The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-05-06
international News Service.)

international News Service)
London, May 6.-Renewal Of Ger
man activities against tho Bel
eians at the extreme northern end
Of the western battle front rdi-
Gates that a blow 10 irnpendno
there, having the two-fold object
Of infiltrating southwark along the
the North sea coast menacinu
Dunkirk and Of drivinu in the
northern flank Of the Ypres salient.
An official report issued by the Bel
gian war office said:
Elm the night time anasenemy party
that was attempting to approach our
advanced posts in the region Of Nieu
port (on the coasO was dispersed by
our fire.
The operation on the northern end OF
the line probably would be carried out
in conjunction with converging attacks
from the SOUTH the German striking
from the KENNEL sector
The Germans had been protecting the
Nieuport sector with a naval division
composed of marines. But these were
transferred to the Somme and TOOK
part in the German grand offensive
which began on March 81. The. ma
rines were badly cut UP in the hghting
in front Of Amiens.
The naval forces were replaced on
the coast by landwehr. but recently the
landwehr were replaced by active hrst
line troops.
The Germans occupv favorable posi-
tions among the dunes for an attack
over a. five-mile front in the Nieuport
zone. which is hardly enough for ell
bow room.
Between Nieuport and Dixmude the
country is flooded and there is barrier
three or four miles wide in front OF tne
boches.
On the User canal the Germans hold
nositions on the bank that resulted III
a surprise attack last August.
East of Dixmude ard between
Mercken and Boesinghe, almost TO inc
outskirts of Ypres, the German arul-
lev hos become more active. French
guns that are supporting the Belgian
artillery are engaging in incessant
counter battery work. while air actiV-
ity is increasing on a similar sctle.
The German war office in It's ofilciai
rcport issued Sunday night, SAID that
there had been no new developments OH
the whole front.
The struggle may fare up anywhere
hetween Noyon and the North sea coast
momentarily. No sustained bomparo
ment of several days gives warning OIL
forthcoming big scale infantry attacks
novadays. Not since Gen. Byng IN
vented short, sharp bursts OF gunnre
from massed artillery with many gas
shells has the old style aftiler! pieP7
aration been in use.
The hoches are always eager 10 selHe
worthy ideas and they faithfully cop
,ed the shorter but intenser artiiiery
prenaration which Gen. Byng frst useo
90 successfully at Cambria last &c
tohe, The new style artillery prep
aration doesn't give ample warning
nor time for the defensive side to con-
contrate men and guns to repei t"e
attack they know is Forthcoming.
The logical spot for Hlndenuurs .o
select as the th6ater or MS next ope
atinns would be against Arras ana
Stt,,ancbv--executing a famous "pincers
with the lower jaw swapping
,,ortbward from Hebuterne ana the
inner crushing southward from LocIe'
4,,st outside of Bethune. Such scis- '
sora operation, II successtul, Wouiu
i've the enemy greater elbow room anu {
AZ the same time cramp the ai,Ies
,hor and afterward give Won flnoeh-
t,,rr Greater elasticity for troop move
r,onte as the soldiers could be shltteu
directly north and south without nay
ne TO curve in and out OF sane".
owing to the presence oi "uis - ~
and below the Givenchy- -Arras iine VIZ J
saohcs would not be compelled TO at [
III, f-ontaliy against defensive posi- i
.Ions strengthened by four years OF
.,arfare. Recent attacks north ana v
south OF this segment. permits tne I
'annching Of assaults concentrlcaiLE C
ron, the fianks maintaining merely ar a
'iIIe-y drum fire in front OF the posi- E
lion. -. dc
Even such operations viii not &c
riate Gen. Foch from his plans as 'he
,uicd strategy Is the Simplest mas
,,abIe--let Nhc enemy bleed himself
,rorrv while struggling for geograph-
cal points. but maintain the reserve /,
,rmv intact against such time that the q.
nemy is 80 weakened he cannot meet p
counter drive nor retaliate. /,