WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 31 May 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

~.. , DRIVE on sorssorrs. ‘ ‘ .___ 1 A FIGHTING RETREAT. I INTENSE STRUGGLE ON ‘vEsLE. LONDON, May 29, l A French communiquc states that? on Monday, lastnight and to-day, thei enemy, again profiting by his numer-i ial superiority made fresh efforts to accentuate the drive southwards and towards Soissons. Our troops on the; left counter attacked vigorously and stopped the German advance, and shattered his attacks on the heights of Neuville, six miles north of Soissons, on Mafgival, a mile and a-half further south from Vregny, five miles northeast of Soissons, to the northeast of Soissons, and on the hill in the region of Oiry Salesogne and Vasseny, six miles south-east of Soissons, which immediately dominate the valley of the 'Vesle to the south. In the? centre, where the enemy made his, principal effort, th"e~-battle is develop.J g” with‘ sustained violence on the‘ mrev7of, the Vesle,- which the Germans‘ succeeded in crossing this morning, at several-points notably in the region‘ of l_3azoc_hes al_l,d_Les Fismes. ? "”'V"== o‘il“iiie"i*igh‘£’ "tii'e‘ "British, on. ‘saline Thierry Ridge, ‘resisted _the_,assaults”of I the’-"enemy, f'wl_m“§eém’s to have ss’/utter‘; ed particularly heavy losses. West of -lviontdidier, the Americans, "supported _’,by‘ our tanks, brilliantly carriedfon a. front of two kilometres the salient of Cantigny, and also the villagedwh-ich the enemy had Strongly fortified. German counter attacks in the afternoon against Cantigny completely failed. , An artillery duel continues with great activity on the right bank of the Meuse at several points on the Lorrainepfront . Two strong enemy coups (le main in the region of Veso and Embertesnil, in this sector, were repulsed.

GERMAN STORY. BRITISH TAKEN BY SUEPEISE. LONDON, May 29. A German communique states: On Monday morning we penetrated the .French lines between Yoormezeele and Locre. The Crown Prince’s attack southwfifcd of Laon was completely successful, ~ defeating French and English divisions. Yon Boehm’s army stormed and captured the Chemin des Dames, whose long ridge, which we evacuated for strategic purposes last autumn, is again in our hands. Our infantry, after tremendous artillery preparations, crossed the Ailette between Vauxaillon and Craonne, and penetrated the English lines further east between Corbeny and the Aisnc. The occupants of the trenches were completely surprised. In the early hours of the morning we stormed Pinon, Chavignon Port Malmaison, Courtecon, Cerny, Winterberg, Craonne Villcrberg and fortified works near and' northward of Bcrry-au-Bac. Towards afternoon by steady fighting, we reached the Aisne, between Yailly and Berry-au-Bac, capturing Vailly. The attack continued in the afternoon. We are on the heights between Vauxaillon and Yailly Near Neuville and Laffaux, and northward of Conde, wo crossed the Aisne, carrying the battle into the area untouched since 1914. We drove the enemy , from the fortified wooded heights on the south bank of the river, and we have reached the heights on the south bank of the river, and we have reached the heights northward of Vesle. General General von Bulow threw the enemy °f strong positions between Sapigeul y and Brimont back ecross the Aisne kadlMarnc Canal, and stormed Cormicy

Oauroy, and Loivre. on the west bank of the canal. Up to the present we have taken prisoner 25,000. Fighting activity has revived between the Meuse and the Moselle and Lorramp, A later official message says; 'ln continuation of our .attack across the Aisne we extended our successes, and are now fighting for the Vesle sector between Soissons and westward of Eheims. We captured the sbuth bank on both sideS of Fismes. ENEMY ’PLANES DOWNED. 252 IN A WEEK. WASHINGTON, May 29 British military dispatches state that Allied airmen on the west front brought down and destroyed 252 .aeroplanes from May 16 to May 24. GERMANY CLAIMS 25,000 PRISONERS. ... j i £ I i LONDON, May 29. The Germans claim to have captured. 25,000 prisoners since the-.:,beginning of their-new offensive on Mopdayi BATTLE RAGING ON HEIGHTS SOUTH OF VESLE. . | , iU . LONDON, May- 29. ffhe Germans have captured-Sdissons The. loss of the town was noti unexpected,., as it had been under .heavy bombardment for some time. All civilians were ordered to leave the city before it was captured. , , - \ The battle still rages on the hdijghis south of the Vesle. Some Allied reserves are arriving here,., ; " f '" HEROIC PERFORMANCES OF BRITISH , TROOPS. .).'.?>! v V A-’.j:;!, ' ■ LONDON, May 29. At 1.40 this morning, Mr. Robinson writes: Twenty divisions attacked on nearly thirty miles of front from Vauxillon, north of Soissons, to Brlment, above Rbeims. The British.held twelve miles. They fought with 1 - extreme stubbornness. When tne extreme British left was compelled to swing back they did so methodically pivoting on the left centre, fighting hard all the way. left centre held their original positions until ordered to conform with the retirement. The Aisne divisions, commanded by Haig, fought gallantly and the Twenty-first and Twenty-fifth Divisions had been twice commended. I have already recorded their glorious doings. The Fiftieth Division were in the front line again yesterday. They supported the retreating troops on March 21st. They moved northwards subsequently and immediately faced the shock pf the next German advance. Each of tne four divisions this year has been compelled to withstand the weight of the heaviest attacks of the war. The successive shelling alone was sufficient to break the hearts and spirits of men less magnificent. Remembering what they have gone through, it is difficult to imagine anything more moving than that these four divisions should once more fight as they have done during the last two days. They necessarily included numerous new drafts which are behaving splendidly.

