palestine
London
Teuts Abandon First Lines In Toul Sector
American artillery in the Toul sector shells first line trenches and nearby towns while German gas attacks threaten American positions. An American patrol recovered papers from five Germans found in a shell hole, including a letter from a daughter predicting peace by July or August.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Associated Press
France
Toul
St. Boussant
Baqueteau
Presidents Wilson and George Praise Haig’s Stand
President Wilson cabled admiration for British forces resisting the German offensive and predicting allied victory. King George telegraphed Field Marshal Haig praising fortitude and courage, expressing confidence and blessings for the soldiers in this time of trial.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Wilson
King George
Gen
Haig
Washington, D. C
London
Ming George
Pield Marshal Haig
American Liner Chattahoochee Sank Off English Coast
London reports the American steamer Chattahoochee of 6,088 tons net has been sunk by a German submarine off the English coast. The crew of 78 were landed safely after torpedoes struck four times. The Cimttahoochee, formerly Sachsen, was torpedoed off the English coast and was among ships seized when the United States entered the war.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
London
Admiralty
New York
United States
Belfast
Germans in Petrograd Are Reported Late Arrival
A dispatch from American Consul Tredwell dated March 20 predicted German occupation of Petrograd within 26 hours. The report said virtually all Americans had left the city.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington, D. C
Petrograd
Tredwell
Re Department
German Drive Presses On At Somme Front
British counter attacks continue between Nesle and Uam as German forces, lacking artillery support, push forward by sheer numbers. Heavy fighting along the Somme corridor near Ervillers persists with German cavalry harassing withdrawals and Allied counter thrusts aimed at restoring lines. The Teuton offensive presses toward the old Somme battlefield as daybreak sees continued artillery exchanges and bloodied combat along Bapaume Peronne and the Somme canal south of Ham.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
London
Nesle
Uam
Reuter
Bapaume
Peronne
Ervillers
Somme
Ham
American engineers in battle praised for gallantry in Cambrai fight
British Army Headquarters in France reports American engineers again in fierce conflict on the front. They have performed excellent transportation work and their presence has long been known. They were praised for gallantry in the Cambrai battle last fall.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
France
Cambrai
German Attacks Repulsed on Western Front War News
Paris reports renewed bombardment and battlefield gains as British and French forces counterattack along the Somme and around Bapaume. German thrusts are checked at multiple points while observers warn of a deep wedge in the Allied line near Noyon and Chauny.
Bapaume Captured In Night Fighting On Somme Front
Berlin says Germans now stand north of the Somme middle sector. Bapaume fell in night fighting and Nesle, Guiscard, Chauny and others were taken. More than 45,000 prisoners and over 600 guns reported captured. French, British, American units counterattacked but were driven back toward Combles and the heights west of the town.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Berlin
British Admiralty
Wireless
Somme
Bapaume
Nesle
Guiscard
Chauny
Combles
Flanders
Dutch Cabinet Refuses Grain Offer for Ships
The Dutch cabinet reportedly decided to formally refuse allied demands for grain in return for Dutch ships. A dispatch from The Hague to the Daily Mail notes the plan to place 160,000 tons of foodstuffs at Halland's disposal, with Dutch ships to carry the supplies.
Great Offensive Crisis of War by Frank H Simonds
Frank H Simonds argues the German assault in Picardy marks a world war turning point aimed at securing Mitteleuropa by victory. He contends Britain is the primary target, with the trench battle shifting toward a traditional offensive as German artillery opens a decisive 50 mile front between the Scarpe and the Oise.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New York
Picardy
Napoleon
Moscow
Germany
Bernhardi
William TI
Altho
Britain
France
Haig
Mons
Marne
Verdun
Rumor Control On War News From The Front
The piece notes circulating sensational reports about Hindenburg capture and Berlin victories, denying events such as Kaiser's HQ changes or Allied setbacks. It explains staff efforts to correct rumors, promises extras if major news breaks, and cites Associated Press ground coverage. Readers are urged not to trust hearsay until reported by newspapers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Germany
Berlin
Associated Press
Impossible to Miss Germans in Big Swarms
London dispatch reports German forces swarmed No Man's Land during first attacks, British guns at Epehy firing at 400 yards for hours. Leicestershire troops, including two tanks, held Perzieres briefly then charged through two German lines to rejoin the main force.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
London
No Man's Land
France
Pally Express
Epehy
Perzieres
German Losses Described as Heavy at Bapaume
London report says Emperor William and Field Marshal von Hindenburg visited Peronne Sunday evening per Amsterdam advices via Exchange Telegraph. German losses at the battle of Bapaume described as comparatively heavy. Senate passes war department bill authorizing presidential requisition of timber and lumber for military and naval needs. bill now goes to the House. San Felice cigar noted.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
London
William
Field Marshal von Hindenburg
Peronne
Gerlin
Amsterdam
Bapaume
Washington
War Department
Army
Navy
Emergency Fleet Corporation
Senate
House
Also Mentioned on This Page
War Office
Licourt
Brie
Bananma
Preennancey
Tween Peroone
Champagne
Alsace
el Tovar
Havana
Chattahoochie
England
Nesse
Somme Battlefield
Somie
Noyon
Dunkirk
Richard Arapu
L’oeuvre
Bapaume Laptured
AY Teuto
Peranne
Frank H Simonds
McClure Newspaper Syndicate
Arate
Scarpe
Crown Prince
A. E. Johnson
Black Hawk County
Liberty Loan
J. M. Grim
Cedar Rapids
San Felice
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!