THE FATEFUL TWENTY-SEVENTH OF MAY

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 219, 5 June 1918, Page 5

THE FATEFUL TWENTY-SEVENTH OF MAY

CLEARER LIGHT ON THE CHEMIN DES DAMES ATTACK,

London, Juno S, 1.50 p.m. Renter's correspondent nt French Headquarters states:—"Tho following details of the first day's fighting north of (lie Aisno are important, because of tlio lijTut they throw oil the swift Anglo-French retreat in the early hours>of May 2i. It lias been already explained that the British held the front from Craonne to Bermericourt. crossing the Aisno at Berry-aii-Bac. The lefl of our lino was formed by the 50th Territorial Division, which field tlio California 1 lateau, immediately above Craonne. On our left the line wan carried on by'a Flench division, which already had a very extended front along the Cliemin des Dames. Tba probability of a German attack in this sector was fully recognised, but the enemy gave no sign of his intention until lilie bombardment began on the 27th. Bad weather had hindered aeroplane observation work along the Aisno since March. The truth is that it was unnecessary for the Germans to make noticeable preparations. They know that tflirs point was lightly held, and estimated accurately the number of troops they would require to ensure an indispensable initial success. Then they poured in streams of fresh divisions jo pursue the advantage, but Von Huticr's metho'd of attack makes it superfluous for the troops required to exploit the victory to appear on the battlefield until he is quite sure of an opening. The attack succeeded. On a front, sucji as the Germans held, constructed to shelter a far larger number of troops than actually occupied it, it was not difficult for the enemy to put in the number of divisions necessary for tlio attack without fresh digging closo to the front, which would --have inevitably revealed his purpose. What Followed, "To'understand what followed it must bo remembered that the French front under the Cliemin des J)ames was in the Ailette Valley, in full view of the German artillery observers' on the opposite lines of heights. The position of the French trenchcs was well known to the Germans. The French front was attacked in greater density than ours. The enemy infantry suffered heavily from our nianbine-gun fire in crossing the valley, but were in too great strength to bo .held by it. The troops were on the crest practically in a stride. They seem to have crossed Hie crest by the narrow neck uniting the California and Yiuiclerc Plateaux. Anyway, the first intimation of their presence the British division had was the sudden appearance of a (German column in the rear malting its down tlio steep slope to Craonne. Itelreat. was inevitable, and the AngloFrench line fell back to the river bank, fight ins all the way, in order, to save the unity of the line. Tlio British 50th and Bth Divisions wero swamned.bv tlio German numbers, and lost heavily on the right and south of the river. Ihe 25th Division and the neighbouring French division held tirm. A British division, which was in reserve, sent up sunports early in the day, so Ml'the British troons on the Aisne front participated in tho battle. Tlio retreat continued under attacks by « frerh stream of German divisions, and our line became alarmingly thin. 'Reinforcements arrived in tho evening, and the line was reconstituted. Since then it has practically given no ground, although constantly engaged. The weight of the German attack has shifted ■to the other *'~ns.. ,n 5. the battle, between Soissons and Chateau Thierry. The same French division which began the battle on our right is still holding the lirio with us, after a week of incessant fighting."—lteutcr.