MAGNIFICENT FIGHT. LONDON, May 29. Reuter’s correspondent at th« French Headquarters says: Regarding the role of the British divisions, during the first two days of the Aisne fighting, we had four divisions, which held the front from Craonne to Bermericourt. On the right was the' 21st Division, in liason with a French divrsion, our left consisting of the 50th Territorial Division in touch with the French holding Chemin des Dames. The weight of "the German attack in cur sector fell on the 50th Division,

which, had the worst of the gas bombardment, and sustained the heaviest part of the German infantry attack. The troops bore it magnificently. They held on until the men were drowned under the German numbers. The same fate overtook a French division on the crest, on the right, and retirement to the second line was inevitable. A gallant attempt by the 50th Division to recapture Craonnc was defeated, chiefly through the machine-gunning of German tanks attacking the right flank. The enemy used tanks in greater numbers than ever before. Finally the 50th Division were obliged to fan back in the general retreat to the river, keeping touch with the French, Cur 21st Division and the French divisions stood the assault like rocks. The Germans, attacking in the proportion of two to one, did not progress. It was along the Chemin des Dames, where the density of the attack was greater, that the Anglo-French line was submerged. The 21st Division and the French, after beating off a fantastic number of attacks, held last night almost integrally the ground on which the battle had begun. Our 25th Divi--1 sion was sent to support them. Units of this division arc now fighting with the French in close amalgamation.

KINDENBURG’S SUCCESS. [ ? ALLIES SURPRISED AND OUTNUMBERED. LONDON, May 29. Mr George Perris, the Chronicle’s correspondent on the French front, says; iiindenburg has scoreu another spectacular success. After three hours’ bohibardment, largely with gas shells, an attack began at dawn. The Germans outnumbering the defenders fourfold or fivefold, an attempt to hold Chemin des Dames would have meant the massacre of our troops before our reserves reached them. The only thing was to retire steadily, punishing the enemy as much as possible. The enemy used the same methods as in the March offenive, with some improvement. He used reserves prodigally and interior lines of communication skilfully for throwing masses suddenly and unexpectedly on a chosen sector. Only seven German divisions held 25-miles of the attacking front until the eve of the battle. Though tiup'exact number of divisions employed in the attack is unkuowuj >yet thOre were probably twenty-five, equivalent to over a quarter of a million men. These figures arc noteworthy, since the Germans on the 21st had seventeen divisions on a forty miles ’ front prior to the battle. He used denser masses on Monday, because he intended to carry the Aisne heights in a single rush. In the circumstances the enemy necessarily won some ground. With sound tactical sense, he directed the heaviest assault on the eastern end, near Craonne. It was soon evident that the whole line was untenable, and the whole line was in danger of being turned. The attackers included some of Von Ehutier’s specially trained units employed in the March offensive, also two Guards divisions and other crack formations, who got forward quickly at heavy cost. The English and French retired in orderly manner, firing continuously. Mr. George Perris, in a later message, says: French reserves have begun to arrive on the Aisne front. It is believed the wmrst is over.

