BATTLEFIELD A VAST TRIANGLE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 219, 4 June 1918, Page 5

BATTLEFIELD A VAST TRIANGLE

ENEMY'S ADVANCE MORE EFFECTIVELY HELD FOCH STILL STAYS HIS HAND ' By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright Heuter's correspondent at French Headquarters, writing on Saturday morning says: "On the Western front of his salient the enemy continues the pressuro over the great plateau west of the Criso Valley, and southward towards Neuilly, which is about six miles from the nearest sector of the enemy line." Writing at midday yesterday, tho correspondent says: "On the Marne the enemy holds the riyer hank for a distance of' three miles cast of Cbartreves. Tho enemy continues to pour fresh troops into the struggle. Tho Germans have already engaged nearly fifty divisions. Forty .divisions were ordered to participate in tho offensive as _ originally planned on tho Aisne. Another five were engaged through the extension of the enemy's front north-west of Soissons. Among these troops were some of the best and most carefully trained storm divisions in' the German Army. Of twenty-three divisions' composing Von Huticr's army of assault on March 21, fifteen were identified in the attack on tho Aisne. These divisions were withdrawn fronv the Picardy battlefield at tho end of March, brought up to strength, and given a few weeks' strenuous training for the new offensive.'"—Reuter.

NEWS MORE CHEERING

BUT GIGANTIC BATTLE ONLY COMMENCING,

London, June 2. The "Daily 1 Chronicle's" Paris correspondent reports that desperate fighting continues on the whole seventy-mile battlefront between the Oiso and northward of Reims. It is regarded here as only iho beginning of a gigantic battle. This afternoon's news produced a cheering effect, indicating that the ' French have not only stopped tho enemy's rush on the left wing between Soissons and Chateau Thierry, but have brilliantly counter-attacked. The Germans' violent effort in the direction of Villeis Cotterets, which is forty-five miles from Paris, completely failed, while the French drove them back and gained ground at the Crise River. The enemy made some gains on the north bank of tho Mame, but did not attempt to cross, remembering his former costly experience.—Aus - N.Z. Cablo Assn. PROGRESS OP THE BATTLE EAGERLY FOLLOWED (Rec. Juno 3, 10.25 p.m.) .'..,.,. , „ „ . London, June 3. The news of the battle is being eagerly followed in the British, American, Australian, and Canadian oamps on the Hommo and Flanders. Mr. Philip Ciibbs, telegraphing on' Sunday evening, said: "Our troops are awaiting the'new Gorman attacks. Meanwhile every British heart is gladdened by news of French counter-attacks."—Aus.-N.is. Cable Assn. FRENCH PREMIER SUSPENDS ALL LEAVE. „ „. ... , ~ . Paris, June 2. M. Clemenceau, m a circular, suspends all leave except in cases of illness — Au».-N.Z. Cable Assn. " ' • REFUGEES COMING INTO PARIS. Paris, Juno 2. Crowds of refugees are arriving in Paris. They are being sent to Normandy and mid-France— Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. VON LUDENDORFF DICTATOR OF THE OFFENSIVE. London, June 2. German deserters say that Von Ludendoiff warned the Crown Prince not la interfero with the offensive, and told him to go and amuse himself wherever ha liked. Von Hindenburg is suffering a similar eclipse.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ENEMY'S TROOPS ON SHORT RATIONS. New York, June 2. The correspondent of the New York "Times" with tho American Army in Franco states that a captured German told American officers that the German Army has been reduced to three meatless days a week. By permission of unit commanders tho 6oldiers are making the reduced rations last tho whole week. Tho reduction has caused much dissatisfaction.—Au6.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE OFFICIAL REPORTS GERMAN ATTACKS ON FRENCH LINE STUBBORNLY DEFENDED.

