ENCOURAGING NEWS FROM THE WEST

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 258, 19 July 1918, Page 5

ENCOURAGING NEWS FROM THE WEST

ALLIES,STUBBORNLY HITTING BACK IMPORTANT GROUND RETAKEN By Telegraph-Press Aeßoci&tion.-Copyrißht. 'I ■ . Paris, July 17. The French stopped the Germans without calling on extra reserves. There is every indication of a German defeat. The Germans have advanced to La Bour-doimene.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. DESPERATE ONSLAUGHTS HURLED BACK (Itec. 7uly 18, 7.50 p.m.) London, July 17. General von Einom delivered five fierce onslaughts yesterday between the Snippes Valley and Massiges. They were magnificently repulsed, nk tho heaviest German losses. The German tanks failed, our anti-tank,guns and land mines destroying many. The French losses were absurdly light, but furthon fighting in this sector is expected. The Germans' farthest advance in tho Manic Valley is six miles. A French cou'.iter-attack south of Dormans achieved most valuable results They advanced over three thousand yards and rocovored the heights, bringing the German bridges undeir an effective firo from six-inch gun batteries.. There is accumulating evidence of the seriousness of the enemy s failure, llio German claim thirteen 'thousand prisoners, but that is believed to be a wild exa™eration. The Allies' raptures have not yet been oountod."-United Service.

ONLY SIX MILES GAINED AT FARTHEST POINT. London, July 17. Tho German casualties in tho present offensive aro estimated at one Hundred thousand. Tho Germans' farthest point south of the Marne is a gain of six miles, in the neighbourhood of Festigny.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. NEW GERMAN ATTACK ON THE AMERICANS. Washington, July 17. A new German attack en the Americans compelled them to_ retire. The . troops are now seeking to restore the positions. The battle is _ fluctuating. American airmen 'destroyed five enemy aeroplanes and one balloon in the fightin" over the Marne. General Pershing (Chief of the American Army} reports thatonly five hundred Germans were captured at Chateau Thierry .-Aus.-N./;. Cable Assn. • VON ARNIM'S ARMY IN THE BATTLE (Eec. July 18, 7.50 p.m.) > London, July 17. General Sixte von Arniin's army lias been definitely thrown into tho battle eastward of Eeims.-Aus.-N.Z. CaWo Assn. UNQUESTIONED REPULSE OF VON EINEM (Eec. July 18, 9.45 p.m.) ~,„., London, July 17. Tho military authorities in London regard the repulso ■ of von Einein by Muntw-attacks south of Dormens as unquestionable. Gams have been secured.United Service. . ' FRANCO-AMERICAN COUNTER-ATTACK ■I TWO TOWNS RECAPTURED. (Eec. July 18, 10.25 p.m.) London, July 17. Correspondents on the American front state that tho Franco-American coun-ter-attack eastward of Chateau Thierry last night resulted in retaking the towns of La Chapellc an! -Monthodon, and the clearing of portions of the Bois de Conie Fighting continues. Tho Americans everywhere are holding their ground, both cnstwnrd of Eeims and in tho Chateau Thierry region The Gorman awmen are apparently carrying out a set programme of bombing hospitals. _A captured map showed tho position of ovcry American liospital near tho jin-M. Neverthe ess three were bombed, nurees, doctors, and orderlies being oithcr killed or wounded. -Ans.