On automorphisms of a class of special \(p\)-groups (Q5955992)

Given a finite group \(G\) of order \(n\) and an odd prime number \(p\), \textit{L. Verardi} has constructed a special \(p\)-group \(P_G\) of exponent \(p\) and order \(p^{3n}\) [Arch. Math. 68, No. 1, 7-16 (1997; Zbl 0866.20012)]. \(P_G\) consists of triples of elements of \(\mathbb{F}_pG\) with the group operation \((x,y,z)\cdot (x',y',z')=(x+x',y+y',z+z'-x'y)\). In this paper the authors consider the automorphism group of \(P=P_G\). Reviewer's note: There appears to be a problem with two of the proofs. In particular in the proof of Corollary 2.3 the authors claim that the map \(\Aut(P)\to\Aut(P/\Phi(P))\) is surjective. By considering the case when \(G=C_2\), the cyclic group of order 2, and \(p=3\) one can see this is not the case. For example the automorphism of \(P/\Phi(P)\) which sends \((1,0,0)\) to \((2,0,0)\) and fixes the other generators cannot be lifted to an automorphism of \(P\). A similar problem exists with the proof of Theorem 2.5.