German fears

Recent successes explained

There was another mild scare on the east coast last night. Zeppelins, it is reported, as yet the number unknown, were coming from seaward, passing over Cromer at 10.30pm and flying in a south easterly direction.

No bombs were dropped but searchlights were flashed from the aircraft.

At the time of writing very little in the way of detail is available.

Presuming the statement to be well-based the suggestion may be ventured that the German idea was to seek to prove to neutral nations that their visits have a real objective and legitimate purpose and that if bombs are dropped on unfortified places it is in reference to firing from below.

Certainly the original raid has led to a storm of protest from neutral nations, even the Swedish press now joining in the indignation chorus, and an attempt to placate opinion may have been attempted.

Surmises of the information, however, are not particularly profitable and further information must be awaited before attempting to draw definite conclusions.

In the matter of aerial activity generally there is the comforting reflection that we are in a position to do as well and indeed go one better than the Germans for our material is as good and our men better.

In an article entitled, ‘The aeroplane on the offensive’, there comes a significant passage: The writer suggests that by the employment in a particular manner of a weapon now in our possession it may be possible for the allies to reduce the duration of the war by many months.

He contends that the most reliable way in which the allies can use the aeroplane is for offensive purposes on a comprehensive scale.

He also calculates that at the present rate of progress in the war on land it would take 12 years to reach Berlin.

French official report Paris, Saturday, the official communique has just been released: The activity of our infantry has been devoted on almost the entire front to the repair of the damage caused in our work by the very bad weather of the last few days. We have progressed about 100 metres in the region of Lombartyde. In the sectors of Ypres, Arras and Soissons there were artillery duels, in the course of which we gained the upper hand.

Berry au Bac was violently bombarded by the Germans.

To the North west of the Beausejour the enemy made an attack which was repulsed.

In the Argonne the Germans sustained a complete defeat at Fontaine Madame. As was stated last night, an attack by the enemy at St Hubert gave rise to an infantry engagement which is not yet terminated. According to the latest news to hand we have maintained our positions everywhere.

On the Meuse our artillery fire obliged the enemy to evacuate an ammunitions depot and seriously damaged the bridge above St Mihiel.

In Alsace, infantry engagements continued and the contact of the forces was very close, the action is uninterrupted. Near Cernay the hill 425 has been attacked unsuccessfully by the enemy.