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE OFFICIAL REPORTS Tho High Commissioner reports:— n S London, July IG. 10.40 p.m. "To-dav tho Germans were unable to resume tho general attack, which was broken last night. The enemy's local attacks were beaten back, everywhere." ENEMY HELD EVERYWHERE. London, July 17, 1.25 a.m. A Ilrench communique states: "The Germans wore unable to "esu.mo tho general attack which was broken yesterday, but made a violent endeavour to enlarge their local successes. The fighting was particularly stubborn couth, ot tho Mamo during the morning and afternoon. We impeded an'attempt to advance np the river by a defence foot by foot, and held it on the lino Oeui ly-Bnvoi-ny Wo counter-attacked on tho front of St Agnan-La Chapelle-Mont Hoc on. We took those places, and carried the line to the heights dominating the valley of tho Mamo, in the region of La Bourdonnene. Tho Frenrh and Italians, beiween the Marne and Eeims, repulsed several enemy nttempti, and maintained their positions oast of Eeims. Tho Germans in the morning resumed their violent artillery preparations, after which a tacks followed at scvera pom s A powerful attempt was made in tho direction of Beaumont-sur-Veslc but (ho enemy was unable to debouch from Prunay.. Our fire broke down two attempts west of tho river in tho sector of the Smppe Tho fighting was equally lively east of Tahure, where the) enemy attacked. Tho enemy eftortsovoijwhero were in vain, and storming troops were repulsed with heavy losses. Orders found on prisoners show that tho attack on the Chompagno_ front was carried out by fifteen divisions in line and ton in reserve. It was intended to advance taehe and a-half miles the first day, and reach tho Alamo on the right. -Aus.-iV/i. Cablo Assn.-Kcutcr. (Rec. July 18, 9.-15 p.m.; v London, July 17, 5.H0 p.m. A French communique states: "South of the Manio the Germans attacked last night with fresh forces north of St. Agnan, Chapolle, and Monthodon. and succeeded in penetrating our lines at La Bourdonncrio. Tho battle continues bitterly on the wooded slopes immediately south of these pointe. larthei- cast,, in spito of very lively attacks, we hold tho onemy on tho southern edge of Bonmiigiiy and Nesles Woods. The Germans also attempted a powerful, effort in tho direction of Mouvoisin, which they seized, but a counter-attack drove them out between (he Mamo and Eeims. Violont fighting is proceeding in Iho Courlon Woods. An enemy attack in the region of Vrigny completely failed. East ot Reims local enemy attempts were without result, notably in the region of Pruna.v. The Germans, who arc endeavouring to renew their assaults at Beaumont, sustained a sanguinary defeat. Wo have everywhoro entirely maintained our posi-tioii6."-Auß.-N.Z. 'Cablo Assn.-Router. THE AMERICAN REPORT i London, July '17. An American official report states: "Wo co-operated with the French in yesterday's battle east of Eeims. We repulsed enemy attacks, maintained ou.r portions at all points, and captured prisoners and machine-guns. Yesterday morning tho onemy attempted, after artillery preparation, to attack our Hues on a • front of a hundred yoirds. Tho attack broke down under our artillery fire. - I Aue.-N.Z. Cable AssH.-Eoutsr.