London, Juno 2, 5.40 a.m. A French official communique states: "To-day was marked by a series of powerful German attacks on the whole front between tho Oise and the Marne. Wo only gave up certain points before still superior forces, upon whom heavy losses were inflicted. Before the Oiso and tho Aisne we carried back our positions to tho northern outskirts of Carlepont Wood and the heights from west of Andignicourt to Fontenoy. All enemy attempts west and south of Soissons and to the north of Virzy wero futile. The battle farther south is violent on both sides of the Ourci|. The enemy holds Chouy and Neuilly. We continue to defend the Villers-Helon-Nauroy-Triez-Mouthiors-Uepilly line. We hold Chateau Thierry. Tho situation north of the Marno is unchanged. Despito constant enemy pressure on our right we practically maintained our positions in tho region of tho Dormans-Reims road, practically north of Ville-en-Tardonois. The situation northwest and north of Reims is unchanged. As the result of a violont attack southeast of'Roims, which was supported by tanks, the enemy momentarily seized the Pompello fort on tho railway. An immediate- counter-attack recaptured tho fort and restored the position. Twenty-throe enemy aeroplanes were brought down and fourteen badly damaged in the fighting on Friday. Our scouts reconnoitred tho enemy movements day and night. Our squadrons attacked with machine-guns marching German troops, inflicting heavy losses. The bombing squadrons on the day and night of Friday dropped sixty-six tons of projectiles on troops, convoys, stations, and aerodromes."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Renter.

London, Juno 2, 4.25 p.m. A French official communique states: "Between Vierzy and the Ourcq the enemy gained possession of Longpont, Corey, Faverollcs, and Trosnes, which, however, we reoocupicd by a counter-attack. On the Marne the Germans reached the heights west of Chateau Thierry. We hold the part of the town situated on the left (south) bank. Violent fighting occurred in the neighbourhood of tho road from Dormans to Reims, which the Germans crossed slightlv south of OiizyViolane and at Ville-en-Tardenois. Thero is no change on tho Reims front. The German pressure continues to be intonso on the front botween the Oiae and the

Marne. Extremely violent enemy attempts were mack' in the region of the northern outskirts of Carlepont Wood, south of Noyon, mul Moulin-sous-Touvent but woro checked. Our troops throw back tho enemy to tlio north of Moulin-'sous-Touvent. Mont do Choisy, after four attacks, was taken by tho Germans. Wfl recaptured it at the point of tho bayonet, and retain possession."—Aus.-N.Z. Cab!e Assu.-llouter. - (Bee. Juno 31 8.30 p.m.) L . ,„„, , ... London, June 3, n.is a.m. A Fronch communique sta.es: -the battle continues, especially from north of tho Ourcq to tho Marne, vhero the, enemy has made his main efforts. Our troops withstood the. shock of the ommiy s forces with obstinate bravery. The enemy succeeded in regaining possession ot laveralles, but his attacks on Core-,- and •Troesncs failed. Our attacks west of i\ouilly drove back the enemv on Passy'-en-Vabois. Wo retook Hill 163, immediately west of that point, after desperate fighting. Partner south of tho rorcy-Bouresehes front two successive enemv attacks were broken on the right. We recapUred Champlatam and gained ground in the direction of Ville-cn-rardenois. The situation elsewhoro is uu-changed."-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eeuter. ON THE BRITISH FRONT (l London, June 2. Sir Douglas Haig reports: The Londoners mado a successful raid at night south-east of Arras. There hostile artillery action this morning at Villers Brctonneux and \pres, and ;m tho front between Albert and Arras."-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eeuter. (Kflc. June 3, 8.30 p.m.) ' London, June 2. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "There is only reciprocal artillery tiring along different sectors of the British front to report. '-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eeuter. THE GERMAN REPORT (Rec. June 3, 5.30 p.m.) London, June 3, 0.15 a.m. A' wireless Germau official report states: "Despite violent resistance south-east of Noyon, wo pressed back the enemy to the wood which extends from Carlepont and Montague. We captured the heights east of Moulin-sous-Touvent and the lines west of Nouvron. We attacked astride the Ourcq, throwing tho enemy back over the Savieres sector, and capturing the heights at Passy and Courchanips. Tho situation on the Marne is unchanged. We repulsed violent French counter-attacks north and east of Verneuil, astride the Ardre, and captured an enormous FrancoAmerican depot near Fere-en-Taidenois."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reutor.

