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THE ALLIES' BRILLIANT SUCCESS

MS CHANCED SITUATION MATERIALLY

GERMANS RETREATED ACROSS THE MARNE

Hj Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright. m, ' . London, Julv 19. lho Aisne battle isbeing continued violently. .The Allies have captured a hundred guns. Tho I'rench captured -IS guns 011 tbo first day of the attack iho Trench a™ again advancing, and the German lines are imperilled.-Aus.-N 7, table Assn. (Rec. July 21, 5.5 ii.m.) Tlio advance of tho 'Pronch and the Americans continues. Tho Germans nro bringing up 300,000 ■()£ reserves. The British havo advanced 011 a front of a. imlo south of Hobuterue.—Aus.-N.Z; Cablo Assn. mi tt •, 1 t> Washington, July 13 Tho United Press- Agency at Washington learns officially that the French have captured Soi.ssons. Ofhcial advices state that tho French and -Vraericans havo captured M.WO prisaners. General March (Chief of Staff) announces that the Americans fighting on- tlie Aisne do not exceed a hundred and sixtv thousand Assn I ,lannctl a -.e rcat <l» v c for later in the year.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable ffiec. July 21, 5.5 p.m.) General Match, American Chief of Staff,states that by ot the German front the GerrttUn drive against Koimß has been definilelv slonnod A German offensive against the British lu ihe northward was recently postponed for Fomo unknown reason. In jfurther gains towards Soissons the French have cap- ™ .? 1 ' . * In ° 6e1 ' n5111,3 aro recrossing tho Manic in several places—AusN.Z. Cable Assn. 1 FRENCH COUNTER.ATTACK A SURPRISE OPENED-WITHOUT PRELIMINARY BOMBARDMENT. Tho French counter-attack was a surprise. It opened ''bombardment on ar front of ■ twenty-sevjn miles from the heights north of Fontenov to Belleau. At 1 0 clock (lie "French had captured the heights overlooking Fontenov on the extreme left, and had progressed to Mont do Paris, overrunning tho plateau in front ot Soissons and reachihg to within a mile of the city. Thev also "ained a ravine at the River Crise, win eh runs into Soissons, on a lront of five iiules to the east ot Busancy, which menus a maximum advance of five miles at this noint The Army Corps attacking here took 4000 prisoners and thirty guns, and considerable material. Ihe Americans; .took part in this advance.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GERM-AM-' LOSSES ENORMOUS (Re!:. July 20, 5.5 p.m.) Tho United Press corresponded ton tho,West front statw" ilmlib"German losses 111 front:oi -the American jjqrations were enormous. The American artillery wiped out an entire German ".regiment before it was able to crbss (he Marne It is believed to have been the famous bixtli Grenadiers. Three German divi sions were so demoralised that thqy have not-appeared in tho fighting again In the region ot Mezy and Jauigonno ;tho German dead lie four and five deep \n American regimental comwander etVamated that tho German dead in front of his command numbered 5900.-An3.-jS T .Z.. Cable Assn. ADVANCE MiiDE VERY RAPIDLY (Rec. Jully 21, .5.5 p.fo.) rtJF 1 " 3 I 1? 1 Wav l' of f m e™aps seized their objectives and over ml ? j captured their >■ positions, according to programme They had Wdly completed tho work of consolidation when the nrst wavo swep: on ;:gmn, clearing the ground well beyond 'the fixed obicctives. Tanks co-operated importantly throughout, preceding as well as following the. infantry and clear-Jig the enemy out of pockets. Tho advance in some places 'hftt the French ;nd tho Americans hurriedly dined at tables at which the■ Germans had breakfasted. . T!he attackers met Germans with workin" batches of French prisoners on the. rocds. They liberated the latter, who ioinctl in. the light. There is ample evidence- that-the French offensive surprised the bermans. Iho attackers encountered :> division wh : ch was bein* relieved and also found ofheers asleep in ilug-outs. Til 0 aircraft did splendidly- spotlin" the enemy concentrations which .were promptly bombed. • They also bombed "threo troop trains.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

