NEW GERMAN OFFENSIVE BEGINS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 198, 10 May 1918, Page 5

NEW GERMAN OFFENSIVE BEGINS

■ AN ATTACK IN FLANDERS AUSTRALIANS GAIN NEW GROUND By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright. _, , , ~ London, May 8. The Australians gained 500 yards at Sailly le Sec, east of Amiens, and also gained 300 yards west of Morlancourt, where they advanced in spite of a heavy barrage.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. A MIDNIGHT ATTACK. 'Rec. May 'J, 7.30 p.m.) . 1-ondon, Mav 8. Ilie Australians' first movo was a midnight feint, supported by a 'heavy bombardment. Their second .-nd third blows were delivered simultansoasly. Meanwhile'the enemy put up tremendous machine-gun and chrapnol barrages, but the Australians held on. Artillery activity has increased aroun.l Bailleul and along the Ancre. The warplanes are swarming over the battlefields. Brilliant sunshiny weather prevails.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. N GERMAN ATTACK IN FLANDERS PBELUDE TO FURTHER FIERCE FIGHTING. (Rec. May 0, 10.10 p.m.) ~ . , , , , London, May 8. K«uter s correspondent at British Headquarters, writing on tho -veniii" of May 8, says: "Following a heavy and continuous bombardment alone a wide front in Flanders, the German infantry this morning attacked us south of Dickebusch Lake. It was not a very big affair, tho attack apparently being only at divisional.strength. Tne enemy penetrated our front lino between tho lako and tho Ridgo Wood, and some enoiuy parties nro reported in tho eastern fringo of tho wood, the grenter pare of which we hold, and which is likely to prove very costly to the enemy if he attempts to push on. Wo also hold Kleinovsirnat. Fighting continues in fine weather. Tho tactical objective of tho operation apparently was an attempt to clear the way for a thrust towards Scherpenbarg from the north-east, and may provo to bo the beginning of further fierce fighting in this region. '—Renter. SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S REPORT c- ti i ir ■ , „. London, May 8. hir Douglas .1 aig reports: "As tho result of minor operations, we advanced our line & short diahnco in three localities betweou tho b'omme and /he Ancre and took prisoners. The hostile artillery was active during the night between Locon and iJolwcq, aid m (ha neighbourhood of St. Julian. It also developed considerable activity this morning on the Metereu-Kemmei sector."—Aiis -N Z Cablo Assn.-Reuter. (Rec. May 9, 1.40 p.m.) London, May 8. fair Douglas Haig reports: "This morning (May 8) tho enemy launched a strong local attack against the Anglo-French front between La Clytta and Voorniezeelo. After heavy fighting the centre attack entered the Allied front lino at certain, points. Fighting continues in these localities. Attacks were repulsed at all other points. A successful French local oporation advanced thu lino during tho night southward of La Clytte, and resulted in a number of prisoners. Wo dropped four hundred bombs on different taTgots along the front. Wo brought down twelve German machines during tho air fighting, eight of which were brought down in one big encounter m the neighbourhood of .T)gai. Nono of our machines is missing."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Rcuter.

ON THE FRENCH FRONT (Rcc. May 3, 7.30 p.m.) ~ , London, May S. A J'rench communique etatos "(hat great reciprocal artillery activity prevailed during the north and south of tho Avrc. Enemy raids west of Montdidier, in the regions of Hangard and Gvivc-snes, failed."—Aus.-jN'./i. Cablo Assn. \Rcc. May 9, 11.10 p.m.) ~, , • , , , London, May 8. A I'rcneh communique states: Thorn is reciprocal artillery activity north, and south of the Avre.'-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aesn.-Keuter. GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT (Ree. May 9. 11,10 p.m 1 i ■ London, May ! 8. A wireless German official report stales: "During a successful reconnoitring operation southward of Jiieuport we took prisoner soino Belgians. Local engagements on tho Somnio resulted in British and French prisoners. Tho eiicmv afterstrong mining preparations unsuccessfully 'sitincked on both sides of the Corbie-Bray Road. Our flro effectively caught the enemy's troops, which were being kept in readiness. After a further attack at night southward rf tho road our counter-attack drove- tho enemy back."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Reuter. IMMEDIATE RESUMPTION OF GERMAN OFFENSIVE FORECASTED Washington, May S. Tho British Military Mission forecasts the almost immediate resumption of tho German offensive. -A-.is.-N.is. Cablo Assn. ALLIES PREPARED FOR DEFENSIVE ALL SUMMER. London, May S. Mr. Winston Churchill (Minister of Munitions) stated that the British and French Armies are prepared to remain on tho defensive during the coming summer, until adequate reinforcements arrive from tho United States.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.

FOCII MASTER OF THE GAME London, May S. Signer Orlaudo (Premier of Italy), interviewed at an Italian port filter his return from France, said thai; ho found all tho Allied military chiefs convinced that tho Gorman rush had been slopped. Tho Germans could noil her reach tho Ohanncl ports nor Boparalo tho Hnrfish. and I'Yoneh.. General Fneli is master ot tho game. ,Signor Orlando emphasised I hut Italy had associated herself in the intimuto military and political union between tho Entente nations. 'Die Abbeville Conference recognised cho unify of tho front from (ho North \'ea to Ihe Adriatic as u concrete reality.—Aus.-i\./,. Cablo Assn, AMERICA'S STRENGTH IN FRANCE. Washington, May 8. Mr. N. D. Baker (Secretary for War) states thai there are half a million United States eoWicrs already in France—A us.-N.ft. fa Wo issn.