THE GREAT OFFENSIVE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1339, 29 May 1918, Page 5

THE GREAT OFFENSIVE.

J HEAVY GERMAN ATTACK. SLIGHT GAINS MADE. DEFENCE FIGHTING WELL. (A. & N.Z. & Renter) LONDON, May 27. Sir Douglas Haig, reporting at 3.30 a.m. on May 27, slates: —The British division holding the sector of the French front astride the Aisne at Berry au Bac, between Bermericourt and Craoncllc, was heavily attacked. At. the same time hostile attacks in great strength were made against the French divisions on our right: also against French divisions on our left, along the high ground traversed by the Chemin des Dames. In Ihe British sector the enemy's attack was supported by tanks, and was accompanied by an intense bombardment of gas shells. Our troops on the right maintained their battle positions, and are in close touch willi the French. On our left the enemy succeeded after heavy lighting in pressing us back lo our second line of prepared positions. Severe fighting continues all along the front. Strong enemy attacks Ibis morning on the Locre-Yoormezeele front were repulsed by the French after fierce lighting, in which the enemy sustained "great losses. The enemy penetrated a short distance into the French positions in the neighbourhood of Dickebusch Lake, where Ihe lighting continues. Other localities into which the enemy penetrated in his first attack have been regained by French coun-ter-attacks, a number of the enemy being taken prisoners. FRENCH DOING WELL. (A. A N.Z. & Keillor) LONDON, May 28. A French communique slates: The /battle continued throughout the day I with extreme violence on a front of over 40 kilometres between Ihe region of Vauxaillon to the outskirts of Brimont. The enemy masses coming lo grips with our front-line troops, and regardless of losses, pushed towards the valley of the Aisne with some of (heir elements, and reached Ihe neighbourhood ofj Font Arcy al the end of the day. The French and British troops, in echelon, are retiring methodically and in perfect liaison, making the enemy pay very dearly for his inevitable success and assuring, by their resistance, inch by inch, Ihe efficacious use of our reserves. .Artillery activity continues very] lively on both banks of the Meuse,j in Ihe region of St. Mihiel, and on the Lorraine front.

BIG EVENTS NEAR. (A. & N.Z.I LONDON, Miiy 27. Mr Philip Gibbs states:—The German artillery fire on several sectors I from Flanders to the Sommc intensified tliis morning, as though preparatory to infantry attacks in force. Warning signals were sent up by our troops in some sectors, but infantry attacks have not followed thus far. A German assault commenced at dawn upon the French beyond the hospice of Locre, with the object of regaining the ground which Ihe French won on May 20, but it would be unwise to exaggerate the importance of the lighting, which perhaps is designed to divert attention from the main blow. The German attack in the neighbourhood of Locre is not a battle on a big scale, but great events must be near. The weather remains good, and there is universal activity in the air, our lighting 'planes going eastward in Hocks. The L'nited Tress correspondent [says: The long-delayed German offensive seems to be at hand. The enemy attacked this morning Ihe British along Ihe Aisne, westward of Hheims, and the French on both thej British Hanks simultaneously, with thrusts against the Allies in the region of Montdidier and amongst the hills south-west of Ypres. The Germans made slight progress at some places, and were held up at others. Apparently Ihe Montdidier attack was slopped easily, but the Crown Prince's thrusl between Noyon and Kheims seems heavier. The British are reported to be holding the line Corinicy-Oouree-vreux on the Aisne, a little south of the old advanced line. The French are apparently holding Ihe line along the Aisne, in a north-westerly direction, while the French and British on the right of Cormicy are reported In have taken up their appointed bailie positions. The French re-established their line on the Lys batllefronl, where the Germans penetrated early in the morning. The lighting continues. The Germans south of.Dickebusch apparently still hold 800 yards of the French trenches; also Dart of our fronl system in the same region, but the French are lighting vigorously. They have already taken 100 prisoners. Fine weather prevails, and our aeroplanes are very active, The enemy is heavily massed around Pennine, Boye, Ham, Nesle, and Noyon. There is every indication thai Ihe eiHMiij is ready to throw everything into the (bird. :a\(i perhaps the ultimate, phase of Ihe offensive.

VERY WIDE FRONT. j (A, & N.Z. & Reuter) LONDON, May 27. j A French communique siaies: During the latter half of last night, the Germans very violently bombarded the entire region between the Forest of Pinon and Rheims. The enemy this morning attacked on a very wide front. The French and British troops are resisting with their customary gallantry. ; There was lively artillery fire at jnight lime in the Champagne, on the right bank of the Meuse, al the forest of Apremont, and in Ihe jWoevre. I Local enemy attacks in the Forest of Apremont region anil north-east of Badonvillers were repelled. I GERMAN CLAIMS. I Admiralty per Wirtltsx Vres*. LONDON, May 28. i A German official report this evenling claims the capture of the whole lof the Chemin des Dames Hidge. BELGIAN REPORT. i (A. & N.Z.I I.ONOON, May 28. A Belgian communique slates: j Long-range guns fired on our back areas yesterday. RECKLESS ATTACKS. iltcutrr) LONDON, May 27. Renter's correspondent al British I Headquarters, writing on May 27, in the evening, slates: —The German bombardrflent this morning was scarcely less violent than those preceding the attacks on March 21. Gas j shells were prodigally employed, a north-easterly wind diffusing the gas widely along the Allied front. There was an intensive fire between I Ihe Ypres Canal and Nieppe Forest, I while the areas west of Lens and the IScarpe Valley were also heavily bom* jbarded. The enemy is heavily shelling far-back areas with high velocity I guns. His airmen are being unusualj ly venturesome. The British on the French Hank 'have been engaged. The Germans came in the familiar formation, dense waves keeping close up to their barrage. Against the first heavy shock Ihe French stood stonily on 1 Ihe lefl and in the centre, but were j pressed back slightly in the vicinity of the farm on their right. During the morning the Germans, with characteristic recklessness of Ihe cost, continued to push forward fresh troops, and the French were obliged lo yield more ground, but, subsequently, counter-attacking, they I restored their line at most places. The Germans at present have a footing in the French front line south of i Dickebusch for a distance of 800 • yards and also some bold al another) j point of Ihe front-line system in this; j region. The situation, however, appears lo be well in hand, and the re-| ports from the battlefield breathei confidence. Our artillery and the French are [barraging the German positions iji- ■ tensely. The enemy casualties must I be very heavv.

j A POWERFUL BLOW. j (A. & N.Z.) LONDON. May 27. ; The United Press correspondent j stales: Von Arnim Ibis morning i struck a powerful local blow loI wards Scherpenberg, which seems a {determined further attempt to reIgain lost ground. The battle began with a heavy bombardment from the canal bank near Ypres. The (ierman infantry advanced at dawn. Meantime the (ierman artillery 1 was furiously pounding several sectors more to Ihe southward, between I Arras and Albert, bill all was quiet I there at / this morning. j There was also quiet in Ihe Somme area, except for some gas shelling j about Corbie and Fouilloy. ALLIES WATCHFUL. I tHoutcr) LONDON, May 28. I Reuters correspondent at French j Headquarters, telegraphing al noon lon May 21, describing the German renewal of operations, says:—The Grown Prince's forces, probably commanded by Generals Franz von Below and von Boehm, al dawn launched an attack after a liberal bombardment throughout the first pari of Ihe night. The Allied commanders have the situation well in hand, and are wailing L) see whether the attack is purely a demonstration in force or whether il will develop into a general bailie. Possibly ihe enemv is merely endeavouring lo attract the Allied reserves while concentrating his forces for his main ailaek elsewhere.