WESTERN FRONT.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 May 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

GERMAN PLANS. A PRODIGIOUS SHOCK INTENDED. TROOPS TO ADVANCE AT ALL COST.j Received May 20, 9.15 p.m. Paris, May 19. Le Petit Parisien says the German staff aims at a victorious rush, followed by a decisive war movement. The enemy has organised mass formations, deeply echeloned, in the hope of producing a prodigious shock. A great number of mitrailleuses have! been assembled to follow up the infimtry. Each assaulting column will occupy two kiloßietres front. The General Staff has ordered the troops to push forward, no matter at wliat cost. —Press Association.

GERMANS READY. FOR GENERAL RUSH ON MOST OF FRONT. FOCH HAS CONFIDENCE. Received May 20, 8.30 p.m. London, May 19. An Exchange Telegraph message from Paris states that the Germans have apparently completed their preparations for an attack, which is likely to be a general rush on the greater part of the front.

Th« Germans have Multiplied the network of railways everywhere; General Focb, a few days ago, aaid: "Ask toe nothing, for I shall tell you nothing, but I know this—l have confidence." —Press Association.

AN AUSTRALIAN SUCCESS. CASUALTIES LIGHT. Received May 20, 8.40 p.m. New York, May 20. The Australians captured Villesurance taking 230 prisoners and 20 machine guns. The Australians' casualties were light.

MINOR OPERATIONS. COLOGNE BOMBED. London, May 19. Sir Douglas ifaig reports: Successful minor operations improved our position in the neighborhood of Ville-sur-Ancre, north-west of MorlancOUft. We made a .successful raid north-west of Albert and in the neighborhood of Hamel, and we repulsed ft raid north-east of Bethune. Our night fliers dropped 10 tons on Chaulnes, Haubowrdin, Douai, and Marcoing stations and Peronne and in the neighborhood of Bapaume. They also dropped 32 heavy bombs on Thionville and Metz railway stations. Several direct hits were observed and a fire started at Thionville.

We made a successful daylight raid on Saturday on railway stations, factories and barracks in Cologne. Thirtythree bombs were dropped and bursts Wera seen in the railway sheds. Cable Association.

FRENCH HONORS.

FOR OSTEKD AND ZEEBRUGGE HEROES.

Paris, May 19. The Government has awarded the Croix de Guerre with palms to Admirals Keyes and Tyrwhitt and sixteen other British naval officers for the Zeebrugge and Ostend operations.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Association.

MORE GERMAN TYRANNY.

FOISTING LANGUAGE ON THE BELGIANS. Amsterdam. May 18. The German authorities in Belgium have ordered that German shall be the only official language after to-day. This means that nearly all officials must be replaced by Germans or pro-German Flemings.—Alls. N.Z. Cable Assoc. THE COMING BLOW. New York, May 18. A New York correspondent with the TYcneh army states that the German blow may fall at any hour. There is evidence that the Germans have completed their arrangements for the sec ond and greatest offensive, and have massed forces of picked troops.—Aus. N.Z. .Cable Assoc. MARCEL HUTIN'S VIEWS.

Paris, May 18. M. MafCel Hutin says it is reliably estimated that the enemy has concentrated 80 divisions for the attack on the Franco-British lines. General Tjudendorft cannot much longer postpone the resnmption of the offensive.—Aus. X.Z.

RAIDS AND ARTILLERY ACTION. London, May 19. Sir Douglas Haig reports: We made successful raids in the daytime in the Morlancourt sector and south of Hulluoh, taking a number of prisoners. The artillery is active in the Villers Bretonneux sector.

! An American communique states: HosI tile raids in Picardy and Lorraine were ' repulsed with IoS3 to the enemy. There is continued aerial activity.

i A French communique reports: There is lively artillery fire north of the Avre, j in Champagne, and in the region of Mas- | signes. A Belgian communique states: There j is violent artillery fire in tho direction of Nieuport, Merckem, Weidendraft, and Houthulst Forest.—Aus. N.Z, Cable Assoc, and Renter. ACTIVE AUTILLERYTNG. Reoefred May 20, 9.25 p.m. London, May 19. A Preach commttnique reports active artUfcrying north of the Avre.—Ans» and 'NjKi ktmsm pwtf