CROWN PRINCE LEADING THE MAIN ATTACK

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

CROWN PRINCE LEADING THE MAIN ATTACK

BRITISH HOLDING LINE SOUTH OF THE AISNE. l/JNDOM, May 28. The headquarters correspondent of the United Presa cays:—The longdelayed Germau ollensive seems at band. They attacked this morning the British along the Aisne, west of Rhciins, and the French on both the British Hanks simultaneously with thrusts against tho Allies in the region of Mbntdidicr aad amongst the hills south-west of Ypres. The Germans made slight progress in some places and were held up at others. Apparently the Montdidier attack wae stopped easily, but the Crown Prince's thrust between Noyon and Rhcims seems heavier. The British are reported to be holding the lino from Cormicy, two miles south of Berry-au-Bac, through Bouffignereus. miles due westward, to Conccvreux, on the Aisne, five miles south-west of Craonne, a little south of the old advanced line. The French are apparently holding a line along the Aisno in a uorth-wceterlv direction, while the French and British on the right of Connicy are reported to huve taken up their appointed battle positions. The French have re-established the line on the Lys battlefront where the Germans penetrated early this morning. Fighting continues. The Germans south of Diekebasch apparently still hold SOO yards of the French trenchea, and also part of tho front system in the same region, bnt the French arc fighting vigorously. The French have already taken 100 prisoners. Fine weather prevails, and the aeroplanes are very active. The enemy are heavily massed around Peronne, Roye, Ham. Ncele, and Noyon. There is every indication that the enemy is ready to throw everything into the third and, perhaps ultimate, phase of the offensive.— (A. and N.Z. Cable.) Renter's correspondent at French headquarters, writing at noon en Monday, describing tho renewal of operations by the Germans, cays that the Crown Prince's forces, probably commanded by Generals yon Bulow and yon Eoehm, started at dawn and launched an attack after a liberal bombardment throughout the first part of the night. The Allied commanders have the (situation well in hand, and are waiting to see whether the attack is purely a demonstration in force or will develop into a general'battle. Possibly the enemy is merely endeavouring to attract the Allied reserves, while concentrating his forces for a main attack eleewhere.—(Reuter.)