GREATEST BATTLE OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 226, 12 June 1918, Page 5

GREATEST BATTLE OF THE WAR

■ ■ ; — y. IMMINENT STRONG ANII-BGLSHEVIK AGITATION What is described as the greatoet battle of the war has now • reached its full intensity on the Western front from Noyon to Montdidier. The enemy's plan of battle is now more clearly denned,'but his hopes of Teaching Paris are no nearer realisation, for the Allies are defending their lino with desperate valour; and compelling tho enemy to pay dearly for every yard cf advance. The losses on the enomy'e Bide have been staggering. Comments on tho situation are more or less well guarded, but the general trend of opinion is that .the situation, though still , , serious, is being gallantly met. Great' events are impending in Russia, where a strong anti-Soviet movement is attaining widespread activity. A How at the power of the Bolsheviki is expected at any time. Evon amongst the workers there is a growing revulsion of feeling against Ihe Soviet methods of government, the glamour of which is fading before the material evidences of its incornpetency—starvation and German oppression. , DESPERATE STRUGGLE .IN THE WEST ENEMY'S PROGRESS SLOW'AND COSTLY PLAN OF GREAT BATTLE NOW DEFINED By Telegraph-Press Aoaoclation-Copyrigiit. • fltec. June 11, 7.M p.m.) «rf e^ eWS i frOm A he battlefr<mt continues to be most satisfactory, "in spite mS (f Kt t e ,.TJ has oulr SUMee<le d in penetrating our positions to ?£. 3° f fr i"? ha V t0 torewmariew of aluile - Sis chief success wm in pi ? aSSI -7°/' where thß German 3 are making a fierce thrust for the Bellinelise Plateau. Their generai purpose is to avoid the forest fitting and \illen Cotterofs. where tlie French-and American defendPrW rtready taken a huge toll of th« attackers, and brought the Crown on rUSt v Wal T dß , Pa i ,s ff ° a standstill. . with the advance wtfWK ' t new move represents a vast encircling project, £ }-}H P P<KB ° f French and Americans within tho jaws If a pair tfiln tL^r 6 "' Ger , m, !J! s beUp J en Montdidiw and Noyon had no advanfl"n P i'fs - ■■l^? u sh-ihey.md i ne v eta Oietta.. the heroic French fiincbed Five German divisions have already been withdrawn, in?™ ™™ S launch . ed ft, °"}.a-ridge 320 feet hi K U around AsMnvillers and Oγ-™-tt,in Th . eene , m y forced h ls into the ho)W t, t faUed t }t » Ew™ lop Vr?. rdß the Platm of , lolTron Mht- M<l is 6 «11 Pinned in tho detSl l , hp w G . erlMns jy e r<lfreely more successful on the right wing between Lassijnj and Noyon There they carried tho isolated knoll of Pelmont but Trore stopped before the French strong point at Thiescourt Wood Dominated by the Franch Fire. 'Here again the enemy remains in the hollow dominated bv the French fire frora a of 250 feet. The only Gorman success was on the Koye-Senljs Bondl where a few filtered forward for three miles astride the valley of tho Jlatz which; however, is swept on all tides by the French guns. Von Hutier, who is directing the latest German thrust, is the pioneer of the new tactics He had six weeks in which to prepare since the stoppage of his March offensive, but the arrest of Von Bochni's army before the forest of Villers Cotterets forced Von Hnticr to act This time he has not attempted to secure with scrupulous eecrecy the concealment of his troop movements i The French ' command, for revoral days hud been aware of exceptional traffic by convoys, and the suspicious activity of tho enemv's batteries , in the correction ot ranges otherwise fnnnlkv. Von Hutier's tactied were repealed; including the use of slock maohine-guirs, machine rilles, and efforts to effect a local breach in the Allied line, leaving the task of cleaning up the "islands of resistance" to the support troops, while the shock battalions went en to exploit the ea-r.y successes If Von Hutier .is able to push down to Compiegne, the Germans will probably bring their .front ~o the line of the Aisue, within forty males of Paris, for a filial thrust towards the cap"ital.