THE WEST OFFENSIVE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17322, 23 May 1918, Page 5

THE WEST OFFENSIVE

the delayed offensive. GERMANY'S DILEMMA. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. WASHINGTON, May 21. According to diplomatic advices received, Government is having the greatest difficulty in explaining to the public why the west front drive has not ? nd wh y the attack on the Italian front has not started. BRITISH OFFICIAL REPORT. SUCCESSFUL LOCAL OPERATIONS. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter. o; r -I-) May 21 (1.50 p.m.). j ," , aI S reports : A Surrey battalion conducted a successful local operation noith-west of Merville (Lys salient); our fire broke a counter-attack against the new position the Surreys gained Amu successfuU y south-east of The enemy artillery is active. AMERICAN REINFORCEMENTS. EVERY NATIONALITY REPRESENTED. ..." ADAPTABILITYTHEIR LEADING CHARACTERISTIC. The Times. m d v , LONDON, May 21. . Mr . Robmson. describing the " American ? S J a f British front ' sa y s that the United States ranks contain even'thing from millionaires and professors to pugilists. There is also enough theatrical talent to supply half a dozen theatres. Ao one would venture to count the number of nationalities among them. There are pure-blooded Chinamen on the staff and there are Germans everywhere, while many of the best n.c.o.'s are Jews. But all are fused in the magician's melting Knn- m b ®" eath w hich is pride in b ° ld ,, G p lory \„ Th ey have much to learn, but they will soon know more than the a , ge , Tommy or poilu. They have adopted British ru.es and equipment. CAPTURE OF VILLERS-SUR-ANCRE. A BRILLIANT EXPLOIT. ENEMY'S DIFFICULTIES INCREASjiD. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. . LONDON, May 21. Mr Philip Gibbs describes the Australians capture of Villers-sur-Ancre (south of Albert) as a thrilling exploit, similar to then- recapture of Villers Bretonneux. Under a bright moon two parties, in the face of fierce machine-gun and rifle hre, worked up each side of the village, whose garrison had been heavily strengthened. following their creeping barrage through flooded ground, the water in some places being waist-higli, smashing through the entanglements, the Australians bombed their way forward to their objective down the sunken roads, driving the enemy before them Then a third body of Australians advanced at the centre and cleared out the village, where there was much heavy fighting , among the ruins, strewn t J J xl Gerrnat,s > for the enemy defended themselves desperately. The Australasians then consolidated the ground. l U1 ? succees has increased the difficulties of the enemy in any attempt they may make north of the village as they must now oome under enfilade fire! Alany of the prisoners are young, spectacled, weedy lads. They were very hungry, as they had been' separated from their rations for a long time, and thev eagerly accepted the biscuits proffered to them One prisoner, who, surrendering, shot a scoot corporal, tried to escape, but the incident was punished by instant death. A German machine-gunner wearing an Iron Cross fought so bravely that when sent back as a prisoner he was given a note expressing the hope that no one would take his Cross from him. FRENCH SUCCESS AT LOCRE. A BRILLIANT OPERATION. LINE ADVANCED SOME DISTANCE. Tfeo tt t> May 21. , ress reports that the French attack on the Belgian border was brilliantlv successful Thev recaptured Lowe Hospice, Brulooze. and the entire wood southward of Brulooze, advancing their line some distance, and taking prisoner some 500 men and greatly improving the positions in the neighbourhood of Mont Rouge and Snherpenberliie French casualties were light. Thev suddenly fell on the Germans along a front of between two and three miles north-east of the Merville-Lamotte road The British advanced their line on a 600-yard front. Local fighting is developing- 1 AUSTRIAN ARMY OF MANOEUVRE. ROME. May 21 (Received May 22, at 7.30 p.m.) The Epoca states that at Germany's request Austria is sending a newly-formed army of manoeuvre to the western front. FOUGHT WITH THE FRENCH. RUSSIANS EARN HIGH PRAISE. PARIS, Mav 21. (Received May 22, at 8 p.m'.) A Russian Legion participated in the rocont attack beside Zouaves, and earned tho highest praise for their dash and bravory. . [Tho eablo news In this Issue accredited to Tho limes has appeared in that journal, but onlv where expressly stated is such news the cditoria'l opinion of The Times/)