GERMAN HAND NOT YET SHOWN

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 16, 18 July 1918, Page 7

GERMAN HAND NOT YET SHOWN

(AUSTRALIAN-NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.)

LONDON, 16th July. There are indications that the German Staff has not yet shown its whole hand. Probably the Germans themselves do not know yet whether this offensive has disclosed a weakness which will make it desirable to launch a final attack. It is thus far certain that the attack is an attempt to capture Reims by a converging operation from east and west, thus straightening the German line by linking the Marne salient with the line' east of Reims. General Foch has always been prepared for this move, which has long been obvious. The Germans launched the first attacks between 4 and 4.30 a.m., while the mist hanging over the Marne Valley assisted them. The bombardment, which included gas-shells, was most intense between Prunay and Massiges. It was reported at midday yesterday tliat the assaults had been held up everywhere except on the Souain road, near Prosnes, and at Prunay. , The enemy westward of Reims had advanced to a maximum depth of from two to three miles by midday on a front of twenty miles. The Germans failed to gain the high ground east of Reims, where the maximum depth of the advance was a mile and a-half. They crossed the Marne in heavy mist, over difficult ground, owing to the thick woods and deep gullies. There were adequate French reserves behind the sectors attacked.