Evening star., 1918-05-28
GERMANS PUSH ACROSS ALSNE,
FORCING BRITISH TO FALL BACK;
ALLIES STRIKE IN FLANDERS
Battle MOUeS
On WeStFrOnt
Made Palmer

The Germans, striking south
from the Chemin-des-Dames
after carrying that important
ridge in the opening of their new
offensive yesterday, have pushed
on rapidly and effected cross
ing of the Aisne river between
Vailly and Berry-au-Bac.
This represents a front of
nearly twenty miles along which
the armies of the crown prince
engaged in this great drive have
crossed the Aisne. In addition
they have apparently pushed at
points some distance south of the
river and are striking for the
River Vesle, which parallels the
Aisne along the greater part of
this front at an average distance
of about FIVE miles.
The Vesle, at it's most southerly
point in this sector. is approximately
ten miles from the German point of
departure, but the German penetra-
ton is apparently considerably short
of this depth.
Brunt Borne by French.
along the whole Aisne front today,
the brunt of 1t being borne by the
French. before whose lines there was
seemingly the greatest concentration
for the enemy effort. The French
communications are excellent in this
sector, however. aud the probability
Is that reserves are speedily being
place % before I the Germans a force
that can effectively stop them.
The British when the battle started
apparently were holding q line ap-
proximately twelve miles long. be-
west of Rheims. and Craoneile.
across the Aisne to-. the northwest.
the line straddiing the Aisne at about
midway this distance. near Berry-au-
Bac.
There is no indication that the Brit
ish right flank was materially affected
by the shock. The left flank. how
ever. felt the effect Of the impact
upon the French front farther west,
where a crossing Of the Aisne was
obliged to fall back in conformity.
The British line to the west Of
Berry-au-Bac 10 now wholly south Of
the Aisne. according to the indications
in today's onicial statements.
Attack in Flanders.
The German attack in Flanders was
evidently a subsidiary affair. not even
on the scale Of some of the previous
offensive movements there, although
there was an extremely heavy concen-
tration Of troops for the limited front
attacked.
The French bore the brunt Of this
blow and repulsed 1t with the loss
of scarcely any ground. the Germans
succeeding only in pushing in some-
thing like a half-mile south Of Dicke-
busch lake. about four miles south
west Of Ypres.
made counter attack in this sector,
which was progressing well at latest
advices. and promised to turn the
whole German effort on the northern
front into q complete failure, which
had cost the enemy heavily.
May Be Main Blow.
Military opinion seems to be sway
ing between the view that the south
erly attack now being pressed by the
Germans between Scissors and Rheims
is the main enemy effort in the re-
sumption OF his offensive or whether
he is planning to deal an even greater
blow at the Amiens front. where his
first great stroke was delivered this
spring.
In view Of the persistence with which
the Germans are now following up
their early success in storminx the
sChemin-des-Dames and forcing the
Aisne crossings. 1t seems probable that
the former opinion will gain strength
and that a determined following up
of the enemy effort. in the shape of a
| drive for Paris. will be looked for.
Gen. Foch's strategy is counted upon
to employ the vast effective forces at
his command SO as to counter the Ger
+. mans effectively when they have fully
=, developed. their purpose. whichever
way the attack may trend.