WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 16 May 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

ATTACK MAY COMB THIS OR NEXT .WEEK. MYSTERY OF MACKENSEN'S DIVISIONS. LONDON, May 14. Colonel A’Court Ropington, writing in tW Morning Post, says that though the next and most criitcal stage ox the German attack may be expected this or next week, it is uncertain whether the Austrians will be able to comply with the German desire for a concurrent attack on Italy. Owing to the lateness of the season the Italian rivers are still flooded. A mysterious element is the whereabouts of Mackensen’s divisions which were on the east front when the Ger- • man attack began. Colonel Repington’s view is that idea of an oversea attack against Britain may be revived is improbable. GERMAN REPORT. Received 8.53 a.m. LONDON, May 15. Wireless German official. —We cartd,,out > a successful local thrust on i r Bray-Corbie road. Vigorous counter-attacks failed, v- yir A FRENCH REPORT.' * v.. Received '8.55 a.m. LONDON, May 15. French communique ■ reports intermittent bombardment in the Grivesnes sector. Enemy assemblages and convoy's in, the region - of LvioiiiNTier and Noyon-Guiscard road were dispersed. GERMAN OPINION ON WESTERN OFFENSIVE. NOT BEEN A SUCCESS. Received 9.20 a.m. ' WASHINGTON, May 15. The New York Times’ Copenhagen correspondent says the “Politine” quotes a prominent German politician, who admits the Germans’ Western offensive has not been a success. Too many lives have been lugt. Hindenburg still professes a belief that the German army will reach the coast; but Hindenburg has been stopped. ANOjEIEB PUSH FOR AMIENS. LONDON, May 14. Sir Douglas Haig reported at 10 o’clock this evening: After heavy artillery fire, the enemy attacked on a mile front southward of Morlancourt, and entered positions’ at one point. The Australians counter-attacked, and completely re-established the line. The attack w r as repulsed at other points with heavy loss. Our casualties were very light. The French, in local fighting, repulsed an attack in the direction of Kleinviorstraat. y WEATHER IMPEDES GERMANS PARIS, May 14. Eeuter’s British Headquarters correspondent writing on the 14th, says: The heavy rainfall during the past 24 hours must have seriously impeded the Germans’ plans and preparations. The enemy is now confronted with the same conditions in Flanders as we experienced on the Somme battlefield when our former offensive was heavily handicapped. We know definitely that he is in many places having a really bad time. This knowledge will enable our soldiers to bear their share of discomfort with cheerful [equanimity. While our communications everywhere Kjk)d< ji supplies abundant and regular, the mermans have in some places to flounder across w r ide tracts of slosh and brimming shell-cratres.

EAGER FOR BATTLE. AMERICANS IN FRANCE, LONDON, May 4. The “Times” correspondent at American Feadquarters in France states: “Seasoned American troops are now fighting with the Anglo-French in open hilly and wooded country. “After detraining they spent a week manoeuvring under battle conditions. Guns were cleaned, horses examined, and equipment strengthened. The men were instructed in now tactics, after which they went on a five-days’ march into the fighting zone.] The infantry and artillery took up forward positions last week.- and since then have given good accounts of themselves. “The spirits of the men are high, and their courage strong. They are glad of the opportunity to get into the big fight. Their presence encouraged the Allied troops, and has raised the moral of the civil population in districts they passed .through;” MINOR OPERATIONS. , Received 11.5 a.m. , "‘ LONDON, ; .May 15. Sir D. Haig reports: We repulsed an attempted raid north of Lens^apd. made a successful raid north-east pf 1 ,L ... ..no j "*'■ ” Roheco. .Hostile artillery was active A : .Off,2 f»n • • • .dunging night in the Somme and Ancre Valleys, northward of Bethune, and in Nieppe Forest; also increase' activity this morning south-westward of Morlancourt and northward, of Kemmel. OFFENSIVE POSTPONED, NOT PREVENTED. THE SOMME A QUAGMIRE. Received 11.10 a.m. LONDON, May 15. Mr. Phillip Gibbs writes: The Somme battlefield is again a quagmire following the heavy rain, and the Germans are experiencing the difficulties our men had in 1917. But the difficulties are not insuperable. The next phase of the offensive is postponed, j not prevented. I believe it will come j very soon. The enemy has merely re- [ vised his timetable. One thing ho can- ! not do ‘now, namely, separate the Anglo-French. It is too late; they are one homogeneous army.