THE GERMAN OFFENSIVE IN THE CHAMPAGNE
ON PRESENT EVIDENCE " A COMPLETE FAILURE " FRENCH BATTLE POSITIONS INTACT By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright. * , London, July 16, 2.35 p.m. The offensive remains held, anil attacks nearly everywhere have been repulsed ivith tho heaviest losses. East of Reims the front-lino entanglements were covered with German corpses. No British troops aro yet involved. Two enemy attacks were made with tanks at Souain and Prunay. At Primay a wood was captured; elsewhere the enemy was repulsed, and the line of resistance one or two miles behind the front trenches is everywhere intact. The French are, satisfied. Tho armies of von Below and von Boehrn avo continuing their assaults.- There are indications that this was intended to be the grand offensive, and not a diversion. Thirty divisions have been identified, mostly from Prince Ruppreeht's army. There are two main attacks west of Reims—ono down the Marno and the other south of Dormans. The enemy threw six bridges across the Manic between Dormans and Reuilly. A captured aeroplane map shows that tho main attack was down the Marne to Epernay. The French stopped tho enemy east of Reim? by gallant counter-attacks. At!) o'clock this morning the greatest depth of penetration was represented by a line through Souain, Prosnes, and Prunay. The enemy had advanced to a depth of three or four miles between Pourcy and Baval. Though tho opening bombardment was heavy, Reims itself was not shelled. Tho enemy crossed tho Marne at Dormans, Passy-sur-Marne, and Fossoy. The latest news contradicts tho capture of Cliezy, which tho French held at noon. Tho Germans gas-shelled Hie back areas heavily on the whole front to a depth of 18 miles—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ENEMY DRIVEN BACK BY THE AMERICANS. Washington, July Ifi. The Americans drove tho Germans across tho Marne in tho Fossoy. region. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ENEMY'S MAIN CARD STILL CONCEALED HIS PROGRESS TO DATE. (Rec. July 17, 7.25 p.m.) London, July IG. It will take three or four days to learn whether this is tho final German attack. There are indications that the German Staif has not yet shown its whole hand. Probably tho Germans themselves still do not know whether this attack has disclosed a weakness which will malco it desirable ,to launch a final attack. It is thus far certain that the attack is an attempt to capture Reims bv a converging operation from east and west, thus straightening tho German lino by linking the Marne salient with tho lino east of Reims. General Focli ltas always been prepared for this move, which has long been obvious. Probably sixty German divisions were engaged. If this bo so it suggests that this undoubtedly is their main offensive. They launched the first attacks between 4 and '1.30 a.m., while tho mist was hanging over tho Marne Valley, assistiug tho attack. Tho bombardment, which included gas shells, was most intense between Prunay and Massiges. It was reported at midday yesterday that the assaults everywhere had been held up fxcept on the Souain road, near Prosnes, and at Prunay. Tho, enemy westward of Reims by midday had advanced to a maximum depth of from two to three miles on a'front of twenty miles. The Germans failed to gain the high ground eastward of Reims, .whero tho maximum depth of the advance was a milo and a half. They crossed tho Marus in a heavy mist, over difficult ground, owing to. tho thick woods and deep gullies. There were adequate French reserves behind tho sectors.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. . ATTACKS ON THE BRITISH EXPECTED (Rec. July 1", 7.25 p.m.) London, July 10. Mr. Philip Gibbs is of opinion that Prince Rupert of Bavaria may bo ordored to mako a number of holding attacks against tho British, and strike a series of hammer blows with the object of keeping the British heavily engaged — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE OFFICIAL REPORTS Tho New Zealand High Commissioner reports:— London, July 16, 1.30 p.m. A French official report states: "The Germans are every whero held. There has beon intense fighting, with heavy onemy losses. The attack was not renewed last night." THE FRENCH COMMUNIQUE London, July IG, 1 a.m. A French communique states: "The German attack began about 1.30 a.m., and continued all day on both sides of Reims with unabated violence. West of Reims thero wcro furious struggles in the region of Reuilly, Orcourt, Chezy, and Vassy, south of the Marne, which tho enemy succeeded in crossing at some points between Fossoy and Dormans. A vigorous American counter-attack drove back to tho north bank enemy elements which had reached the southern bank west of Fossoy. Between Dormans and Reims the French and Italians aro tenaciously resisting on the line of Chatillon-sur-Marne, Cuchery, Marfaust, aiid Bouilly. East of Reims tho attack, which extended from Sillery to the Main do Massiges, encountered an impregnable defence. Tho enemy renewed his efforts against Prunay and Resmarquises, and in the regions north of Prosnes and Souain, but in spito of repeated attacks ho has been unablo to breach our fighting positions."