ALLIED GAINS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16256, 5 July 1918, Page 7

ALLIED GAINS.

PROGRESS IN FRANCE AND ITALY DETAILS OF HOSPITAL SHIP OUTRAGE MONARCHIST MOVE IN RUSSIA. FOURTH YEAR—33Bth DAY.

THE WEST FRONT. ONLY LOCAL ACTIVITIES (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, July 2. Sir Douglas Haic reports: — "A German attack on Monday night north-west of Albert, with a view to the recapture of the ground -we had: taken on the preceding nighty was repulsed, except at one point, where the enemy obtained a footing in a trench. We repulsed raids in the neighbourhoods of Aveluy Wood, Avion, and Hinges." A French communique states: — "There is nothing important to report on the whole front. "Twenty-one German aeroplanes were shot down or disabled on Sunday, and six captive balloons were set on fire. Twenty-two tons of bombs were dropped at night on enemy aerodromes and stations.'' A later French communique states:— "West of Chateau Thierry a local operation, executed in conjunction with American troops, enabled us to improve our positions on the front from Vaux to 'Hill 204. "The Americans captured "the village of Vaux and a height to the west of the village Over three hundred prisoners were taken. 'We made raids between Montdidier and Noyon, and east of Rheims. Enemy attempt? near Belloy and in Upper Aisace failed." LONDON, July 2. Although merely local affairs, the French week-end successes are valuable because, in addition to advancing six hundred yards on a three-mile front between Nosloy and Passy, the gains includ.o heights overlooking the Ourcq Valley, which is the shortest and most convenient line to Paris. The new positions will make enemy surprise attacks more difficult. (Received July 4th, 4 p.m.) LONDON, July 3. Sir Douglas Haig reports:— "After a heavy bombardment the enemy on the night of July 2nd attacked and recaptured the greater part of the ground taken by us in the minor operation on the of June 13th. "We carried out successful raids in the neighbourhood of Boyolles, Moyenneville, and Merris." A French communique reports.-— . "Between the Oise and the Aisne we repulsed two raids east of Vingre. We caprtured the village of fet. Pierre Aigle. South of the Aisne a German counter-attack upon the positions in the region of Vaux, west of Chateau Thierry, captured by the Americans, completely failed. Fresh prisoners/remained in our hands." (Received July 4th, 7.45 p.m.) LONDON, July 4. A French communique reports:—

"Between the Oise and the Aisne we carried out a local operation north of Moulin sous Touvent, and captured an eneqiy position on a front of three kilometres to a depth of 800 meters at some points. "West of Chatean Thierry a hostile counter-attack in the region of Vaux failed, also attacks north-east of Monsel, in Upper Alsace." (Received July 4th, 11.55 p.m.) LONDON, July 4. A French communique states: — "There is reciprocal artillery activity in the Argonne . region, and on the right bank of the Meuse. "The total number of prisoners captured north of Moulin sous Touvent reached 475. "We also captured 30 machineguns." (Renter's Telegrams.) ' LONDON, July 2 Renter's correspondent writes:— 'The fact that the Allies' persistent and successful policy of pinpricks has failed to provoke a resumption of tbo Geiman attacks shows that the delay of the offensive is imposed by necessity, and is giobably due to difficulty in concentrating the needed material on ground far in advance of the railways It is beyond doubt that the Austrian defeat has disorganised the German schemes. Hence the coming blow is awaited with confidence, though it is rccogni&ed that the next three months will be critical. H A GERMAN SUCCESS. (United Service.? (Received July 4th, 11.55 p.m.) LONDON, July 3. The ridge north-west of Albert was so menacing to Albert and Aveluy Wood that the Germans determined to retake it at all costs. They succeeded in their fourth attempt since Sunday. GERMAN CLAIMS. (Australian and IT.Z. Cable Association) LONDON, July 2. An Admiralty message, per Wireless Press, says:— A Gemian official message gives the following particulars of prisoners (not including wounded) taken since March 21st:— Totil prisoners 191,454 British troops ... 94,939 French troops ... 89,099 The English prisoners include four generals and 3100 officers. Tho French prisoners include two generals. The remainiig prisoners include Portuguese Belgians, and Americans. The Germans also claim the capture of 2476 puns and 15,024 machine-guns. General von Ludendorff, in an indignant Anny Order, denounces the German prisoners and deserters who disclosed to tho enemy the plans of the German attacks on the Chemtn des Dames on May 25th. so that the enemy knew the hour, the form of the attacks, and the unit 3 engaged. There was a similar occurrence on June 9th. Vcn Ludendorff says he was amazed at the accuracy and wealth of detail of the information the French had derived from the German prisoners. "This infamous conduct by a Tew individuals," says the order, "may have the gravest results on the victorious issne of the war."