COMMENTS ON THE SITUATION

VAST OPEN BATTLE FOR PARIS

London, June 2. The German right, turn along the Marno and tho rapid advance between Chateau Thierry and Chaudin are accepted in Paris and London as meaning that a vast open battle for Paris must soon be fought. It is indisputablo that the Crown Prince has led unceasing reinforcements in a paroxysm of effort. The Germans mado a considerable advance to-day, making it a matter of oidy a few hours when a most critical battle with the Allied reserves will be fought. Commentators in Paris are grimly confident. They agree that tho Allies will moet the offensive by an offensive as they did in tho Battle of tho Marno. Tho "Matin" anticipates thnt this will take place ,on tho Montdidier-Compiegne-Chateau Thierry front. Tho newspapers do not minimise tho seriousness of tho situation, but are confident that the German hammer-blows will prove a. costly failure. They point out that, in spite of tho most violent effort, tho enemy i's no nearer Paris, while gloomy predictions regarding Reims have remained 'unfulfilled, although the Germans have thrown a semi-circlo of fire round it. M. Marcel Hutiu writes that the Crowa Princo is receiving an unlimited number of fresh troops, but our reserves are also arriving. The developments of the next forty-eight hours will show whether tho German enterprise is a mad one. General Pctnin, in a stirring order, concludes: "May Hie Battlo of tho Marno begin as it did four years ago." Correspondents declare that tho French retreat from tho Ailctlo was a skilful manoeuvre, carried out with the smallest losses—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn

LATER COMMENT IN FRANCE

NO ATTEMPT YET TO CKOSS THE MARNE.

London, June 2. French comments dated 3 p.m. state that most desperate fighting continues between the Ourcq and tho Murne. Tho enemy is constantly throwing'in fresh picked divisions and tho maximum of his artillery resources, to compensate for his extremely heavy losses. The British and French are'making a supremo effort to secure a halt, and the density of the Allied reserves is increasing At several points fighting is marked by tho greatest tenacity and valour. Tlie"oiiDmy is in a strong position between Dormaus and Chateau Thierry, but lias not yet attempted to cross the Marne, the bridges over which liavo been destroyed. A later message, dated 10 p.m., says tho enemy has made progress west of Chateau Thierry, along the valleys of the Marno and the Ourcq.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Beuter;

