The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-05-27
1t May Be Beginning of Big
New Offensive.
Attacks Were Preceded by
Heavy BOmbardment.
FRONT JUST WEST OF RHEIMS
Attack Extends Over About
Forty Miles.
Another Assault Made Also on
Flanders Front.
fBy the Associated Press.l

London, May 27.-Strong German
attacks developed early this morning
against the British and French posi-
tions between Rheims and Scissors,
the war office announces.
The attacks were preceded by q
heavy bombardment.
The latest reports show that the
Germans have made some small prog
ress in places.
The German attack against the en-
tente positions northwest of KENNEL
was launched at 4:30 o'clock this
morning, after a heavy bombardment.
There was great activity on the part
of the enemy in several sectors be-
tween Arras and Albert early this
morning but no infantry movement
had been reported up to 10 o'clock
Belgian troops have recorded fresh
victories over the Germans. On Sun
day night they repuised Teuton attacks
or big raids on three sectors of their
front.
The attack of the Germans in the
sector northwest of KENNEL appeared
to be directed against the front cap
| tured by the French on May 20.
Aisne Front Is Scene.
The Germans also attacked this
morning in Flanders between Locre
and Voormezeele, on the northern side
of the salient.
The front of the German attack is
along the sector which usually is re-
ferred to as the Aisne front, owing to
the fact that for long time the line
of battle followed the Aisne river
The present battle line runs along
the Ai1ette river north of the Aisne
over the larger part of this sector. the
French having advanced their line.
The front of attack is about forty
miles, which is about fifteen miles
shorter than the line of the original
German attack on March FL.
In turning to a new sector to strike
their blow, the Germans have taken a
course contrary to that which had
generally been predicted by military
commentators.
Is Surprise Attack.
! The view usually expressed has
| been that the Germans were commit
ted SO heavily to the campaign in
Picardy and Flanders. and were oc-
/ cupying such dangerously exposed
positions that they were under the
necessity of striking again at those
I points when they resumed the attack.
/ The German strategy may contem-
plate a surprise attack in sufficient
strength to compel General Foch to
withdraw troops from the north, in
the hope of involving the allies sufff-
ciently on the Aisne front to weaken
their lines in Picardy and Flanders.
j If the Germans counted on surprise
/ to assist them in the new attck they
probably have fallen into a miscalcu-
I lation.
Americans There?
I American troops may be taking part
| in the new battle. Early in the spring
there were several references in news
| dispatches to the presence of Amerf-
cans at that part of the line Part
| of these forces consisted of artillery
: detachments in training but at one
point at least infantrymen were in the
| trenches. There has been no recent
reference to Americans there, how
yer, and they may have been with
I drawn.
| TIL front between Scissors and
Rheims Is a difficult one, offering the
allies excellent facilities for the de-
fense. The country is hilly, with q
series OF strong natural positions to
the rear of the allied lines. The Ger
mans already have sustained two Sc
we're defeats on this front.
! Pals Announces Same
Paris, Nay 27-Over the front be-
tween the forest of Pinon and Rheims
the Germans launched an attack this
morning, the war office announced
The French and British troops are
resisting with their habitual valance.
Weather conditions have improved
somewhat and allied airmen again
have taken up their work OF haraSs-
ing German troop concentrations and
fairdomes. British aviators, while
suffering no LOSSES themselves have
destro-ed eight more enemy ma
I chimes and disabled two others.
u On the Tou1 sector American avia.
tors apparentl-- have gained the mas
terry over the enemy and German ma
. chimes could not be found on that
front Sunday.
. -Four weeks ago today the Germans
sustained a disastrous and sanguinaYy
: repulse in their attempt to advance
: northward from Mount KENNEL. This
: was the reverse which stopped the
!, second enemy thrust against the Brit
y (Continued on Page Two.)