ATTACK DIRECTED AGAINST GERMANS' RIGHT FLANIv. • Paris, July 19^ uencral Margin commanded the new attack, /which was directed against tho whole ript flank of the German army, upon the left side of the light aiMe formed by the German advance to ChatOau Thierry. The operations rcsemhlo the first Cambrai success in the using of tfjnks instead of a "bombardment, and the miantry advanced under a scientific ercopijiff barrage. The French from Sotesons to Chateau Thierry arc fighting with their! faces to the eastward, while the Germans from Chateau Thierry to Chutillon - rn*o fighting towards the south. The French are endeavouring lo carry out operations like those which the Germans* are endeavouring lo push to a conclusion between Reims and Enenmy. Each Bido is trying to flatten out an isosceles triaatgle. Tlio latest information is that TimM" 11 ™ 11 '13 ;v ' l^e General .Vfaiiigia is atill making progress.— 1 "Tho FRENCH TRYING TO CUT THE ENEMY'S LINE OP SUPPLY. m, . ~ . , . ' London, July 19. Ihe counter-offensive began at 6 oclock on Thursday morning. The ground , , " se "mosquito -..tanks," cavalry, and artillery, of which full ndvantake ivas taken. The 'French aim at getting astride of tho Soissons-Keims railway, so as lo enable them (in force the enemy back alonx tho Manio valley by cutting their line of supply. It is definitely known that General I i . BU P erSec ' C( ' General von Belotf 011 tho Champagne front.—Aus.N.Z. Cablo Assn. BATTLE UNDERTAKEN IN FAVOURABLE CIRCUMSTANCES. ~ . , Paris, July 19. General Ciourando, 111 an array order issued on the eve of the offensive pointed out that a defensive battle was never undertaken in-more favourable circumstances. Strong infantry awl artillery reinforcements had arrived, while the ground had become a formidable fortress which was invineibV) if it was well guarded. Every man must havo only 0110 thought—to kill Germans, and kill them in plonty until they wcro exhausted.—Aiib.-\N.Z, Cable Asm. SITUATION EXTREMELY PROMISING GERMAN COMMUNICATIONS „ , , London, Julv Ifl. Up to noon the Fronch had ndvancod between three and four miles." I'hcy wore especially successful in tlio Aisno Valley. Thto American artillery co-oper-ated in the battle, which is the biggest Allied coumter-otTensivc since April, 1017. Meanwhile tho Germans ma<lo 110 further advance towards Epcruay, and wcro slightly thrown back in places. The Fronch have recaptured the wholo front on tho Bcausejour-Jfossigcs lino at tho eastern end of tho Champagne front, and also Tecaptured Lateuil, Vcnsuel (PVcrnouil), atml the Hois de Hoi, on tlio Marne. Tho American division captured Vierzy 011 d advanced three miles beyond tho village. The Germaiw farther south, on thn heights north of the Ourcq Valley, hastily counter-attacked, and Ihe situation is for tho moment obscure. The French, still farther south, gained tho western outskirts of Chouy and Nouilly-St. Front. They also advanced to a depth of .threw miles east of Heims, and recaptured Pruna.v. Tho countcr-offensivo is regarded as having succeeded exceptionally well, and the situation is extremely pramising. The enemy's artillery Toplied weakly, while the French co 11 nter-battcir J" work is reported remarkably good. German aviators, flying low, used their; machine-guna in an en-

i.'i small success. The French attack has tlier the German attempt 011 the Xoyon- ■ round Jleiins. The French advanced to : Ulan tho Germans did in three days. 1 'mentions within the salient, especially v ics. The French now have the eommu--1 have thus achieved an important > 'lopmcnb may be. This valuable advance r performances of the war. There is 1 French lost; seme high ground at Oori hen slope, but although they perhaps lin effective range of the bridges."—Aus.-

deavour to ira'pedo (ho attack, but wit' already been in uch more successful than Montdidiev hwnt or the latest attacks a considerably greater depth in six hour The attack threatens the German conim ai. two points, Ouchy-le-Chateau and Fis: mentions under direct observation. Th stl'ttlCßic position, whatever the next, do is regarded as one of the most brill inn local lighting noutli of the ilame. Tli mans, and camß back farther <;n (he sou' lost observation - their guns remain withi -\.H. Cable Assa.