THE REAL GERMAN OBJECTIVE: FOOTS RESERVES

GENERAL MAURICE'S VIEW OF THE SITUATION,

r , ~r . ~., London, Juno 2. „„„ , , M|UII ' ICC ' military correspondent of the "Daily Chronicle," writes--Iho battle, which began as a rapid drive to the southward, has chained to a fierce struggle to the west, on the forty-mile line from Chateau Thierry to Noyoii. There has been plenty of time to destroy tho Marne bridges, and the river constitutes a considerable obstnelo here, as it runs through a pronounced gorge. It would bo a most difficult military operation to forco tho passage of the river with troops exhausted by hand-to-hand fighting and long marches in face of fresh reserves; but the river constitutes « valuable .screen for tho left flank of tho enemy's advance south-westward towards Paris. Tho enemy's progress is slowor, but ho is still gaining ground. The Crown Princo must be getting to the end of his. share of the.reserves, and the further development of tho battle upon any largo scale depends upon whether Von Hindenburg will allow the Crown Princo to call on Princo Eupprecht's reserves, or whether Prince Rupprecht will make a fresh attack on another part of tho front. The real German objective is noilher Paris nor Reims, but General Foch's reserves. The situation is grave, but General Foch is fully alive to its gravity, and is still nursing his reserves for tho crisis of the battle."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FOCH POINTS THE WAY TO WAR STUDENTS ~'.„,.- ' Pa|, ' s > June 2. Deputy Daubing)', n member of the Army Commission, has returned from the front. General Foch told him: "The offensive on March 21 required from eight to ton days to re-establish tho situation. Tho present offensivo began on Monday, and this is the sixth day. Draw your own conclusion." This is interpreted lis meaning that General Foch reckons that hi a few days the enemy will be stopped and the situation re-established.—Renter. OPINION IN AMERICA Washington, Juno 2. General G. T. M. Bridges (head of tiie British Mission), commenting on the situation on tho West front, said that the American troops had become a vital factor in the great battle, aud may hold the balance between defeat and victory. "Tho objectives of the Germans," he said, "appear to be threefold—to capture Paris, to separate the Allied armies by a drive through Amiens, and to capture the Channel ports. We must now expect tho resumption of the offensive in the north soon or tbo withdrawal of German divisions from thero to exploit the now successes to the south. Tho battlo is likely to continuo for weeks, and to becomo a struggle of man-power." Army men are confident that the German drivo will stop at tho Marne. They disbelieve that tho enemy will soriously attempt to cross the.river, and expect that tho Germans will attempt, lo straighten tho lines from the Marno to Amiens and Reims. There aro sonic suggestions that important events on tho part of tho Allies aro impending. A British high official says: "The situation has not yet reached a crisis. Before the autumn we .will survivo a moro critical period, and suffer oven greater losses, but it will not change the ultimate decision." French military officials aro optimistic. STRAIN RELAXED, BUT PUBLIC MOST ANXIOUS (Rec. June 3, 7.25 p.m.) London, June 3. The latest telegrams from Pnris show that tho strain is relaxed, although tho public is still most anxious. The peoplo have faith in General Foch and in tho quality of tho French reserves, although the thrust towards Paris is obvious. Tho scenes in tho city recall tho earliest days of the war. Peoplo crowd the newspaper kiosks, ana gather round readers in the streets who have been fortunate to secure a late edition'. Tho general belief is that the German thrust towards the Marne is less serious than tho drivo westwards between .Soissons and Chateau Thierry towards tho Oise. Tho battlefield now forms a vast triangle, with its apex pointing to Chateau Thierry, with Dormans on the cast side, running thirty miles to Reims on tho same side, and fifty miles from tho Oise near Noyon to Marne on the west side. The ground between tho Oise, the Marno, and tho Ourcq is characterised by a wealth of woodland, tho innumerable small copses offering an excellent camouflage for troops. Whole armies can easily bo hidden from the aviators by tho trees, and therefore tho battleground offers lino opportunities for surprise attacks and resistance.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. BATTLE PLAN CHANGED (Rec. June 3, 9.10 p.m.) London, June 3. Mr. Hilaire Belloc says: "Since March 22 the enemy's scheme for a rapid victory has changed from a siuglo topographical strategio plan to a general effort to destroy the Allied armies, dissolve their organisation, and shako the civilian and military moral by weight of rapid blows, the exact position of which is less important than the cumulative effect of shock upon shock. The enemy never forgets that his great success has l>;en tho disintegration of tho civilian moral in Russia, and ho hopes to achio', ■> similar results on the West. It is our business to disappoint him,"— Cable Assu. THE WAR IN THE AIR (Roc. June 3, 10.2,5 p.m.) London, June 3. Sir Douglas Haig's aviation report r.lates: "The lino weather on June 1 enabled much observation work to he done. We brought down twenty-one German aoroplaues aud drove down four out of control. Pour of tho British 'planes are missing. Wo dropped twenty tons of bombs on the Zeebruggo mole and the railways at Armentieres, Rosieres, Busigny, t-'lers, and other targots. Our long-dis-tance bombing aeroplanes heavily attacked the enemy's railwavs at ICurlhnus and Motz-Sablons. One of tho British machines is missins. The night of Juno 1 was misty. Wo dropped five tons ofbombs on targots in the Somme Valley. All our machines returned."—Aus.-N.Z, Cable Asan.-Iteuter.