ALLIED RESERVES V. GERMANS LONDON, May 29. The great surprise in the Champagne brought a desperate race between the Allied reserves and the advancing Gormans. The most optimistic messages from Paris’ do not anticipate immediate stennuing of the tide. Marcel Hutin sets forty-eight hours as the tilne required to bring np the necessary reserves. He adds: A stand is now being organised, Sonic commentators th'Cj Vesle line as definitely lost, and discuss the possibility of the enemy reaching the Marne. The il Petit Patisien” considers the situation is' grave and serious, but not perilous. No vital communications arc threatened or cleavage of the Allied armies is likely. Paris is gravely impressed, but not panicky. L’Homme Libre states: Reserves are already arriving, and the enemy is paying dearly. A semi-official commentator states: What happened was that a surprise resulted in the French troops evacuating all the positions on the Chemin des Dames, necessitating a general retirement in order to avoid the massacre of the whole of the outnumbered forces. Von Boehm immediately and rapidly developed the success, throwing in increasingly more powerful forces, failing on both wings, but succeeding in the centre.

BRITISH AIRMEN ACTIVE. LONDON, May 29. Sir Douglas Haig reports: There was fine but cloudy weather on the 27th inst. Our aviators dropped sixteen tons of bombs on various objectives. We downed eighteen enemy machines during the night. Our aviators bombed Zeebrugge, Bruges Dock, and a great many enemy dumps. Hostile night, bombers were active. Our tance night bombers were very active and bombed chemical works at Mannheim, and railway stations and other objectives at various places, large explosions following. RHEIMS SAVED BY BRITISH ' di- STUBBORNNESS. LONDON, May 29. The Petit Journal says that thanks to British stubbornness Rheims has been saved, though the enemy repkoned after the first day’s success .to easily capture the city. Tho Petit Parisien says the Germans have advanced thirteen and a half miles in the centre, and a few miles on the right and left wings. SERIOUS PHASE OF THE BATTLE LONDON, May 29. Reuter’s French Headquarters correspondent, writing on the evening of the 29th, says: The expansion of the enemy’s wings enabled him to bring his right within a short distance of Soissons. while his left reached an alignment which formed practically a semi-circle around Rheims. Last night the position of the Frensh and British holding the extreme right of the lino had become difficult. They were under fire from three sides, from the old German line between Courcy and Rheims, and from new lines which the Germans established in passing them to the south, so they are now obliged to face east, north and west. We are entering a critical pha& of the battle, but the issue is awaited calmly. Our reserves are hastening up. The morale of our men is superb. The Germans had the choice of point of attack, and were able to concentrate masses against a sector thinly held. Choice of the real line of resistance will be our’s. '

FLANDERS STRUGGLE. - 1 POSITION UNCHANGED. ; •*' ' LONDON, May 29. The situation generally is unchanged on the remainder of the British front. Lesser attacks between Lorre and Voormezeele have been without result. ■ ’ - ; ' f • Reuter’s British Headquarters’ correspondent, writing at 3.30 p.m., ;n the 29th, says: The front from Locre to Voormezeele remains pretty quiet. CROWN PRINCE’S LLTCK. LONDON, May 29. Some Parisian,critics are of opinion that the Crown Prince’s operation'was originally a big demonstration -' but owing to the success of the first shock this was changed into a thorough or fensive. The heights south of the Vesle form an excellent defensive posttion. French reserves are now altering the character of the battle. The enemy’s advance will be blocked, as at Noyon and Montdidier, before Amiens. Tbe enemy, by advancing twelve and a-half miles in the centre, has made a risky salient for himself. A FRENCH REPORT. LONDON, May 29. A French communique, issued at 4.20 this afternoon, says; During the night the German drive, supoprted by the arrival of fresh divisions, increased, notably on the two wings in the direction of Soisscns and Rheims. On the left we ' retired fighting foot by foot to the outskirts east of Soissons, where a battle continues bitfefiy. On the right, French and British troops, after an energetic defence on the Massif or St. Thierry hhve withdrawn slowly, south and south-west. (These heights are between the Vesle and the 'Aisne Canal.) In the centre the fighting continues with various fluctuations on the south bank of the Vesle, the heights whereof our troops are defending with admirable bravery. West of Montdidier the Americans shattered two enemy counter attacks at, Cantigny. An artillery duel continues on both banks of the Meuse, in the Woevre, In the sector of Imbertesnil and Lorraine. A series of hostile raids north of Bezonvaux, in the region of Badenvillers, near the Rhine-Rhone Canal, failed. Stubborn fighting centred at Braisne. A strong position on top of the hill at Fismes was lost and retaken, but is now behind the German line. To-day’s development is owing'to German movements on each flank. The infantry out-distanced the artillery, the Germnas relying on machine-guns, and a filtration prpeess, similar to that on the Somme.

