WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 24 May 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

THE KAISER’S OPINION. VICTORY ON THE WEST FRONT SHEER TO-DAY. THAN EVER. Received 8.55 a.m. NEW YORK, May 23. The World’s Amsterdam correspondent says the Lokal Anzieger, in an interview with the Kaiser, reports the later as saying: “We shall accomplish /Our task on the west; this is surer to-day than ever. We know the enemy to the last depths, land already have given him two frightful' blows. There is no hurry for the fruits of victory.” The World’s , Rome correspondent learns the German democratic press criticises the German offensive, on the west front, which is regarded as a failure despite the territory taken. GIANT HUN PLANE BROUGHT DOWN. Received 9.10 a.m. ‘NEW YORK, May 23. The New York Times’ correspondent fin the American front announces that the French brought down the giant German aeroplane which was attacked hy Captain Lufberry as cabled on,the 20th inst.' A bullet pierced the pilot’s armour. • The machine was found to contain hix machine-guns, operated by two gunners. ACTIVITY NORTH OP ALBERT. LONDON, May 22. Sir Douglas Haig reports: We repulsed a second attempt to raid our positions south-east of Mesnil. We successfully raided the neighbourhool of Hebutcrnc, inflicting heavy casualties and taking prisoners A French communique states: There was violent artillery fire in the region of Hilles, Bouvray, and Plemrat, also great patrol activity on the entire Ailetto front

GOOD WORE IN FLANDERS. LONDON, May 22. The United Press correspondent reports that the French .attack on the BWgian border was brilliantly successful. They recaptured Locre, Hospice, Brulooge, and the entire wood southward of Brulooge, advancing the line some distance and prisonering 500, besides greatly improving the positions in the neighbourhood of Mont Rouge and Scherpenberg. The French casualties were light. They suddenly fell on*The Germans along a front of between two and three mileh GERMAN OFFENSIVE ON JUNE 1. WHAT IS LIKELY TO HAPPEN. WAITING FOR AUSTRIA IN ITALY Received 10. 50 a.m. V, WASHINGTON, May 23. General Bridges, head of the British Military Mission, made a statement that the enemy have a million and a ' half bayonets on the West front. His drive probably will begin on Ist June around Ypres and' the vicinity of Hazebrouek. A subsidiary drive is expected towards Amiens. Germany is insisting that Austria shall open an Italian drive_ Austria is unwilling without Gorman aid. If Germany’s drive on _Jfrf’Q West front ends in a stalemate | probably divert her troops to ..•thWlfalian' front which would necesnitale the Allies again lenthening their lines. ■

FINAL TRAINING FOR HUN SHOCK TROOPS. Received 11.20 a.m. NEW YORK, May 23. The New York Times 7 " correspondent with the American Army learns that Germany has withdrawn her crack troops for final training in shock attacks. Military officers believe that the big offensive will be resumed in the first week in June. FOR VALOUR. WINNERS OF THE CROSS. LONDON, May 22. Details are gazetted of eleven brilliant feats, for which the Victoria Cross has been awarded. All are Britishers, and mostly leaders of forlorn hopes in the Somme and Flanders fighting. They include the following: Captain James Forbes Robertson. — Displayed quick judgment and resource and untiring energy, and four times saved the line from breaking. He fearlessly exposed himself while his battalion held the line covering the retreat of the troops on his flanks. , •; ■;

Lieutenant Pryce.—Commanded :,.a party covering the flank of the; Grenadier Guards. When the company was reduced to forty he found himself outflanked and enfiladed, but he beat off tour attacks by the enemy, then brought forward three field guns within three hundred yards of the trench, and when the German infantry were within, sixty yards Lieutenant Pryce led a bayonet charge ond drove them back. Finally only seventeen men remained, and all the ammunition was gone, Loeutenant Pryce again led a bayonet charge, and was- last seen in a hand-to-hand struggle against overwhelming odds. Lieutenant Pryce’s forty held at least one battalion for several hours, and stopped the advance through the British lines.