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Router. (Rec. April 17, 10 p.m.) London, July IG, 1.10 p.m. A French official communique states: "The battle continued towards tho end of the afternoon and yesterday evening witli redoubled violence between Chateau Thierry and Reims. Tho enemy, accentuating his efforts to enlarge his gains, launched ruinous attacks. The fighting was particularly violent south of tho Marne, in tho region of Chatillon. Tho Franco-American troops resisted tho enomy magnificently, and counter-attacked vigorously on several occasions "South of the Marno tho Germans wcro unablo to pass a lino from St. Agnan, La Chapclle, Monthonon, to tho southern confines of tho Forest of Bouquigny. Wo took prisoner ono thousand, in this region. Wo hold Jlareuilsop, north of tho Marne. Wo held tho onemy at the southern approaches to Chatillon and the south-eastern borders of Rodemal. Wood. Thero is no appreciable change on tho rest, of tho line. The enemy mado no attempt during the night east of Reims. Tho Germans, exhausted by a fruitless ■ struggle yesterday, were unable lo pass beyond our cover zone, which rnr.s through Prunay, tho southern borders of tho woods northward of the Roman high road as far as the Suippe region, north of Souain and Perthes : les-Surlus. Our battle positions have, not been encroached upon anywhere. Prisoners report that tho German losses yesterday wero extremely high."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Router. THE GERMAN TIMIi-TABLE. (Rec. July 17, 7.25 p.m.) Paris, July 16, Semi-official: "Orders found on prisoners show that tho Germans expected to reach Epernay on the evening of July 15, Chalons-snr-Marno on July 16, and Sezanne on July 17. They employed from thirty to thirty-five divisions. Owing lo heavy losses the shock divisions, instead of being relieved in the evening, were sent back during tho morning to bo re-formed. Hundreds of German dead aro hanging ou our barbed wire, and numerous onemy tanks 6lreiv tlio ground."— Hauler,
AMERICAN REPORT London, July 10. An American official report, dated July 13, says: "Fast of Chateau Thierry, vrhero the enemy succeedcd iliis morning in Raining some ground, we counterattacked iind drove him buck to t.ho Marne, taking HOI) prisoners. In the Vosges five trench raids were attempted by tho enemy, but broke down."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. WHAT THE GERMANS SAY London, July 15. A German official roessago issued this ovenine states: "To (he south-west and east of Reims wo penetrated parts of tho Ivcnch positions. -Ans. : N.Z. Cnblo Assn.-Rcuter. A NEW ZEALAND RAID (Rec. Julv 17, 7.25 p.m.) , London, July 10. Sir Douglas Haig reports: '"L'ho New Zealnnders made a successful raid in the nei'-hbourhood of Hebuterne and took thirty prisoners and twelve machine-guns. •We slightly improved our lino on the Villers Brotonncux sector, after sharp f lighting. The hostile artillery is active south-eastward of Albert and somewhat active at different points on the northern British front."—Aus.-N.Z. (.able ( Assn.-Reutcr. DISPATCHES FROM THE CORRESPONDENTS . ATTACK ANTICIPATED BY THE FIIENCH BATTERIES. (Rec. July 17, 7.25 p.m.) London, July 111. Renter's correspondent at French Headquarters says that, tlie oilonsive was commenced by the French guns opening firo at midnight oil the whole iront from Chateau Thierry to the Main de Massiges ridges. The French had so correctly anticipated the enemy's purpose that they began their .artillery counter-prepara-tion one hour beforo the German batteries started their bombardment, lho infantry attacked at I! o'clock in the morning on the -whole lino except round Reims. Tho attack was compressed in two main sectors, one from Chateau Thierry to Vernenil and thence northward to tho west of Reims, tho other from Fort Pompelle, cast of Reims, to tho Main do Mnssigcs.