The Prescott daily news., 1918-05-28
HUNS RESUME DRIVE
 BUT GET NOWHERE IN
 FLANDERS AND A|SNE
In Flanders Allies Recovered
 What Little Ground Lost Southern Attack Was Made Between Rheims and SOissOns

BetWeen hne1mS ana SOlSSOnS London, May 27-Germany's long awaited offensive on the battle front in France opened this morning at two points where it had been expected between Rheims and Soissons and in Flanders. In the latter region, of course, it is another attempt to reach the hill positions west of Kemmel and to pinch the British army holding the Ypres salient. The attack in the Rheims-Soissons sector perhaps is a formidable blow by which the Ger mans hope to shatter the French army, a similar attempt against the British further north having failed. Launching heavy offensive at dawn today against the French in the Locre Voormezeele sector, the Ger mans failed of their objectives at vir- tually all points. At some points the defending patrols were driven in, but vigorous counter-attacks threw the Germans back at most palces. Virtu- ally the entire French line was re- established.
 Hard fighting at this hour still con- tinues on the northern part of the battle front. Just south of Dicke- busch Lake the Germans forced their way into the French line for a dis tance of 800 yards and also got into the front line system at another point in this region. In both these places the enemy was clinging desperately to his newly acquired positions, but the French were dealing with the sit uation, which appeared to be satis- factory at the latest reports. One hundred prisoners already have been sent back to the French cages.
 Today's attack was perhaps prelim- mary to larger operations and appar- ently has been undertaken for the pur pose of regaining the high ground which the French wrested from the enemy May 20
 Such positions as Bruloose and neighboring places would be valuable acquisitions for the enemy if the Ger mans were to develop a general attack in this region later.
 It is interesting to note in connec- ton with today's drive in Flanders that the Germans considered their at atcks on the Lys front in April to be failure, according to prisoners. It is stated that while some troops have been congratulated for the way they fought, they have been told that their failure was the result of bad staff work The general in command of operation here was relieved of his command.
 The Reuter- correspondent at head quarters in France describes the Ger man bombardment as scarcely less violent than that which heralded the German offensive on March 21. Gas shells were employed in great quan- titles and the bombardment and in fantry attack between Soissons and Rheims were on a more formidable scale than in Flanders.
 The Germans, according to this cor respondent, employed their familiar formations-dense waves of infantry following closely in the wake of a lifting barrage, and they pushed fresh troops up with characteristic recklessness.
 Among the signs of a resumption of the grand offensive are that the enemy is heavily shelling our far back areas with high velocity guns, and also his airmen are unusually venturesome, continues the dispatch. "A note of confidence comes in the