THE WEST FRONT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17326, 28 May 1918, Page 5

THE WEST FRONT

THE OVERDUE ATTACK. DELAY FAVOURABLE TO ALLIES. THE TRAMP OF ONCOMING AMERICAN TROOPS Renter's Telegrams. LONDON, May 26. Renter's correspondent at British Headquarters says: The overdue German attack is assuredly coming, but every day's pause finds the Allies better prepared, and their confidence was never higher, while the tramp of the oncoming American troops is almost monotonously reassuring. Reuter's correspondent at French Headquarters dwells on the difficulty of determining where the enemy are likely to attack, owing to the enemy's new methods of employing assaulting troops and holding heavy masses in reserve and quickly moving them to the striking point. The number of enemy divisions to-day is approximately known, but the density of the enemy front affords no clue to their intentions. Fortunately, with unity of command, masses of the British, French, and American reserves will be available for instant service wherever the front is threatened. The semi-official German newspaper Norddeutsche Zeitung explains that the pause in the offensive is due to training the storming divisions in new fighting methods, with a view to diminishing the bloody losses. The pause is not forced on the Germans, but is the outcome of the German commander's own plans. ON THE FRENCH FRONT. ARTILLERY ACTIVITY 1 . ENEMY RAIDS FAIL. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter. LONDON, May 26. (Receved May 27, at 7.15 p.m.) A French communique states that there is fairly great reciprocal artillery activity at Hangard Wood, south of the Avre. Enemy raids on posts at the Orvillersoel sector, Champagne, and Vosges failed. The evening French communique states : Wo repulsed a raid northward of Bailleul. The enemy heavily gas-shelled VillersBretonneux and westward of Hinges. ENEMY GUNFIRE INCREASES. EXTENBIVE INTENSE BOMBARDMENT. IMMEDIATE OFFENSIVE NOT EXPECTED. Reuter's Telegrams. . LONDON, May 26. (Received May 27, at 7.45 p.m.) Reuter's correspondent at the British Headquarters, under to-day's date, says : Since last evening the enemy's artillery fire has markedly increased at various places. Villers-Bretonneux, the Scarpe V alley, Aucienovillers, Englebelmer, Mailly-Mailet, and Martinsart have been bombarded with gas and high explosive shells. There has also been a prolonged outburst of intense gunfire from Festubert to Ypres. During the afternoon the up™ar lulled. There is no reason to assume that the bombardments herald an imminent ranimption of the offensive.