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Grey River Argus, 20 May 1918, Page 3

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OPERATIONS IN FRANCE. PURELY MINOR CHARACTER. ENEMY BOILING UP FOR A BIG EFFORT. AN_ INTERESTING ACCOUNT. Australian •ad jn. %• table Assn., and f : '(Rec. May 19, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, luay 18. A high authority has explained that hik statements might be regarded as tiie considered opinion of the General Staff. As far as can be published the operations in France are of a purely minor character, more or less, in the nature of sparring. A TRIBUTE TO THE ENEMY. On the whole balance with us, the enemy has been extraordinary good infiltring himself. Staying in the position taken, often widening the breach until he is able to hold it. This comes from exceedingly good brains ot regimental officers and subordinate staff, in this respect, all through the war, the .Germans have been better than we have at this game. . OUR* AIR WORK. Our chief feature has been our air. work. Between the 9th and 15th of May, we brought down 71 enemy machines in flames, as against 19 of ours missing. We are infinitely better in the air this year than twelve months ago. Again the Aviation Corps played a very .important part in the first phase of bringing the German offensive to a standstill. TANK ATTACKS. In the tank attacks at Villers-Bret-toneux, our seven tanks, with a crew of twenty, put four hundred Germans out of action and broke up the advance of a complete brigade. AN ENEMY STATEMENT.In reference to the" German statement that the Fifty-sixth Division was almost wiped out, the fact was that the Division loat 43 officers 1425 men The enemy reported that the fourth Yorks were captured completely, when only 191 are missing; He also stated that the Fifth Berks were annihilated when only four officers and 100 men icpresented the loss. BOILING UP. « lv regard to the position in France the enemy is now hotting up tor a big effort If he waits a little longer he will probably be able to resume in tile same strength as on March 21st. &n the other hand the longer he waits the more time we have for preparation in co-operation with the Allies. . THE AMERICAN FACTOR. The Germans are trying to JwUttlethe American factor. They did the Bame with the "contemptible little army " If they had nothing to fear from the Americans, there was not a particular ieason why the Germans should have regarded everything. On the present offensive, there was every confidence that the American Army would make good. IN PALESTINE.. General Allenby's main °bie r et. fi i n Palestine has been verj: greatly fulnlled. There was no intention to occupy much country east of Jordan, but merely to ease the situation for the Arabs down south, in smashing up the Hedjaz railway.