FIGHT FOR THE CHEMIN DES DAMES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1340, 30 May 1918, Page 9

FIGHT FOR THE CHEMIN DES DAMES.

ALLIES OUTNUMBERED BY FIVE TO ONE. EIDGE LOST AFTER DESPERATE STRUGGLE. ' POSITION DRENCHED FOR FOUR HOURS WITH GAS. By Cable. — Press Association — Copyright. (Eeuter.) (Eec May 3,0, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, May 29. Router's correspondent at Headquarters saj r s: — The morning attack of May 27 was preceded by a fourhours gas-shell bombardment. The enemy engaged 25 divisions, including some moved from the Hirson-Mezieres region at the last moment by a night march, and attacked on the front held by the armies of Generals von Boehm and Fritz von Below. General von Boehm is holding the line from Noyon to Craonne, with nine divisions, and General von Below the front from Craonne to Auberive, with eight divisions. The Chemin des Dames line was attacked in flank from Corbeny to the Juvincourt region. The enemy launched his infantry in a dense wave against the eastern end of the plateau, and captured Craonne, turning the Allied flank. One division stormed the California Plateau and Vauclerc. The Germans outnumbered our forces by five to one. The position attacked was long and narrow, topped by the barrier along which the Ladies' Way runs from Hurtebise to the head of the valley. The defenders of the ridge had no room to manoeuvre, and could not retreat even a few yards without losing the crest. It was inevitable that they should recoil under the shock, with the result that the Germans remained in possession of the ridge. The position had been drenched with gas for hours. Officers and men had been wearing masks for hours, and when the attack started they could not remove them even momentarily. Consequently, it was almost impossible to give or understand orders. A battle, under such conditions, becomes an affair of individuals and of small units. This difficulty had been foreseen by our command, and as soon as it was clear that the Germans were established on the crest the order was given to abandon the whole of the Way and fall back to the Aisne. The retreat was executed in excellent order. The French and British retired without serious loss. ENEMY FAILS TO BREAK THROUGH FRENCH LINE. .(Eenter.) (Eec. May 30, 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, May 29. Reuter's French Headquarters correspondent, telegraphing on May 28, says:— .. The Chemin des Dames was never more than the curtain of the fortress of which the main defences were the Laon Plateau. We held the curtain, but the fortress itself was never ours. The Germans utterly failed this time to do what they succeeded in doing on March 21. Our front was not broken. For us, the battle hitherto has gone more satisfactorily, than the March battle. The Germans are not likely to make serious headway before they are arrested and the arrival of our reserves restores the equilibrium. CIVILIAN EVACUATION OF SOISSONS ORDERED. :(Keuter.) (Eec. May 30, 12.25 p.m.) . NEW YORK, May 29. Civilians have been ordered to leave Soissons, which is being , heavily bombarded. SOISSONS NOW IN HANDS OF ENEMY. (A. & N.Z.) (Eec. May 30, 1.20 p.m.) LONDON, May 29. The Germans haA'e captured Soissons. The Germans, claim to have taken 25,000 prisoners to date, ALLIED RESERVES REACH THE BATTLEFRONT. (United Service.) (Eec. May 30, 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, May 29. The battle rages on the heights south of the Vesle. Some of the Allied reserves are arriving. / AMERICANS AND FRENCH FIGHTING BRILLIANTLY. (A. & N.Z. & Eenter.) (Eec. May 30, 1.20 p.m.) LONDON, May 29. A French communique states: —- On May 27 last and to-day the enemy, again profiting by his numerical superiority, made fresh efforts to accentuate his drive southwards and towards Soissons. Our troops on the left counter-attacked vigorously, stopped the German advance, and shattered attacks on the heights of Leuville, on Margiral and Fromuerguy, to the north-east of Soissons, and on a hill in the region of Ciry-Salsogne and Verzenel, which immediately dominate the valley of the Vesle to the south. In the centre, where the enemy made his principal effort, the battle is developing, with sustained violence on the line of the Vesle, which the Germans succeeded in crossing this morning at several points, notably in the region of Bazoches and Les Fismes. On the right the British, on the Saint Thierry Ridge, resisted the assaults of the enemy, who seems to have suffered particularly heavy losses. West of Montdidier the Americans, supported by our tanks, brilliantly carried, on a front of two kilometres, the salient of Cantigny, also a village which the enemy had strongly fortified. German counter-attacks in the afternoon against Cantigny completely failed. The artillery duel continues with great activity on the right bank of the Meuse and at several points on the Lorraine front. Two strong enemy coups de main in the region of Veso and Embertesnil were repulsed. ALLIED LINE IN FLANDERS EVERYWHERE HELD. (A. & N.Z. & Eeuter.) (Eec. May 30, 1.45 p.m.) LONDON, May 28. At 10.55 p.m., Sir Douglas llaig reports:— French and British counter-attacks early this morning | re-established the line eastward of Dickebusch Lake. It is knov/n that four German divisions were engaged in the attacks of May 27 in this sector, and as far south as Locre. Heavy losses were inflicted on these divisions. The Allied line has been maintained at all points.

EFFECT OF WAR NEWS.

QUIETENS STOCK EXCHANGE. Australian and Jf.Z. Call; Association. (Hcc. May 30, 12.25) LONDON, May 29. The war news has quietened the Stock Exchange, hut gilt-edged securities are steady.

PUBLIC NOTICES.

fe . K The Union Strain Ship Co. Rive notice that Mny .'il their olliccs will he removed to Street. ' The Linwnod Presbyterian Church will liolil n jtmihle sale on Saturday at the llulJcstoii Street Hall.

WHARF-SORTING CHARGES.

......—,- ..—, —» ~-.,..■„.■■■ ACTION BY WANGANUI IMPORTERS. Press Association. WANGANUI, May 30. In order to bring the matter to a head with regard to the dispute over the wharf-sorting charges levied by. the Railway .Department, Wanganui importers have decided to refuse to pay what they considered exorbitant rates.