BATTLE ON FIFTY-MILE FRONT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 256, 17 July 1918, Page 5

BATTLE ON FIFTY-MILE FRONT

SPLENDID RALLY BY THE AMERICANS GENERAL FOCH WELL SATISFIED WITH THE SITUATION The High Commissioner reports:— .-n i ■ 1 London, July ]5, 3n m A French official report states :-"The Germans attacked this mornin" from Chateau lluorry as lar as Main do Massiges (the "Hand of Massiges") Wo energetically resisted on 80 kilometres of front (50 miles)."— BITTER FIGHTING AT CHATEAU THIERRY SMART RECOVERY BY THE AMERICANS. Br Megrapli-Preßß Association-Copyright. mi rr ■, i n , , New York, July 15. llio Urn ted Press Agency s correspondent at Paris states that tho' Germans are violently attacking on a fifty-mile front from west of Chateau Thierrv to cast of Reims. There is bitter lighting, especially at Chateau Thierrv. The 'Germans crosscd tho Marno at three plaees-at Mezy, La Brettoiimero 'Farm and Jaulgonne—by throwing pontoons across tho river under fierce fire. The Ameri- ' cans (fuickly recovered tho ground at Chateau Thierrv, and forced the enemy back half a milo beyond his original line.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Aesn, THE ENEMY'S GAINS-SITUATION SATISFACTORY (Rcc. Jub 16, 7.25 p.m.) mi /•, , , London, July 15. n45 n m , The Germans have penetrated to a depth of fivo thousand yards west 'of Eeims and captured Chezy, south of Chateau Thierry. They have also captured Avocourl: and Chaumuzy. An attack cast of Keims was stopped in ho French back positions after tho capture of Brenley. The situation there is mi isfactory. The total length of front attacked is fifty-fivo miles. ' ProSblv siS German divisions are engaged.—Router. u,Jf GENERAL FOCH WELL SATISFIED ~~ ] STATEMENT IN BRITISH PARLIAMENT. J . (Roc. July 16, 7.50 p.m.) ' 1 Mr. Bonar Law. in the House of Commons, anZuMed "'that' 'jlr Lloyd ! Ueorge was m telephonic communication with General 7<Y>ph Thmr ix«a if * that General Foeh was well satisfied with the X KLtlta ( Germans attacked 9 n eighty kilometres of front (50 miles), and penetrated we t ' ar/e ;!.5 G ; -» »*»•» ; . t COMMENT ON THE SITUATION ! "GERMANY'S LAST DESPERATE EFFORT.'' Tho United Press correspondent states that military officers regard the drive as Germany's last desperate attempt. They believe that Ger many will push on the offensive, regardless of losses, but are confidnnf will not reach her objectives.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. confident she will CHANGE IN THE CHARACTER OF THE FIGHTING ' a DEFENSIVE AREA ECHELONED AND DEEPENED. « London, July 15. t The ' Daily Chronicle" correspondent at Paris states that there is a deep a change in the character of the fighting on tho Western front. Botli sides enjoy the shelter of flic old trench systems in t'ie front line, but tho prodigious fieldworks which typified the. Hindenburg line have been abandoned by both sides. Instead of the old ditches and dug-outs, which tho aviators easily mapped" and which the massed batteries-of heavy guns wiped out, both sides have introduced a method of defence colled "echelonment in depth." The defensive front has 0 become an area ten miles in depth, of winch the most advanced positions are held ii lightly by scattered machine-gun posts and little forts, the middle parts by the > main bodies, and the rear by tho reserves. Wo have learnt much from the enemy m tho last three months, but von Ludendorff's latest invention has this ■'! weakness, that it proceeds by spasms While the best German' divisions are •') being trainod for the next onset, inferior units are placed in the front line of 2 which we are easily masters— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ' THE HOPE OF I IKLY VICTORY SIGNIFICANT PHRASES FROM HIGH PLACES. ■ , Paris, Julv 15. M. Poincare, in his Bastille Day message lo the American forces, snvs:— "For four years the gallant British, French, and Belgian Armies have 'been lighting upon tho wasted soil of France aml Belgium for right and freedom. The , 5 splendid American Army now comes lo assinno a great part in the gigantic strug- t '~ gle. Wo have tho same aims, the same resolution, lo pursue the war with (lie best of our strength until common victory frees the world from German domination. United and determined, wo will attain our end, and will soon celebrate n together tho dcliveraneo of Hip nations and reparation for violated rights." General Joffre, in his message, says:-"Wo all feel that the moment ap- N proaches when tho defeat of Germany will allow all tho frco nations to celebrate tho independence of tho world." ai It is significant that both messages contain phrases indicating that an early D victory is expected.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. I D