Evening star., 1918-05-18
ALl|ESAWA|T|NG
GERMAN DRIVES
WITH CONFIDENCE
Have Utilized Long Period of
LuII to Round Out De-
fensive Plans.
By the Associated Press.

BY tne ASSOCIATED Pfess-
The indications from both
German and entente quarters
are that the hour of the resump-
ton of the German drive in the
west is not far distant. On the
entente side is a feeling that the
Germans have completed their
preparations, and that the begin
ming of their new attack only
depends upon weather condi-
tions.
The allies likewise have util-
lied the long period of the lull
to round out their defensive
plans, and Gen. Foch, the COM
mander-in-chief, and all the al
lied forces are declared to be
awaiting the shock with the
greatest confidence that they
can successfully resist it.
Active Operations.
The active operations. however.
continue to be of minor nature, and
there is no sign that even the heavy
gunfire reported from some parts Of
the front is above the normal of the
last two weeks. AS has been the
case recently. the chief field of
5ombardment on the French front
has been along the Avre river, south
east of Amiens and with the British
the line around the Lys salient in
Flanders southwest of Ypres.
1t is on the Avre sector, apparently.
that French commentators expect the
chief force of the blow to fall The
German plan is still felt to be one
contemplating a division of the Brit
ish and French armies If possible
Amiens and Clermont to the south.
and driving forward toward the
coast.
Latest British Report.
LONDON. May 1S.-Heavy artillery
fighting last night between Givenchy
and Robecq on the southern side of
the Flanders salient is reported by
'"s There a 'a Waa considerable artillery
activity last night on both sides be-
tween Givenchy and Robecq. The
hostile artillery has shown some ac-
and Ypres sectors.
There is nothing further to re-
port"
Successful Raid.
LONDON, May 1--we carried out
a successful raid last night in the
neighborhood of Beaumont -Hamel
and captured a few prisoners" says
Field Marshal Haig's communica ton,
issued this evening.
This morning a hostile post north
of Merris was rushed by our troops.
Its garrison was killed or driven out.
"On the remainder of the front there
is nothing to report beyond artillery
activity on both Sides"
LONDON. May 1.-THE official state
ment relative to aerial operations is
sued by the war Office today reads:
Great aerial activity prevailed on
Thursday. Over twenty-five tons Of
bombs were dropped on important
railway centers. airdromes and billets
behind the enemy lines.
Aerial fighting was intense early
in the morning and again in the even
ing, thirty hostile machines being de-
stroyed and five driven down out of con-
troll. Ten were shot down by our
guns. two landing be-
hind our lines. Their occupants were
captured.
Give of our machines are missing.
During the night ten and a half
tons of bombs were dropped on differ
stations at Lille, Douai and Chaulnes.
Billets in the neighborhood Of Ba-
paume, Peronne and Rosieres. as well
as the docks at Bruges. also were
bombed. The enemy's night flying
machines also were active. One
Gotha landed behind our line and its
crew was captured"
Guns Active In Avre Region.
PARIS. May 1s-Violent artillery
fighting north and south of the Avre
CONTINUED on N5s.a 1~,