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GREATEST BATTLE OF THE WAR IS RAGING {Rec. June 11, 10 p.m.) The greatest battle of the war is raging. • The Allies are supremely confident flw Germans are. deeply engaged at MonMidier. It is hinted that Foch is about to launch ,his counter-blow.—Aus.-N.Z. ,(Me Assn. (Kec. June 11, 11.15 p,m.) Eeuter's correspondent at Frenoh Headquarters writes:-"Tho ""battle 6 iteuter w,abftted ' fur y along.tho entire front. , The wings are holding."IN THE RECENT DARK DAYS SIGNS.OF PREPARATIONS FOR LEAVING PARIS. /Rec. June 11, 8.45 p.m.) • During the recent dark days rumours were general that evacuated Ox wagons, piled with household goods, were frequently seen in the 6 ?tt IVaS m ° Te , caloulated t0 SQnko tho city's nerves than the signs of the flight of farmers and peasants, yet Paris has stood firm. Most of the rich have departed, and soon only the real Paris, grimly planning to sell life dearly will be left. The peop.e know what the fat,e of their beloved city will be if the gates aro opened. Tho Kaiser would -attempt to force peace upon the terror-strfeken French by.the devastation of tho capital, quarter by quarter.-"The Times™ THE,DEFENCE OF PARIS. M. Clemenceau, the Premier, assured the deputies for fhTn'ril* bourhood that the newly-formcd Defence Committee was compVetinf its pr pS Aesn the city would be defended to tho last suburb.-Aus.-N.il Cable (Roc. Juno 11, 8.15 p.m.) M. Clemonceau assured the Seine deputies that nothing would bo reflected to protect the capital, but it was not considered that the menace was lifelv fo develop—"The Times." J THE OFFICIAL REPORTS FRIGHTFUL LOSSES INFLICTED ON THE GERMANS. London, June 10 i r> m A French official communique states;— The German drive continued last night,'with tho same desperation. On our left wing violent attacks were renewed several times, and were shattered by our nre and counter-attacks. Courcellet which was captured and recaptured, remains in our possession. On ourriirlit we held on south and east of Ville, which has been bitterly disputed. Wo took over 500 prisoners in these actions. In the centre the enemy succeeded bv usini: new forces, in reaching the southern outskirts of Cuvilly, Hessons-sm-Wtis ana the plateau to the west. Further east, fighting continues in the Thiescourt Wood Prisoners unanimously state that the battle has hitherto cost tho attacking units' enormous losses. North of the Aiane, the artillery duel is somewhat livefv Wo concluded the local operations undertaken last evening east of Haute Blavc We took 150 prisoners between the Ourcq and tho Marne. We repulsed several it tacke cast of Vinly. Continuing their progress in the reßion of Buasieree French and American units gained ground, and captured 250 prisoners and 30 machine guns. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eeuter. CRcc. June 11. 9.10 p.m.) " London, June 11, 1.30 a.m. A French' communique states:—"During tho second day of the offenslvo tliu enemy sought by powerful attacks, unceasingly strengthened by new effectives to advance in the direction of Estires, St. Donis, and fiibecourt. Our troops resisted tenaciously. The enemy captured by repeated assaults, at the cost or heavy sacrifices, the villages of Nery Kelloy uiid St. Maur. Heroic combats occurred on the Plateau' Belloy, south of fiessons-sur-Matz, The enemy gained a footing at MaTqueglise. Farther east the battle continues on the southern outskirts of Elincourt. On the right the enemy succeeded in debouching from tho'Hois do Thiescourt.. On the left, between Coutcelles and Rubescourt, wo broke tha enemy's attacks, holding our positions, liasl of the Oise a German atteteofc to «i£ia Bdmont Mfld."-»AnB..N.Z I Cable A66n,-Benter, ■ p °

