ALLIES SURROUND GERMAN RIGHT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2269, 1 October 1914, Page 5

ALLIES SURROUND GERMAN RIGHT

PROGRESS OF THE GREAT BATHE 7 FRONT EXTENDS OVER DISTANCE OF 220 MILES ! By Telegmph—Preoa Association—Oouyxlfflit (Reo. October 1, 0.20 a.m.) . . ' " . / ' Paris, September SO. An official communique states: "The French line from the Pont-a-Mousson district extends in a line to Apemont, which is five miles south-east of St. Mihiel, to the Meuse. NoTth of St.'Mihiel the line extends from the heights north of Spada to the Bouth-east of Verdun. "Between ,Verdun and Reims the front passes Vareness and goes to the - north of Souain, and the Roman road leading to Reims. Skirting Reims it follows the road to Berryubae and the heights called Les Hauteurs du Ohemin Des Dames. . "The line follows the Aisne to Soissons and then includes the first plateau on the northern, bank to Compeigne. The lino between the Oiso and the Somme corresponds to' the Ribecourt front. The enemy is holding Lassingy and Chaulines, the Allies are holding Roye. "North of the Somme the line extends to the plateau between Albert und Combles." We made a number of prisoners o'i Monday. Tha Exchange News Agency correspondent states that Peronne has been iecaptuired.... The communique unmistakably demonstrates that the French hare surrounded the Germans in the Department of Somme. The Allies' front, 'as defined in the above message, has a length of about 220 miles, measuring roughly frpm point to point—equal to the distance from Wellington to Napier. Pont-a-Mousson, the extreme point in the east, is near the German frontier fifteen miloi north of Nancy. Albert, the extreme point in the west is eighteen miles north-east of Amiens. The more important points, along the line from east to west which indicate its general trend and can be found on any map of France, are: Verdun, Reims, Soiseotia, and Oompiegne. St. Mihiel is on the Meuse. almost due east of Pont-a-Mousson. '— : —- / • TWENTY-TWO ATTACKS SMASHED. • London, September 28. "The Times" military correspondent says: - "Our entrenched lines are gradually approaching the German position, which accounts for the nervous anxiety of' the enemy to keep tho Allies at arm's length. At one point the Germans'made twenty-two attacks, six in RTeat force, and nearly all were smashed to pieces within 450 yards of the English rifleS. Only one came within 150 yards."—("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) . ' GERMAN REGIMENTS WITHOUT OFFICERS. Par's, September 29. Tho German attack eastward of .Reims has been renewed with unavailing violence. Two battalions of Prussian Guards ivere wiped out on Monday. Tho Guards corps' losses ivero tremendous. Somo of tho regiments lost all their officers. Tlio failure of .tho advance was accompanied with'severe loss in killed, wounded, prisoners, and guns. \ SLIGHT PROGRESS NEAR THE MEUSE. (Reo. September 30, 9.20 p.m.) 1 Paris, September 29. An official communique says: "We repulsed several day and night attacks on our left north of Somme and the Qise. The situation north of the Aisne is unchanged. "In the centro and oast of the Argonno tho enemy has confined operations to heavy cannonade. Between the Argonno and the Meuso we have progressed slightly against strongly prepared positions. "There is no change in the Woeuvro district and on tho right Vfiugi

ENEMY'S RIGHT SAID TO BE BROKEN, (Reo. September 30, 8.15 p.m.) London, September 30. The Exohange News Agenoy, telegraphing from Park at midnight, says that an unconfirmed report, states that the German right is entirely broken, and that all automobiles have been requisitioned for tlio purpose of pursuit. An official communique indicates that tho Frenoh left extends from Albert to Combles. ' Albert is eighteen miles north-east of Amiens and l Combles is ten miles east of Albert, ■ PLANS THAT WENT AWRY, (Rec. October 1, 0.50 a.m.) London, September 80. "The Times" publishes an article b,y a well-known publicist of a neutral country ivho was in Germany when war broke out, and who has since been with the German army in Belgium. The writer states that Germany a plan, for the invasion of France was to divide her forces into an army of invasion and an army of occupation. Tho former was composed entirely of the First Line with the most modern light artillery to prepare the way for heavy howitzers and sieg© guns, which were intended for the reduction of tho Paris forts and other fortified cities. The army of occupation was to be composed of the Landwehr and Landsturm (reserves), aiid was to occupy the cities, garrison the fortresses, and guard the communications. _ • The Belgians' fierce opposition and the speedy arrival of the British force made many alterations in the plans necessary. ; PRIME MINISTER'S MESSAGES ' The following messages were received by the' Prime Minister from the High Commissioner yesterday:— , ■„ London, September 29, 4.55 p.m. Official.—General Headquarters reports that the British force and the French armies are in immediate touch. The 23rd passed without incident as regards major operations, though the enemy concentrated heavy artillery fire upon a plateau near Paissy. ! _ The absence of wind gave our airmen a chance of gathering information. One of our aviators, who has been particularly active in annoying the enemy, was wounded in a duel in tho air. He was alone on a single-seater monoplane, unable to'use a rifle, and whilst circling above a twoseater, and endeavouring to get within pistol 6hot, he was hit by an observer in the latter machine. . • On the 24th there was a lull in tho action, heavy German shells falling, mostly near Pargnan. ,' _ , „ , Many flights were made by aviators, French, British, and. German producing much activity. London, September 29, 11.85 p.m. Official. —There is practically no change in tfie situation. The Allies' left have had heavy fighting, but are well holding their own. London, September 29, 10.50 a.m. ( Official—Casualty lists just published show that 25. non-commissioned officers and men were admitted to hospitals under date September 9; 32 killed, 136 wounded, and 55 missing. Fifty-one officers- and- ,men admitted to the Northern Hospital on September 15. London, September 30, 12.50 p.m. ,Official—Paris reports that the position is favourable. Several day and night attacks on the Allies' left wing, north of the Somme and the Oise, have been repulsed. There is no change north of the Aisne. There has been a heavy cannonade in tho centre and east of the Argonne. The Allies have advanced between the Ajgonne and the Meuse. No change has taken place on the right wing. _ ' The Allies' line now lies from east to west on the front in Pont a Moubson district, along the line formed by Apremont to the Meuse, in _ the. St. Mihiel region, on the heights north of Spada, and part of the heights from the Meuse to south-east of Verdun. _ Between Verdun and Reims the line passes through Verdun to north of Souain arid the Roman road which leads to Reims,; The line skirts Reims and follows the road from Reims .to Berryubae and the heights of Les Hauteurs du Chemin des Dames. On tin right bank of the Aisne the lino runs near tho Aisne to the Soisson district. Between Soissons and Fovet de Laigle, tho Allies' positions include tho first plateau on the right bank of the Aisne. ■ Between tho Oise and the Somme tlio line corresponds with tho ' front. Ribecourt is held by us, Lassigny by the,enemy, Roye by us, and Chaulmes bV the' enemy. . ' ... North of the Somme the Allies' line goes over the plateau between Albert and Combles. The Allies made many .prisoners yesterday.