AN AMERICAN SUCCESS. (Received July 4th, 4 p.m.) LONDON, July 3. An American communique states: — "We stormed the village of Vaux and Laroche Woods, and neighbouring woods, in co-operation with the French, who advanced their lino on Hill 204. We advanced our positions 1000 yards on al£ mile front. The enemy's losses in killed and wounded were heavy. His regiment holding this sector resisted obstinately, and was practically annihilated. Our losses were relatively light. A German counter-attack was entirely repulsed." (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received July 4th, 4 p.m.) LONDON, July 3. The "Daily Chronicle" correspondent at American Headquarters says:— "The Americans scored again in their latest operation in the Marne Valley, capturing Vaux and 400 prisoners in 40 minutes. Tho attack was a logical development of their earlier successes on the Chateau Thierry sector. It entailed ousting the Germans from Laroche Wood, and the occupation of a knob-like 1 crest called Hill 192. Vaux was heavily garrisoned with many ma-chine-guns, but the Americans found a French mason and builder, who knew the interior of almost every house. Scouting parties were sent out night after night, thus craftily drawing tho machine-gun fire. When everything was known the attack was launched. There were 4000 Huns in Vaux when tho American bombardment commenced, and all but 700 fled before the ."doughboys" went over the top. Tho Americans closely hugged an almost perfect barrage, advancing on a two-miles' front. Within 23 minutes they were inside Vaux. They had taken Hill 192 in 26 minutes, and the, wood was taken in 40 minutes. The American machinery was too perfect for the Germans. There is no donbt now that the United States is in the war." (Router's Telegrams.) (Received July ,4th, 11.55 p.m.) LONDON, July 4. Router's correspondent at Headquarters states:— "The enemy on £he morning of July 3rd counter-attacked with massed groups of fresh storm troops against the Americans' new positions at Vaux and Laroche Wood. The ontfre attack waß broken by intense artillery fire and machine-gun fire, without the loss of a foot of ground. Part of the ground is piled with enemy dead. Further attacks are anticipated." NEW YORK, July 2. The Americans advanced a half-mile on a two-mile front, west of Chateau Thierry, and took prisoner- 450 Germans.

COLD-BLOODED MURDERS. (Banter's Telegrams.) (Received July 4th, 7.45 p.m.) PARIS, July 3. A French Army Order asserts that the Germans are again resorting to killing wounded and prisoners. Evidence to this effect comes ■ from escaped French prisoners at 'various parts of the West Front. When Athenay was captured, they state, tfio onemy massacred the prisoners, including several wounded French soldiers. They saw Germans kill French prisoners with bayonets at Oligy, and at another place the Germans fixed bayonets and finished off all tho French wounded. These instances are of recent occurrence. AMERICA AT WAR. (By Cable.—Prw# Association*—Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Cable ) (Banter's Telegrams.) WASHINGTON, July 3. The Secretary of War, in a letter to President Wilson, detailing America's war efforts, states that over 1,000,000 troops have sailed to France. Starting with 1918 men in May, 1917, the numbers sent monthly have steadily increased, he says, to 276,382 sent in Jane, 1918. Besides soldiers, 14,644 marines have been sent, making a total of 1,019,115, while the total number returned from abroad, lost at sea, and casualties up to that date was 8165. Owing to the superbly efficient protection afforded by the Navy in transporting, only 291 were lost at 6ea. The letter states that supplies and equipment for all the troops sent have been adequate, and in the output of war industries America is displaying a marked improvement in practically all lines, particularly necessary equipment and supplies. > President Wilson, acknowledging the letter, says:—"lt is 'a record which must give universal satisfaction because the heart of the country is unquestionably in tie war." (Received July 4th, 4 p.m.) WASHINGTON, July 2. President Wilson has announced that mon* than 1,000,000 American troops have been sent to France. In June 276,000 were sent. President Wilson adds: "The United States rejoices to see her forces going faster and faster into the struggle destined to redeem the world." WASHINGTON, July 2. Giving evidence before the Committee of the _ House of Representatives, Mr J. Daniels (Secretary of tho Navy) and Mr N. D. Baker (Secretary for War) advocated that the Government should retain control of the United States railways after the war. (Australian and K.Z, Cable Association.) (By "Wireless.) WASHINGTON, July 3. A munitions plant at Syracuso exploded, 100 persons being fallal,