Lais, somewhat sympathetically, recorded the plight of these French reservists: “Scared of this red devil, the French landstrum commander could not raise his hands fast enough. All sections had parties told off for bridge demolitions. Suddenly two German Gas shells burst close at hand, punctual heralds of the storm. German pioneers quickly set up more substantial bridges across the river and canal that could support wagons and vehicles. This was immediately followed by overwhelming numbers of elite, battle hardened German storm troops (Sturmtruppen) advancing en-masse still under cover of the early dawn light and thick mist. XXXIII The 2nd Battalion, Devonshire Regiment was practically annihilated, with 552 members killed or captured and less than 80 survivors left to regroup with the retreating British forces. The Germans had entrenched On the morning of 27 May 1918, the Germans began a bombardment (Feuerwalze) of the Allied front lines with over 4,000 artillery pieces. Lais wrote how someone from the 2nd MG Company came up the ‘brilliant idea’ to use the abandoned stores of bed frames and posts as framework to construct improvised footbridges. Ludendorff, who saw the British Expeditionary Force as the main threat, believed that this, in turn, would cause the Allies to move forces from Flanders to help defend the French capital, allowing the Germans to continue their Flanders offensive with greater ease. Tanks do not appear to have been used on this front, but as the light increased enemy aeroplanes were observed flying low over our forward system and firing into the trenches. A German breakthrough was aided by orders of a French general to mass troops in the front line – a tactic by this date discredited. Lais wrote that while the Germans would never seek to harm their prisoners, they also did not appreciate the rather ‘insolent attitude’ displayed by this particular batch of POWs. Tank engines were started and pitched to high levels of torque. The positions of the Allied Artillery were well known to Germans because the French had been there a long time and the Germans had many months to accurately locate them. About midday, when it became obvious that the Germans were in the wood, he sent Captain A.D. Black, of the 490th Field Company, with twenty-five sappers, southwards to do what he could to prevent the enemy coming out of the wood. 2nd Devonshire, 24th Inf. It was one of a series of offensives, known as the Kaiserschlacht, launched by the Germans in the spring and summer of 1918. A mile to the east of Pontavert and just off the river was a substantial fishery complex, recorded by the combatants as the ‘La Pecherie Ferne.’ On the south bank of the Aisne, disorganized British troops attempted to rally to defend the stone bridge. French reserve forces, described by Lais as ‘grey-bearded elderly men’ took up positions in a wood line across the river from the Pecherie. If they try it, shoot the devils. Aircraft flew into machine gun, bomb and mark the British positions for artillery strikes. The German Spring Offensive was “the last of the ebb” and ultimately failed for a number of strategic reasons. Under these conditions it was, in many cases, impossible to carry on the counter preparation and harassing fire which was to have continued all night, but it was maintained whenever possible and for as long as possible. Appeared to approach from right rear in considerable strength. Button, after having destroyed all the maps, papers and records, was last seen moving off with a rifle to assist Capt. To meet the former demand, General Heneker sent out officers to collect all the stragglers they could find and these, supplemented by his HQ guard and the personnel of his HQ – a total force of some 500 men – were sent forward under his ADC, Major G.R. Platoon commanders will remain with their rifles till overwhelmed by sheer weight of numbers. ” doubts. 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