VON HINDENBURG'S SUCCESS

Grey River Argus, 31 May 1918, Page 3

VON HINDENBURG'S SUCCESS

SAME METHODS USED. ENEMY CRACK TROOPS ENGAGED (Rec. May 30, 7.45 p.ui.) . - LONDON, i\loy 28 George Perris, the "Chronicle's" corespondent on the French front, j says that Von Hindenburg scored another spectacular success. After three hours' bombardment, largely of gas shells, tlie attack began at dawn, the Germans • outnumbering the defenders fourfold- or five-fold. An attempt to hold jChemin des Danies would -have meant tTie massacre ot our troops before the reserves r reached them. s,'he only tiling was to retire, ami steadily punish the enemy as much as possible. • ■ ■ Tiie -enemy used the same methods as in the Sldrch offensive, with some improvements. -He used reserves prodigally, and interior lines of communication skilfully for throwing I masses suddenly and unexpectedly on the chosen sector. : ■'■•■•< Only seven German, divisions held •the 25 miles of the >a]btacking front, until the eve of the ■ battle. Though the exact number of divisions employed in the attack is unknown^ yet they ■ were probaTSTy twenty five '- divisions, equivalent to over a- quarter- of ; a mil lion men. These .figures > are noteworthy,- since the Germans, on the aist had seventeen divisions "on a forty : mile front prior to the battle. -He used 34 for the attack -and probably, .used, far denser masses on Monday, because he intended to carry the Aisne heights in a single rush. In the circumtances the enemy necessarily won. some ground v i With sound tactical sense he directed a heavie rassault at the. eastern end near Craonne. ■ ft was soon evident that our line was untenable, and . the whole line was in danger of being turned.. The attackers included some, of von Huiier's specially trained units who were employed in the March offensive, and two Guards Divisions and -other crack formations, who got forward quickly at heavy cost. The English and Fernch retired W pood order, fighting continuously.