ON THE BRITISH FRONT

London, July 10, 10.55 p.m. Sir Douglas U'aig reports:' "Tho enemy attacked and entered two of our nonposts in the°ucighbourhood of Ilcbntcrnc. Our counter-attack immediatey. drove him out, and wo secured prisoners. There is hostile artillery action al Locie. Aus.-N.15. Cable Assn.-Reuter. (Eec. Julv 18, 7.50 p.m.) London, July 17. Sir Tlnii-'hs Haic report*: "We conducted a successful minor enterprise eastwJof V lleis We raided the enemy's lines in the neighbourhood otUnllucli. Hostile artillery is acthc on various sectors."-A„s.-N./, Cablo Assn.-Reuter. (Reo. July 10, 0.35 a.m.) Sir f)nu.dns Ham reports:-"We secured prisoners in patrol encounters north of B hui o and we tof Merville. There is great hostile gas-shelling on the V.lkrs Bre!onneux front and also hostile artillery and trench mortar activity on tho Albert scctor."-Aus.-N.Z. Assn.-Reuter.

THE ENEMY'S REPORT

London, July 17. A Gorman official report states: "Dunns 'the advance across Iho Marno fo the .south-west of Jaulgouuc wo broke m the enemy lm«. Wo ncnetrnted pa tof the French positions south-west and east of Reims. Our artillery, ™**f™' crs, gas-throwera, tanks, and flame-thrower, opened the way into the enuy positions. General von Boehm crossed the 1 an* between, Jaulgo no and easlward of that village. The Germans stormed the slopes on the sou bank o: the Marno and constructed bridges, and we thrus through the 8 woods, and drove the onany back towards Condo la Chapelle, <*> M'?"?' " Miireiiil Wo won the first French and Italian positions between the Ardre and the Manic Wo alsoat tacked the enemy from I'runay as far as Tahure, cap u,rn° tho first position. We crossed the Comillct, Hochbcrg, and luelbcrg heights, and re!X I .point north-west of Prosncs. \Vo made progress between Auberivo amiTouth-we t of Tahure. The enemy maintains his second position north of Prosnes Souan and Perthes. The total numlwr of prisoners taken is thirteentWa'nd We brought down thirty-ono aeroplanes. Tho enemy delivered foknt ounte-attacfe on the Marno front, achieving some souH.west of Reims. The situation is unchanged cast ol Reims."-Aus.->v.Z. Cable Assn.Eculel ' - (Hoc. July 19, 0,35 a.m.) ■. London, July 1/. * r„„„„ „(T„.ni TPnnrt states ■-"South-vest of Courlemont wo advanced as f A nl 2*° of; „ <XVO cnt enemy counter-attacks south of the. Marno far as l^™ 1 e to , } , the hofchl"'north* rd rf VenL 1, and fought our way through tho Rodetat 80, the hoiglils nornwaiui m , Montagno de Reims, and captured the fortified AAA ofyissiges."-Aus.-Nr Z . Gable Assn.-Reuter. 18,000 -PRISONERS CLAIMED BY THE GERMANS. (Rec. July 18, 11.50 p.m.) v Vancouver, July 17. Berlin claims that 18,0(10 prisoners were taken and 37 aeroplanes wevo brought down on Tucsday.-Reutor. THE LATEST NEWS-FIERCE FIGHTING CONTINUES (Reo. July 19, 1.45 a.m.) London, July 18. Fierce fitting continues, with further thrusts at Reims and south of the Mhm. The line gmerally has ■held.-Tlnited Service. . COMMENTS ON THE SITUATION GENERAL MAURICE'S IMPRESSIONS.

London, July 17. r'„„,„.„i nr-m.;™ wrifpu- "Nnthimr is more difficult Own to restore monicii-, turn X?,uXck is decked Kfore, as tho enemy's gains .on either sdo v 1 Lltled a GermS vS It is too early to say that the effort southuS„iS; has been brow t to a atandrtill, but it emmet be dangerous with-

