GERMAN PLAN OF ADVANCE

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLII, Issue 11501, 2 April 1918, Page 8

GERMAN PLAN OF ADVANCE

A WELL ARRANGED SCHEME. EOT FRLS SHORT OF TIME-TABLE-Router. Received April 3 noon. London, April Reuter’s correspondent with the French army says military- papers captured include maps issued to officers and sub-officers, detailing the German plan of attack. On the backs of the maps are reports prepared of tiie advance corresponding to anticipated stages of attack. These reports were to bo sent to the rear rs each successive objective was reached. The progress of the infantry was celcuiated'at two hundred metres per minute, which is twice t'-e rate allowed in previous o ifen sives. On reaching open country- they were to advance bymeans of heavy blows in rapid succession in order to Tiring about localretirement. The moment our troops fell back the Germans would follow, thus threatening units which had not retired, which would then bo subjected to fresh frontal atta ik, German cavalry was repeatedly reported in the Ham, Nesle and Pennine districts but in numbers never exceeding a regiment, chiefly for conveyance of information and support for infantry advanced posts. A REVIEW OF THE GREAT CLASH. BRITISH TAKEN BY SURPRISE. ! SPLENDID AIR SERVICE OPERATIONS. The Times. London, April 1. Mr Robinson, reviewing the fighting, savs thick mists on the first day wiifi one of the most important features, enabling the Germans in uni 11 v warts to approach closely unobserved, after which, mere weight of masses, despite swathes oi: slain, ruptured our line. Ulster divisions at St. Quinton were almost surrounded before they knew that an in- - fan try movement had begun, but 1 luck was not all on one side. Separate enemy masses attacked ouch other in the confusion.