ON THE BRITISH FRONT

London, June 10. Sir Douglas Haig rcports:-"Wo successfully raided a Gorman post in the sector north-east of Bethune, and repulsed nn attack in tho evening on a post in Aveling Wood."-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Heuter. (Eec. Juno 11. 10.20 p.mj ■ London, June iO, 10.20 p.m. bir Douglas Haig reports :—"There is nothing to report except reciprocal artillery firing on various sectors."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Pvouter. AMERICANS IMPROVE THEIR POSITION (Rec. June 11, 10.30 p.m.) London, June 10. An American communique states: "Xorth-west of Chateau Thierry, co-oper-ating with tho French, we again imnroved our position and- inflicted losses. Our patrols crossed the Marne and successfully reconnoitred hostile positions."-Aus.-JJ.Z. Cable Assn.-Eeuter. THE GERMAN REPORT (Eec. June 11, 7.45 p.m.) London, June 10. A wireless German omcial report states s "Our attack penetrated tho hilly district south-westward of Noyon. We capturc.l the French positions westward of tho Matz, near Mortemer and Orvillew; and advanced beyond Cuvilly and Eicquebourir. Wo' fought through tho Kicquebaurf; ami La Ifotta Woods, and threw back the eneriiy beyond Bourmont and Marcuil. We penetrated far into the Thiescourt Wood, in the neighbourhood of Lassigny, and took eight thousand prisonere.'—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Keuter. THE WAR IN THE AIR (Eec. June 11, 7.45 p.m.) London, June 10. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—"Our air squadrons, co-operating with tho Frenchworked on the A'oyon-Uontdidier front continually from dawn till dusk on June 9. The bombing aeroplanes impeded tho enemy's advance, and harassed his troops and transport with constant mocntoc-Eun fire, while strong patrols of scout machines swept the battle area throughout tho day, high-fliers protecting them. The targets hit included au aerodrome near Uoye, where aeroplanes were sot on fire unon the ground, an ammunition clhiud at iMontdidier, which burst into flames, and also teams, wagons, infantry in the trenches. auf\ on tho roads along and behind the whole of the fkhtlng lino. On the British front one of our , artillery aeroplanes forced a German two-seater to land and surrender. We brought down fourteen others, and drove down four not under control. Four British 'planes are missing."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Keuier. I 1 THE FRENCH REPORT. . (Rec. June-11, 10 p.m.) London, June 10. A French omcial report states: "Our airmen brought down eleven of ihn enemy's aeroplanes. Our bombing machines intervened in the battle and immediately attacked the enemy's troops, which were massed behind the front for attack. Eighteen tons of projectiles weie dropped on the enemy convoys ami railway stations. A great fire followed on explosion at Roye railway station." —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eeutor. ENORMOUS DAMAGE DONE. (Rec. June 11, 8.45 p.m.) Paris. June 10. ■ The "Hcho de Paris," referring to the Anglo-French aerial activities in destroying the enemy's lines of communication, say?:—"A single attack recently caused a hundred trucks of sheila and numerous ammunition dumps to explode at the station at Longwyon. A' single German chasing squadron lost in one.night sixty airmen and practically all its machines, while cantonments full of trosps received as much as twenty tons of explosives in two hours.—Eeuter. LATEST NEWS-GERMAN CENTRE FURTHER ADVANCED (Rec. Juno 12, 1.15 a.m.) London, J-unc 11, 0.30 a.m. The Germans have further advanced their centre two miles.—"The Times." COMMENT ON THE SITUATION "THE LATEST REPORTS ARE ENCOURAGING" (Eec. June 11, 8.45 p.m.) London, June 10. 11 a.m. Reuter's correspondent, writing from French Headquarters on Sunday evening, says:—"The latest reports from the battlefield aro encouraging. The French are fighting with great bravery and tenacity on the richt and left of the battle area. The enemy, despite his powerful efforts, 'was unable to progress beyond the advanced positions, technically called the covering zone, which were swept by the fire from his flame-throwers. In the centre the Germans succeeded in cutting an obtuse salient out of our lino, with its farthest point at Rcspous-siiv-Atatsi. Their uain consists at best of ground twelve hundred yards deep, which they were able to batter with their heavy trench artillery. There is nothing diecouraging about the results of the first day's fighting. , Tho enemy's method of attack was the same as on Al.irch 27, namely, u heavy gas bombardment'for four and a half houra, followed by an attack in closely-massed formations in great strength, with the object of swamping our lino before tho defenco organisation could take effect. Tho denseness of the enemy's formation was greater than in the previous attacks. His losses must havo l>een extraordinarily heavy, for the guns had him at their mercy, and did terriblo execution. Several anxious days arc ahead, for it is certain the enemy will make an extremely bitter fight for it; but he is paying the full price for every kilometre."—Reutcr. The Battle-ground Described. , Writing on June 10, Renter's corrwpondent; says: "The scene of tho latest offensive is tho wooded hilly country <1i.5» cted by (he river Matz, which, flowing south, joins the Oise at Montinac. Tho c-Miny's principal progress yesterday was along tho course of the Matz, his first object being probably to reach the Oise, and thereby tako in flank the whole Frerch salient north of the Oiso, which might result: in oor withdrawal to tho south bank. Supposing the enemy's objective to be Paris, ho would naturally't.giri by thrusting ft powerful tentacle eouth-westward down the Oise Valley ard another westward from the Onrcq line, thereby encircling the vast mass of !he Aigle, Compeigne, and Villers Cotterets forests. These, being impregnable to a frontal-attack, tho enemy probably intends to pass to the north and the sontji thereof,- bringing his'tentacles to-Rothc-r. This plan is over-ambitious and impossible of accomplishment, and soon its impossibility will be realised. The' enemy's efforts will probably be directed at Amiens or Calais. Meanwhile Ids battalions are being depleted by tho constant fighting from Noyon to Chateau. Thierry, and from Verineuiil to Reims, and his reserves of manhood are declining. Out of two hundred prisoners taken in the first few days of June over one-fourth belonged to the 1919 class, and tho class for 1920 has made its appearance on the battlefield. Among the prisoners captured at Bligny a considerable proportion were lads of this class.