GENERALLY SPEAKING, A SERIOUS GERMAN REVERSE London, July 17. Router's correspondent at French Headquarters writing on tho. evening of July 16, says that, generally speaking, he enemy has suffered a serious.reverse but it is too early to say that tho attack has been definitely rep.ilsedf ho situation may, however, be regarded as distinctly good. It is now clean- that the enemy concentrated all his efforts on the offensive. He employed fiftj-six d visions, including many crack ones. There were fourteen divisions each in tho fm,t line west and cast of Reims, and the same number in tha second line Jrsoners state that the German Army has christened tlm battle lire I'ncdeu Sturm," or "Peace Attack." The correspondent says that most of tho groind lost is not particularly valuable. Tho Moroimllers massif had to bo «b»»oonoA ifter hard ftehtin" Tho enemy again holds tho hvo crests of Mont Conn let, I Ment Blao, d M?ftnt; and thoVin Casque. The. French did not attempt to hold them strongly, thus avoiding a large.haul of prisoners when the front was withdrawn two to three miles to the Souain-PertliKi-les Hurles line. Telegraphing at 11.30 on Tuesday night, tho correspondent says: Ho general attack was not renewed to-day The operations were of a local character'.lt is expected that stabilisation of tho lino will be reached in a few days. 10-dnj s nmrations were dictated by the position in which the various German commandfailure. The German guns east of Reims Say fire' from their old positions, tho enemy not finding it worth while to advance thcm."-Reutcr. Mr. George Perris writes: "It appears that tho enemy practised no new fn the offensivo He oponed his artillery preparation at midnight, and Cn th in antry aslault at LlO. His guns soused the. French line,' everywhere with a combination of gas and smoke shells, .which produced noxious clouds isolating■groups of defenders, and made the giving and receiving of orders and conSl nwvement difficult. Tho columns of attack were not directed evenly Tthn whole front but by parallel thrusts; and when these did not succeed flank 'to ks by tl. supporto attempted to clear the ground. Many tank, supplemented hofrun in ho Champagne against the old elaborate French trenches, fields cf tire and bioMioses Consequently there was a strong contrast in character bet»»n tle hittlcs east f.nd west of Reims. The French will look with pndo on ho defenceo the Champagne front. They, took a heavy toll of the greycoats Store thor reached the trenches. The seventy-fives and tho be lowing monsters of but g eater explosive effect were instantly, at work. But it was ?m„n«ible to hold the front long against the overwhelming numbers and a frighl-7runninNand-to-nand struggle ensued along the communication trendies *M in the Second 1 nes, with short, sharp counter-attacks and successful rallies. CvXmv -the ° localserves camo into play, and tho attack weakened and came I V «tinds 11 The defenders, with their entrenchments largely intact, had the Svantaio in everythins excep numbers; consequently the enemy's esses were Between Chateau Thierry and Dormans the woods and dales providTZTc'oveifo'hegathering of bridging materials, and. a few in it o the nifht using small boats, crossed the river, which hereabouts ■ h °iftW™» vlrls wWe and commenced the construction of brldegheads, which is 100 to lot) yarcis wire, recommenced. Tho enemy constrnctf d fnT„ ,nations Sunder the German fire. Masses of men poured across six to. hold the pos twns und« tno or w](J M *&"&vJZ , ntanm came into wtion, and sowed death among the close Wh, i° ?f%V enemy, and harassed their rear. Ono squadron broke Wo toid^s 1 were passing over, and many were drown M l."-Ai., N.Z. Cable Assn. GENERAL FOCH SATISFIED London, July 17. ''ffinftne orSSe 'Till 1 success was gained after repeated keavy Zh S ttwl int?ord:nco l withes time-table for the offonsive.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn, ._

.COLONEL REPINGTON'S VIEWS (Eec. JulylsT™ p.m.) <\,wi states that the French and British armies have been .freshl Sol ••Tbetaons we cut each otl.er have now been returned to heir lyd T m t Th ß Amen a divisions, however, are fighting at various pomts, Tha Wicnn divfsi ns e ieh stronger than the Allied or cnemv div.sions, Sd of holding their own against threo German d.nsions.'-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE WAR IN THE AIR AIR MINISTRY'S REPORT. London, July IC. Tho Air Ministrv jcports: "Our aviators successfully bombed railway sid- • „„,i « Li= 1\ nifpnlmrir also an aerodrome. Good bursts were observed. They 'also Staff tho raav and sidings at TMonvillo. Several bursls were obsenn] on he railwav a large lire was started, and thero were several heavy explosions All Surmachines 0 r cturned."-Aus.-N.Z. Cable A»n.-HcuAcr. SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S REPORT. London, July IC, 10.55 run. Sir Deucla* flaig reports: "Storms have handicapped the air work. We ,!rn,med a Iw bombs. I'm a violent thunderstorm prevented night bombing after • P i?i,i Irndnu"lv o that hour we dropped over four tons of Ijomlm on SSin railway ttion and hostile bi!lets."-Aus.-N.K. Cable Assn.-Rcuter. ALLIED AIR ATTACKS IN JUNE GERMANS ADMIT THIRTY-THREE. . {Rcc. July 18, 10.20 p.m.) Amsterdam, July 17. The Germans officially admit thirty-throo Allied air attacks in Jnue in the Lorraine, Luxemburg, Saar, and Rhine regions. «'No military da mage was done, they say, "except at Saarbriwken and Ln.dwigßhafon."-Auß.-N.Z. Cable Assn.