The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-05-15
(By Associated Press)


The expected renewal of the German
offensive having failed to develop, the
allies continuing their tactics of antici-
pating the thrust by reaching for new
vantage points from which the better
to resist it,
The French were the aggressors in
the last operation of this kind, carried
out late yesterday. They pushed out
from their lines north of Hailles, on
the Somme front, the objective being
wood situated at about the point
where the Germans had made their
furthest westward advance and are
within short distance Of the Paris
Amiens railway.
The operation was entirely success
full resulting in the capture of the
wood on the slope west OF the Ayre
river, possession of which improves
considerably the allied defensive posi-
ton in this important sector.
Huns Counter Attack.
The Germans evidently recognized
this fact for they countered strongly
at night. Their determined attack was
a failure however for after spirited
fighting the French remained in en-
tire control of their new position after
having cut the enemy up badly with
their fire. besides taking more than
three score prisoners
The artillery fire is reported by pris-
oners to have been violent last night
north of Montdidier just to the south
OF this sector where American troops
are holding position of the front.
The bombardment was severe also
along the southerly side Of the Mont
idier salient as far east as Noyon, and
the Germans attempted to attack at
one point on this line, but were
promptly checked. The London state
ment also indicates considerable act
1vity by the hostile artillery on the
British portion of the Somme front
in the Somme and Ancre valleys,
while this morning it increased in
the region between the Somme and
the Ancre, near Morlancourt, where
the Australians recently have made
notable advances and where they re-
pulsed a German effort to recapture
the lost ground.
On the Flanders battle front the
Germans likewise speeded up their
fire early today In the KENNEL Sec
tor after having worked their guns
moderately hard during the night on
the southerly side of the Lys salient,
in the Bethune and Nieppe wood re-
gions.
No Infantry Attacks
In Flanders and Picardy there are
still no indications that the Germans
are ready to resume infantry opera
tions on large scale. Local enemy
probably for the purpose of
feeling out" the allied positions in
advance of a big attack, have been
repulsed. north of KENNEL and south
of Albert
On the southern battlefield, the Ger
man effort was made on front of one
mile near Morlancourt, between the
Somme and Ancre rivers, but was not
pushed strongly. The enemy gained
an initial success and penetrated the
British lines at one point, being re-
pulsed elsewhere. A counter-attack by
troops fully restored the
British position. The attack north OF
KENNEL was against the French on
Hin A and adjoining elements The
Germans gained the hill, which dom
mates the surrounding region, but
Field Marshal Haig reports they were
repulsed finally
Almost a week has gone by since
the Germans displayed any marked
infantry activity and while the at
tacks north of KENNEL and south OF
Albert apparently were not in great
strength, they were made against tie
vital sectors of the two German. drfv-
en- salients and where the enemy prob
ably will launch his next heavy at.
tempt or attempts. II is not unlikely
the attacks were made 20 ascertain
the result of the German artillery
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