—Heater. Prolonged and Desperate Struggle in View, Writing on the afternoon ot June 10. Reuter's correspondent says :— "Throughout the night and mornin» the battle raged along the now front of the attack with nnabated fury. On the winss the enemy is still held on practically the same line, despite his persistent, reckless attempts to puah forward on the extreme Tight of Plemont. Although almost in our first line, we aro still holding out, the French garrison having beaten off successive waves of German infantry. Mont Renaud is still onrs. In th • centre of the battlefield the enemy, by pouring in fresh battalions, penetrated deeper into our lines. The fighting was of tho • bloodiest character. Tho French and the Germans are fighting hand-tn-hand over the ruins of every hamlet aiid farm. The enemy's loss has been extraordinarily heavy. This time tho element of surprise was absent. Tho enemy's dense masses taye been ciposed to the fire frora onr machine-guns and artillery for tho past thirty-six hours. Tho Germans had to assemble behind their lines under our counter-preparution fire, which has been sweeping the Gorman rear'for three days. Before the battle tho enemy had from eighteen to twonty divisions in the attacking-lme, tho divisional front being two - tnousand yards bohind the line, and his reserves are ready to replace tho shattered divisions. A prolonged and desperate strusglo muet be anticipated. There is ako the possibility of meeting the ehock of Von Hindenburg's disposable reserves before the enemy breaks off, the battle. Tne enemy, instead of sweeping on loriously as in the fight in. the days of the Aisne' battle, is advancing painfully yard by yard, paying the full price- for every step of advance. Hie main effort Is still in the centre, towards the Oise, his object being the turning of tho salient. Wo hold in his lino with the apex at Pont Leveqne, on tho Oise. anil coniDrising Carlepont and Ourscamp Forest, in an angle in the bend of the river."-Reu-ter. ENEMY'S SHALLOW ENTHUSIASM HAS FADED „ _ „ . ... ' ' London, June 10. Mr. George Perns, writing to tho "Daily Chronicle," states:-"A new phase of the German offensive opened this morning on a front of twenty miles between Montdidier and Noyon. The artillery preparation, which is again rich in gas shells, began at midnight, and covered not only the front, but a deep zone behind, especially the villages and roads, where the enemy thought to catch local reserves. There aie evident reasons for his choice of this sector, particularly its central part, for a successful push south along the Roye-Compiegno railway would add another converging road to the four roads to Paris—namely, by tho Oiso, Aisne. Ourcq, and Marne Valleys— which he has already tried. On the other hand, the enemy could not reasonably hope for a surprise such as at St. Quentin and the Chemin des Dames. The French are Tcsistin» dog«edly in their covering positions, which are beyond the range of the mine-throwers. Evidence has accumulated of the heaviness of the German losses in the recent fHitihg and tho disappearance of the shallow enthusiasm with which the offensive "began. Wo continue to have the best of local sections ckowhore."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. DEVELOPMENTS DIFFICULT TO FORECAST London, Juno 10. The Horning Posts correspondent at tho French front writes:—"lt is ridiculous to forecast the development of the new' German offensive, Jmt it ixw bo said that the Germans' attacking line, wnich is strong in itself, is also easily accessible by the French reserves; Tho enemy is pursuing his old principle of delivering hammer-blow 9 on two adjacent salients, the apex points being Sfontclidier and the line held on tho Marne. Unquestionably ho hopes to secure a position from which to effectively bombard Paris, believing ho can by pressure on Paris force a conclusion to tho war before America can throw in her weight, but at present there is no, reason for fear. The section will bo vicloriousl;-"dc-fended. German Division Nearly Every Two MIIcJ. Tho United Press Agenejr correspondnt states:—"The Germans attacked with an average density of a division ever? two kilometres (1 1-5 miles), concentrating their fiercest efforts along the Mntz Valley, with the object of reaching th« Oiso in the vicinity of Compiegne. The French are putting up the sliliMt resistance, and the fighting is likely to continud for several days. The French, owing to heavy artillery concentriijion, inflicted the severest losses. Tho encmys attack apparently constitutes the northern arm of a vast encirclius protect, coordinating with u southern enveloping nH:vck, starti'is; at Chateau Thierry, wiiii a -view lo pushing nearer Paris, and seeking to onvelop the French and American troops between Monldidiur and Chateau Thierry."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. , WHAT THE JAPANESE ARE SAYING Tokio, Juno 10. While the lesser newspapers comment jrloomily on the German oli'ensive, tliu better-informed journals have the utmost confidence in tho Allies' strategy. Tho "Nichlhichj" declares that the Allies' tactics are unexceptionable. It is 'clearly their duty to await developments of, America's strength. Tho participation of America removes all doubt as to the outcome of the war.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Asm.

