TERRIFIC ATTACKS DEVELOP

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 127, 29 May 1918, Page 5

TERRIFIC ATTACKS DEVELOP

HARD FIGHTING NORTH Of THE VESLE

ENEMY HELD IN FLANDERS

The Germans are developing tremendous attacks on the Aisne front, and they have forced the passage of the river. They delivered their main attack to the west of the British position on the Aisne, and here the enormous weight of their blow forced the French back, compelling a retirement of the English left. At its maximum depth the German penetration is about six miles, but the average advance is nothing like that depth- The greatest progress was made to the west of Berry-au-Bac, and from there to Vailly, on the Aisne, while the enemy also reached the river at Pontarcy, further to the westward, indicating that the enemy attacked on his familiar pincer grip system, assaulting with converging blows on two sides of a blunt salient, in order to force the withdrawal of the centre. Heavy shelling with gas and high explosives preceded the attack, and tanks were used by the enemy in the operations. Further to the north, westward of the Berry-Vailly push, the enemy attacked the Chemin dcs Dames, and claim the capture of the whole ridge. The attack in Flanders, which began at the same time as the Western Champagne offensive, was, as was suspected, only a local operation, but it was made in considerable strength in massed formation- Some ground was gained, but on the whole the line held well, and counter-attacks are now developing in the Dickebusch Lake area, two miles south-west of Ypres, at the one point where any progress was made. R is believed by military critics that both these operations are but preparatory to a greater blow to be delivered at another part of the line, and that the main enemy reserves have not yet been drawn in. However, if the enemy should find progress more rapid than he expected he may concentrate the weight of Jus blow on the weak point.