GERMAN PREPARATIONS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 115, 21 May 1918, Page 5

GERMAN PREPARATIONS

A GENERAL RUSH LIKELY.

'Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.)

LONDON, May 19. An Exchange Telegraph message from Paris says that the Germans have apparently* completed their preparations for the* attack, and there is likely to he a general rush, on the greater part of the front. The Germans have multiplied the network of railways everywhere. General Foch a few daye ago said, "Ask-me nothing, for I shall tell you nothing, but I know this. I have confidence." The "Petit Parisien says the German Staff aims at a victorious rush, followed bv a decisive war movement. The enemy have organised in mass formations deeply echeloned in the hope of producing a prodigious shock. A great number of mitrailleuses have been assembled to follow up the attack. Each assaulting column will occupy a front of two kilometres. The General Staff has ordered tbe troops to push forward no matter at ;what-cost-A French communique reports active mutual artillery fire north of the Avre. Renter's British Headquarters correspondent states that our line has been advanced over useful ground in the direction of Derhancourt. Considerable losses were inflicted on the Germans, and 200 prisoners were taken.

AN AUSTRALIAN SUCCESS.

CAustralian and N.Z. Cable Association.)

NEW YORK, May 20. The Australians captured Ville-sur-Ancre, taking 230 prisoners and twenty machine guns. The Australians's casualties were light. . (Rec. May 21. 11-25 a.m.) LONDON, May 20, Sir Douglas. Haig reports:—A locaJ operation at VJU e Sur Ancre was com pletely successful, the Autralians car ryihg German 'positions in and around the village, which they took possession of, prisonering 360 and capturing twenty machinee guns. Our casualites were light. , We successfully raided a post southwestward of Meterem, inflicting casualties.

PERFUMED GERMAN GASES;

(Australian and N;Z. Cable Association.)

NEW .YORK, May" 19

The United Press correspondent states that the Germans, are perfuming various gases, endeavouring to conceal their deadliness. Various new gase have smells resembling apples, bananas, pineapples, and orange's. formerly their •distinctive odours were readily recognisable by eas experts, who have now warned the Americans to beware of fruit smells. —; AMERICANS REPULSE RAIDS. NEW YORK, May 19. General Pershing's communique states that German raiders were repulsed on the Picardy and -Liorraine fronts. Three more enemy aeroplanes were brought down. HINDENBURG SEEKING NAVY'S ASSISTANCE. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Renter.) (Admiralty-per Wireless Press.) NEW YORK, May 19. The Navy Department has information that Hindenburg is trying to force the German Navy to co-operate m the second blow of the great offensive.