—Router. The Attack East of Reims, The Australian Press Association correspondent, states that, the Germnns east of Reims attacked on a twenty-live-miie front, betwecu Prunay and Alaison de Champagne, but were brought to a standstill in tho French battle positions, where the situation seems satisfactory, although it is believed the enemy penetrated I'runay. Tho enemy also slightly advanced down the main highway ot tho Sonimepy-Souain road. Details of his progress are lacking. The in o '" thrnsl was apparently south-west of lteiins, where the advance was rapid. Ihe Germans crossed the Marne in ei number of places before 10 in the morning. The Germans apparently aim at isolating Reims,by attacking on both sides, and also hope to take the hills south of'the city, known as the ''Mountains of Reims,* which are regarded as most important positions, but their ultimate aim appears to be to break through'and 6eizc the Chalons railway... The hills "would , serve to protect his right flank in a further advanco to the south-west. It is not vet. certain whether this is the enemy's main blow, but circumstances indicate that it is. It.is known that the Germans havo prepared attacks at other , points, notably on tlje Amiens front.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. A Terrific Countcr-Fira, Tho "Morning Post's" Paris correspondent; 6ays: "The offensive has not met with anything like tho success achieved on tho first day of each of its four predecessors. If the Germans relied on tho element of surprise they were woefully disapDoinled. They bad no sooner begun their artillery preparation, than masses of Allied guns took up the challenge with such good effcct that there is reason to hope that the Germans suffered much more from.our counter-fire than, did our infautry from theirs. Tho violence of the Allies' reply may bo gauged from tho fact that the sound of the guns was never so distinctly heard in Paris before. The windows rattled in every part of the city. This did not happen during the three previous offensives, whon tho guns wero much nearer the eity. Cable Assn. The American Counter-Attack. Renter's correspondent at American Headquarter* in a dispatch dated Monday evening, says: "The Americans on tho river bend now command the river front, so the German plan here has been completely upset. A famous German division on the 'left bend attempted all day to cross. . All the assaults were withered under our fire, and not a singlo German crossed. The prisoners taken in the American counter-attack number between one thousand and fifteen hundred, including a complete' brigade staif. Tho Germans retired hesitatingly at first,' but soon many of them broko and ran. Within three hours the enemy had been driven back from the river. Tho American machine-gunners contributed most effectively to tho defeat of tho enemy's plans."—lteuter. idr. Philip Gibbs writes: "Apart' froin tho early ■ morning fog the weather was not favourable to tho enemy. A south wind prevented tho use ,of poison gas, and on the open moorlands in tho Champagne was likely to blow back tho fumes of tlicir own shells upon tho assailants.. The American counter-attack on the Marne, in which they took ono thousand prisoners, was a most brilliant episode. The Americans held a four-kilometre front, (about 2J miles) where the bombardment was tiio heaviest the Americans had ever been subjected to. It lasted ten hours, but they stuck it out without turning a hnir. The ferocity of tho American response, and tho machine-gun firo by tho infantry in tho counter-attack, drove tho Boches to tho river in such haste that many wero drowned while attempting to cross. Ono American artillery unit, ran short.jof ammunition, and called l'or volunteers to travel three miles of shell-swept road. Every man volunteered. A number of picked men drove lho horses and caissons at a gallop through tho shell-bursts. AVlien tho .horses wero killed tho men cut them out of tho harness and managed to bring up the ammunition."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. No Further Gains, Mr, Gerald Campbell reports: "There aro 110 further enemy gains. Our counter-attacks resulted in slight gains on tho Marne. The Germans admit tho severity of the resistance. They claim thirteen thousand prisoners."