THE COMING BLOW.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 May 1918, Page 5

THE COMING BLOW.

GERMAN ACTIVITY BEGINNING. REDISTRIBUTION" OP ENEMY ' FORCES. Received May 22, 9.30 p.m. London, May 21. A Belgian communique says: Reciprocal artillery activity has been very great during the past 24 hours. A French headquarters correspondent, writing on May 21, states that the activity of the German aeroplanes and the exceptional violence of the artillery bombardments on the Avre and in the region of Albert are the only indications of the coming blow. The Germans have between Zonnebeke and Noyon nearly one third of their whole strength in France, namely, CI divisions, out of a total of 210 divisions. They have carried out a redistribution of their forces along the whole front.—Reuter.

DELAY IN ATTACK. GERMANS WAITING FOR THE MOON ALLIED AVIATORS BLIND ENEMY. Received May 22, 9.30 p.m. London, May 21. The Pall Mall Gazette says that in some quarters it is believed that the German commanders have been waiting for a favorable phase of the moon. The attack may, on that assumption, be regarded as imminent. It is certain the enemy's preparation has been complete for some time, and the initial attacks hare been delayed longer than usual. Meanwhile the British and French aviators have blinded the enemy as they have never before blinded him on the eve of a great battle. They have also greatly deranged the enemy's artillery movement. Signs exist that the enemy must not delay longer if he wishes to retain the advantage of his initiative.—Press Association.

NEW POSITIONS ATTACKED. ENEMY EFFECTIVELY DEALT WITH BRITISH LINE INTACT. Received May 22, 9.30 p.m. London, May 21. Sir Douglas Haig reports: After heavy bombardment the enemy counterattacked in considerable strength, on a front of 1200 yards, against our new positions north-west of Merville. Despite the intensity of artillery preparations, the infantry only succeeded in reaching our positions at two points, where they were dealt with effectively by our troops. Our whole line is intact. The French repulsed two night raids north of Bailleul. We took a few prisoners in a patrol encounter in the neighborhood of Noyelles.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc and Reuter. BRITAIN'S WAR EFFORT. FRENCH HONOR EMPIRE DAY. Received May 22, 9.30 p.m. London, May 21. Empire Day celebrations will be held in many French towns in honor of the British Empire's war effort.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter. DARING AMERICAN AVIATOR. New York, May 21. The correspondent of the New York Times with the American army states that Lufberry, the airman, volunteered to attack a giant German aeroplane, the engines of which were armor-plated. The gunners wore steel suits and the pilot sat in a steel house. Several American airmen kept up a stream of fire againßt the German plane without result. The scene resembled swallows pecking at a giant bird of prey. Lufberry attacked, but his tank got ablaze, and he leaped from the machine at a height of 2000 feet.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. PRESS CORRESPONDENT EXPELLED FROM FRANCE. Paris, May 21. The French Government has expelled Robert Dell, the Paris correspondent of The Manchester Guardian, in consequence of an article on the 1917 peace negotiations.—Aus. and N,Z. Cable Association. AERIAL SUPERIORITY. New York, May 21. The British Mission has announced that British aviators control the air in their section of the West front, and practically all the combats are over the German lines.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Association.