The plan of attack was similar to that adopted in the Battle of the Somme. Each division had two regiments in the first line and one in reserve. Each leading regiment had two battalions side by side in deep echelon formation, with one supporting battalion. Battalions of storm-troops, liquid-fire companies, independent detachments of machine-gunners, companies of cyclists and mountain battalions were added to each division. Each regiment was provided with numerous heavy and light machine-guns, mine-throwers, and accompanying guns. An idea of the huge numbers of the latter may be gained from the fact that sixty-eight batteries of four guns each were counted in two regiments. The infantry attack was prepared and supported by a formidable concentration of guns of all calibres. The artillery of the 7th German Army on the Leuilly--Berry-au-Bac front was estimated at 1,450 batteries--_i.e._ fifty batteries per mile, of which twenty supported the infantry. This artillery concentration greatly exceeded that of the preceding German offensives of 1917 and 1918. [Illustration: THE GERMAN ADVANCE ON MAY 27 AND 28.] The Break-through. The opposing Allied forces were much smaller. From Pinon to Craonnelle the front was held by the 30th and 11th French Corps (6th Army, General Duchesne) with head-quarters at Tartiers and Braine respectively. The sector from Craonnelle to the outskirts of Rheims was held by the Ninth British Corps which had been placed at the disposal of General Micheler, commanding the French 5th Army. Rheims was held by the 1st French Colonials, in _liaison_ on the left with the French 45th Division forming the British right wing. Most of these troops had already been engaged in the big battles of March and April. After a terrifically intense artillery preparation which began at midnight and included great quantities of gas-shells, the German infantry rushed forward between 3.30 and 4 a.m., preceded by a powerful creeping barrage and, in places, by tanks. The surprise was complete. The French stood the bombardment heroically and made a desperate resistance. Near Laffaux, the 21st (Territorial) Regiment fought to the last man rather than fall back. However, in spite of heroic resistance and heavy sacrifices, the German onrush bore down the Allies by sheer weight of numbers. To the west, a German corps with a division of reserves outflanked Pinon Wood and converged towards Laffaux Plateau, but were unable to reach the Aisne, whilst another corps gained a footing on the Chemin-des-Dames and advanced slowly towards Vailly. In the centre, where the attack was more furious and powerful, the enemy advanced rapidly, reaching the Aisne before 11 a.m., between Chavonne and Concevreux. Another corps reached the river in the morning, between Concevreux and Berry-au-Bac. To the east, a third corps attacked from north to south and maintained its positions level with those of the neighbouring corps on the right.