FRENCH SOCIALIST VIEW: "FIGHT ON!"

3lcc. Juno 11, 8.45 p.m.) Paris, Juno 10. M. Brunet, a Socialist deputy, in an article in tlio "Matin," summarises the Jjabour point of viow, and says: "The long-range bombardment might arrest our industrial life and munition work, but tho Government must not be. paralysed by the fear of sacrificing non-combatants. Peace will bo impossible as long as Germany seeks victory. Our duty is to iisfbt, to subordinate everything to this determination. Following General Gallioni's example, Paris will be made- the great pivot of the French resistance."—"Tho Times." [General Gnllioni v/ne Military Governor of Paris during the crisis of 1911, and by his prompt and resourceful initiative in sending reinforcements to the hard-pressed line, at that time falling back perilously near to the capital, materially assisted in the developments which culminated in the victory of theInrne. He subsequently became I'rench Minister of War, but his health began to fail, and died amid widespread regret and covered with honours.] FIFTY GERMAN DIVISIONS STILL IN RESERVE 'Rec. Juno 11, 8.4! i p.m.) London, Juno 10. Mr. GeTald Campbell writes in the "Daily Mail":—"lt would be mad folly jo build extravagant speculations upon the evidence of henvy German losses. It is better to keep an eye steadilr on th« solid fact that there are fifty enemy divisions still in reserve."—United Service. GERMAN OPINION "TEE INVINCIBLE GERMAN ARMY." Amsterdam, June in. Herr von Fehrenbaeh, the new Pres'dent of the Ifcichstns, declared that tho climax of the war was imminent. He ridiculed the idea that the Americans were turning the scales in favour of the Allies. Could anybody imagine, he said, tho invincible German Army, which had defeated the greatest armies, of Europe, with the addition of Canadians, Australians, and Asiatics, retreating before the Americans? ■ ' , ' Herr yon Payer (Imperial Vic-Charcellor), in an interview with tho Vienna paper "Nieue Freio Presse," said that after tho war European peace would remain in the hands of Austria and Germany, and it would be in good hands.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. OVER 700,000 AMERICAN TROOPS SENT TO PRANCE . i Washington, June 10. Mr. N. D. Baker has announced that the United States hns sent more than 700.000 troops to France. The War Department announces thnfc there have been 7315 casualties since the American forces entered tho war, including 2927 deaths.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn,

DEMONSTRATION ON THE BRITISH FRONT

London , , June 10. '■ -Mr. Phillip Oibbs -writes: "The Germans fiercely bombarded icveml sectors between Villers Bretonneux and Arras. The bombardment reached its oxtrmno violence westward of Albert and the valley of the Scarpe, about Telegraph Hill. Gune of nil calibres participated, with periods of ptas-ehelliug oeninst our batlory positions. The- bombardment seemed to indicate tho possibility of heavy attacks, but nono followed, which proved that it was nothing more than a demonstration of gun-power, coinciding with .tho battle against tho French."—Aws.N.Z. Cab* Assn. ■ •

RUSSIAN EQUIPMENT IN THE GERMAN LINES

(E«c. June 11, 8.45 p.m.)

London, June 10. The "Times" correspondent states that vast quantities of Russian equipment—hundreds of horses, Ihousands of guns, and millions o£ shells—which tho Bolsneviki sold at ridiculous prices are appearing in France.— "T'ue Times."