HEADQUARTERS’ REPORT.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 June 1918, Page 3

HEADQUARTERS’ REPORT.

particulars ,of uuist attack french HEADQUARTERS’ report WHERE T'HE DRIVE STARTED. (Received This Day at 9.50. a.m.) (Router’s Telegrams.) LONDON, June 3. At 1.50 a.m. on the 2nd, French Headquarters reported the following details of the first days’ fighting north of the Aisne, which are important because of the light they throw on the swift Anglo-French retreat in the early hours of 25th May: It has been already explained that the British held the front from' Craonne to Bermericourt, crossing the Aisne at Berry-au-Bac on Die- left of our line, formed by the EiftmtTterritorials. The Divisions held Cali-fornia-Plateau immediately above Cra-

ono . • i -u On our left, tho line was carried by a French division which already had a verv extended front along Chemm des Dames. The probable effect of the German attack in this sector was fuU.\ recognised, hut the enemy gave no sign of his intention, until the bombardment began on the 27th. Bad weather had hindered the aeroplanes’ observation work along the Aisne since March. The truth is, it was unnecessary for the Germans to make noticeable that they knew this front was lightly held, and they estimated accurately the number of troops they would require to ensure an indispensible initial success. Then they poured in streams of fresh divisions to pursue the advantage, hut General von Hutier’s method of attack makes it superfluous for the troops required to exploit the victory to appear on tho battlefield until quite sure tho opening attack has succeeded on a front such as the Germans held, constructed to shelter a far' larger number of troops than actually occupied it. Tt was not difficult for the enemy to put in the number of divisions necessary to attack, with fresh diguing close to the front which inevitably would reveal his purpose. To understand what followed, it must tie remembered that the entrenched front under Chemin des Dames in Ailette Valley was in full view of the German artillery observers on the opposite lines of heights.. The position of the French trenches was well known to the Germans. Hie, French front was attacked in grcatei density than ever.. The enemy infantry suffered heavily from our machine gun fire in crossing the vallev, hut were in too great strength 'to be held thereby and they got on tho crest poetically astride. They seem to have crossed the crest by a 'low neck uniting California, and Vauclere plateau. At any into the first intimation of their presence, the Britis' division had, was the sudden appearance of a German column in tho rear, making their way down the steep slope to Craonne. Retreat was inevitable and the Anglo-French line fell hack to the river bank, fighting all the way in order to save the unity of their lino. The British Fiftieth and Eighth divisions were swamped by the weight ofGerman numbers and lost heavily. On the right, south of the river, the Twenty-fifth division, and neighbouring French divisions held firm. The Britis i Twentyfifth division, which was in reserve sent- up supports early in the day, so that all the British troops on the Aisne front participated in the battle French headquarters report continued As the retreat continued, under the attacks of a fresh stream of German divisions, our line became alarmingly evening and the line was reconstituted thin. Reinforcements arrived in the Since then, we have practically given no ground, although constantly engaged. The might of 'the German attack has shifted to the other wing. In the battle between Soissons and. Chateau Thierry, the same French divisions which began the, battle on our right is still holding with us, after weeks of incessant fighting.

FRENCH OPERATIONS. H OLDINgTtHE ENEMY. f AUBTRAUTAN * N.z. OAm.U association] A RKUTER.J (Received This Day at 1.5. p.m.) , LONDON, June 3. A 4 p.m. French communique we' continued to counter-attack yoster day evening on the whole front between Ourcq and Marne, and advanced at vanoufl points • . \ violent enemy attack on both suits of tile Chateau Thierrv-Faris road, was shattered, by 'our fire ' Souteast of Bournsches we maintained our positions everywhere. The enemy loss in these actions was heavy.