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. COMMENTS ON THE SITUATION V USUAL INFILTRATION TACTICS. Paris, July IG. Renter's correspondent at French Headquarters states that the enemy adopted no new methods. Ho advanced under cover of mist, and relied on his usual infiltration tactics, sending columns along tho small valleys. Tho Germans aro not. using anything like one division to tho milo as in previous attacks. Tho French Higher Command is most pleased with the situation. Tho latest reports at noon of July 15 show that on tlio Prunay : Massigos sector the olfensivo is held everywhere except at Prusnes. Tho enemy has occupied Prunay, which is half a mile bohind the line of attack. West of Reims, between Coloniines, and Fossoy, tho enemy made progress On a twenty-milo front on an avorago to a depth of two to three miles.- The maximum depth was threo miles and a half, at Belval and Comblezy—lteuter. "A COMPLETE FAILURE" (Rec. July 18, 0.15 a.m.) London, July IG. Router's correspondent at American Headquarters, writing on July 16, reports- "Tho whole battlefield indicates that, except in a few minor localities, the German offensive hitherto has been a complete failure. New prisoners say that they are convinced that they are beaten. An enemy carrier pigeon captured east of Chateau Thierry carried a message saying: "The situation is serious. There is no chance of making further progress in this locality." East of Reims early this morning, wo wero not only holding, up the enemy's attempts to advanco, but appear to' havo broken their spirit. At ono place hero our counter-attack drove tho enemy from a salient in the region of Fossoy. Wo improved our positions at night and drove the enemy across the river, taking prisoners."—Router. ENEMY'S MAIN OBJECTIVE NOT YET CLEAR London, July IG. General Maurice says: "In view of tho fact that the enemy took little troublo to conceal his preparations east of Reims, the offensive may not bo the main effort. Reims is not more than a name. It is certain that General Foch is ready to evacuate tho awkward salient which tho city forms, and probably lie lias strong lines behind—the Mountains of Reims. The German object is possibly to uso up the Allied reserves by drawing them from the north preparatory to attacking Amiens or to the northward of that sector; or ho may desire to widen tho base of his attack on Paris; or possibly his real effort is to defeat the largest possible portion of the French Army, without any geographical -objective. Tho enemy has prepared his ground elsewhere, and can watch tho present developments, and can either throw in fresh troops to follow, up this blow or ho can change liis plans quickly."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. WHOLE SITUATION DISTINCTLY GOOD (Rec. July 17, 11 p.m.) London, July IG, 3.30 p.m. Tho latest news states that the Crown - Prince continues his heavy attack east of Reims. Tho French are resisting valiantly in their battle positions two miles behind the front lines. Tliero is similar pressure west of Reims, but tho enemy's penetration nowhere exceeds four miles. Everything indicates that the enemy organised his attack on a great scale. Tho troops include a large proportion of Prince Rupprccht's reserves, and it is therefore regarded as improbable that tho enemy will attempt a simultaneous attack on Amiens or Flanders. Thus far the wholo situation is distinctly good, but it is yet too early to claim a definite repulse.—Unted Service. THE ENEMY'S HOPES London, July IG. "Tho Times" says: "We aro witnessing tho beginning of an enterprise which will ultimately surpass in magnitude the previous greatest battles. It can bo assumed that tlio enemy hopes to reach within effective bombarding range of Paris. We 'are convinced that General Foch and the Frcnch Army will effectively counter the menace." —"Tho Times." EXPLOSIVE BULLETS FROM HUN MACHINE-GUNS (Rec. July 17, 7.40 p.m.) New York, July 15. Tho New York "Times" correspondent on tho Western front states that tlio Huns aro using explosive machinc-guu bullets.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BOMBARDMENT OF PARIS RESUMED Paris, July 111. The long-range bombardment of tho city was resumed on Moiiday.-Reuter. AMERICAN HOSPITAL BOMBED. London, July 111. German airmen bombed tho American hospital at Jouy, killing two people.- ' : 4»a.JNLZ. Cahla Aran. > I
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Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 257, 18 July 1918, Page 5
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2,818THE GERMAN OFFENSIVE IN THE CHAMPAGNE Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 257, 18 July 1918, Page 5
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