DESPERATE GERMAN BID FOR VICTORY

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

DESPERATE GERMAN BID FOR VICTORY

ENEMY FORCES A PASSAGE OF THE RIVER ALLIED RESERVES ACCUMULATE AT THREATENED AREA t By Cahle. — Press Association. — Copyright. {A. & N.Z.) (Kec. May 29, 8.50 a.m.) LONDON, May 23. The Germans, developing terrific attacks along the Aisne front, forced a passage across the Aisne River between Berry-au-Bac and Vailly. The British and French are counter-attacking south of Dickebusch Lake. BRITISH LEFT FLANK FALLS BACK. (High Commissioner.) (Ree. May 29, 10.20 a.m.) LONDON, May 28. Sir Douglas llaig reports:—■ Towards the end of yesterday the weight of the enemy attacks carried him across the Aisne westward of the British sector, and compelled the left of our line to fall back. STUBBORN BATTLE SOUTH OF AISNE RIVER. {High Commissioner.) (Roe. May 29, 11.!.") a.m.) LONDON, May 28. A French official report states:— Between the Vesle and the Aisne the battle continues stubbornly in the region of the plateaux, behind which our reserves are arriving. ► FULL ENEMY FORCE NOT YET EXERTED. (A. & N.Z.) (Roe. May 29, 10.40 a.m.) LONDON, May 28. Major-General Maurice, writing in the ''Daily Chronicle," expresses the opinion that the Crown Prince's attack lias rather the appearance of a preparatory blow than of a great effort intended to produce great results. For some distance behind the 30-mile front attacked the British and French hold nothing vital, and have room to give way without serious consequences. The famous heights of Craonne and the Chemin des Dames are of great local value, because they command the entire Ailette Valley, and their loss will he inconvenient, but the Germans would advance into highly defensible country to the strong line of the Aisne. I,- The Germans probably reckon that General Foeh will try hard to keep the Chemin des Dames and also Scherpenberg. Therefore they hope to draw in more of General Foch's reserves before they strike the great blow. Nothing yet indicates that the enemy's main reserves are moving, but if lie- gains a considerable success now he may throw in his reserves for a great blow. ATTACKS IN THE NORTHERN SECTOIt. Writing at 3.-10 a.m., Mr Pcrcival Phillips states: — Simultaneously with the heavy assault on the French and British westward of Bheims this morning the enemy stirred himself between Ypres and the Somme. This is suggestive of the imminence of greater events. Before daybreak the enemy let loose a portion of his newly-massed artillery against the British on both sides of Arras, and on the old battlefield defence, thence to the Anere and Somme Valleys, but no infantry action followed. The German attack against the French between the Locre and Yser fiats appears to be local, though had the French given way the enemy would doubtless have been ready to exploit the situation. UNSUCCESSFUL ATTACK ON AMERICANS. (A. & N.Z.) (Roe. May 20, 8.:i0 a.m.) WASHINGTON, May 27. A communique from the American front in Picardy states that German infantry detachments succeeded in penetrating our W advanced positions at two points. The American troops counterattacked, expelling them and entering the German lines. ATTEMPTED AIR RAID ON PARIS. ENEMY MACHINES FAIL TO REACH CITY. (A. & N.Z.) (Roe. May 20, K.fSO a.m.) PAEIS, May 23. Au official report states that 10 enemy aeroplanes were reported to be proceeding to Paris at 10.30 o'clock last evening. Several bombs were dropped in file outer suburbs, but no machine te penetrated the defences of the i ity, where the "All clear!" signal "-as given at 11.4") p.m.