GERMANS ADVANCE 18 MILES. ATTACKS BEATEN OFF AT FESTUBERT. FRENCH PREMIER NEARLY CAPTURED. Received 8.50 a.m. LONDON, May 30. The centre of the German main attack is now at Vezilly, eighteen miles south of Chemin dcs Dames. The German attack at Festubert has been beaten off. The British are holding the Germans north-west of Rheims. Bitter fighting continues. M. Clemenceau. the French Premier, 9 narrowly missed being captured during his visit to the front. WASHINGTON, May 30/

General Pershing’s communique announces that the American troops have consolidated the position captured in the Cantigny salient. Three counter attacks by the Germans in an attempt to regain the lost terrain were completely repulsed. PARIS, May 30. The French High Command is confident in being able to stem the German advance shortly. THE FIGHTING AROUND SOISSONS OF A VERY BITTER CHARACTER. Received 9.15 a.m. . LONDON, May 30. At 1.30 a.m., a French communique stated that the battle had assumed a particularly violent character on the ‘left wing in the region of Soissons. We evacuated the town, of which w T e hold the exits. The battle is continuing to the west and south-west of Soissons, on the plateau between Belleu, Septmonts, Ambries, and Clacrise in the centre. While we gave ground under pressure in the region of Laupergne to the north of Forrest and Lardenois. The Franco-British troops further east succeeded in maintaining positions on the line of Broillet, Savigny, and Tilloy. On the right the troops covering Rheims fell back behind the Aisne Canal to north-west of the town.

A QUESTION OF RESERVES, WHO HAS THE MOST? :i THE IMPORTANCE OP SOISSONS. Received 11.10 a.m.' LONDON, May 30. * General Maurice, writing in the Daily Chronicle, states the latest estimates of German reserves on the West front are eighty divisions, of which seventy are between Rheims and the coast. Assuming it true the Germans drew sixteen divisions for the Aisn© attack and others since it began, it is doubtful if they have drawn in more tha» a third of their battle reserve. We must therefore expect further developments. The German Command may well be tempted by its success to draw more reserves and aim at the Marne and cut the Paris and Chalons railway. Unless it reaches the Marne, the advance southward will not materially affect the general situation. Moreover, in order to reach the Marne safety requires the enemy to widen the base. He must secure Rffeims and Soissons, which apparently he is trying to do. Rheims ceased to have more than a sentimental value. Soissons is important, because it links the Aisne and Somme battlefields. Its fall would enable the enemy to widen its attacking front towards 'Amiens or Paris. The real problem now is whether Foch or the Crown Prince is compelled to use up the most reserves.

STORY OF THE FIGHTING. ENORMOUS WAVES OF GERMANS. BRITISH AND FRENCH FIGHT TO THE LAST MAN. Received 11.40 a.m. LONDON, May 30. Mr Perris says the British divisions on the Aisne bore the brunt of one of the fiercest assaults on the Aisne front on Tuesday. A portion of a British brigade retiring near Ponlavert on Tuesday evening, in company with French territorials refuged In Germicourt Wood and the Germans surrounded them. The Anglo-French decided to make a last stand. A handful of territorials survived, but the Biitsh fell to a man. In another instance it became necessary to blow up the Aisne bridges near Craonne. British officers offered themselves for the job, and succeeded, though they perished. The British Fiftieth Division, consisting of territorials, encountered the heaviest shock of the bombardment, which saturated the air with poison gas. The Germans, looking hideous in their masks, broke like a tidal wave on our thin line, overwhelming it. Then our heroic line withdrew step by step through the wooded, marshy ground to th© Aisne. The French on the left resisted with equal bravery* The Fiftieth Division

lest contact with., the French for a brief period, also with British divlsions to the eastward. It became necessary to retreat further south, reaching the hills north of Vesle at nightfall, after losing a number of officers. The men of the British centre, consisting of a portion of the Eighth and Twenty-fifth Divisions, was more fortunate. The latter had been in reserve for support in the low difficult ground at the end of the Aisne valley. It became important that the centre maintained the second line still late in the afternoon. The Twenty-fifth Division held the British right, defending a line of the Canal against four German divisions and the stronger fleet of tanks the enemy yet employed. This north-western edge of the Champagne plaints favourable to the use of assaulting cars. The defenders held on obstinately until the left wing’s retreat obliged them to move correspondingly. To-day’s fighting is again severe, with results necessarily favourable to the enemy, because our reserves are only beginning to reach the front. The strong thrust towards Soissons, simultaneously with drives south of Vesle, suggests the enemy is strongly reinforced. The enemy’s boldness hitherto has won through, but the French resistance has increased, and the enemy will be obliged to act with greater prudence. The Aisne may render communications difficult, though we were unable to destroy all the bridges. Our air squadrons have an opportunity to complete this. It is still debateable whether the attack is a major or » minor operation.