PARIS OVERJOYED AT FOCH'S MASTERLY MANOEU VEE.

London, July 10. Paris is overjoyed at tho news of General Foch's masterly manoeuvre of striking q. lightning blow at the node of tho German salient and scoring an instantaneous victor-! . At last the tide of tho German successes scorns to liavo reached high-water mark, and it will now begin to recede.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE FINANCIAL BAROMETER. (Eec. July 21, 5.5 p.m.) London, July 19. Tho war news ton 6 heartened the Stock Exchange, which is 6trong all round. Consols have advanced to i£5G ss—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE OFFICIAL REPORTS Tho High Commissioner reports:— London, .Tulv 20, 0.20 a.m. , A French official import states: "We have readied the 'Jlariie, taking 20,000 prisoners and '100 can aon." THE FRENCH COMMUNIQUE „ . London, July 19. trench communique states: "Starting from tho front Awblcny-Longpont--1 roesnes-Boureschas, wt> advanced considerably into the enemy lines, and reacjied the plateau cfl mnianding Soissons on tho south-west and the region of Chaiulin. violeut lighting is going on gotween Yillcrs Helou and Noroy-stir-Uurcfi, The troops solith of the Oureq have passed tho general lino of MarizyCieneviovL» Hauteveanes, ami Belleau, Over twenty villages have been recaptured, ami several 'thousand prisoners and important booty taken. Nothing important has occurred .elsewhere." . A later communique states: "Bombing aeroplanes ceaselessly attacked tho bridges oyer the Marnejt. and tho Germans debouching on the northern and soiuieru banks, fired at with machiue-guus and bombs, lost heavily, and were frequently scattered. A abridge thrown over the river in front of Bormans was flooded with projectiles &ud collapsed, and tho convoys crossing it were engulfed. Iwonty-ono tons of explosives wero dropped during the day, and fourteen tons at night in the oncttu v's rear. Explosions, fires, and much damage wero observed. • Numerous air lights occurred, and twenty-nine German machines were brought down aud d , (i',abled."-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. fflec. July 21, 5.5 p.m.) • , . London, July 20. A. French communique' states: "Between the Aisne and tho Mavne wo aro overcoming the resistance elf tho enemy, who had brought up fresh reserves. Wo yesterday evening advanced appreciably, aud took more prisoners. The battle continues west of Beims. delivered lively attacks yesterday south of tho Marne. Wo have retaken ifclonvoisin and thrown the enemy back to tho eastern outskirts of Oeuilly. North, of tho river wo have progressed in tho Bois du Hoi and Bois de Couston, between; La Potcria and Pourcy, and carried our lines a kilometre to tho westward at a point further north. The Italians carried tho Ardre Mill and captured grottud in the region of Bouilly.- AVe took prisoner 400 and captured four guns and HO luachinc-utius in these' actions." A later communique stated: "Tho battle has continued most violently all <lav between tho Aisno and the JLvrne. The enemy counter-attacked with large reserves, attempting to arrest lihe advance, which, however, has continued over most of tho front. Oil the M; we maintained' the plateau south-west of Soissons aud in the region of Chaudujn. In the contro we passed beyond by three kilometres at certain points a .lino through Vaux, Villers Ilelon, and Norov-snr-Ourcq. On the right wo liavo continued the severe fighting on the plateau north-west of Monnes Hill. Jka;th of &mrehamps we liavo advanced beyond Torchy. Hitherto over 17,000 prisoners have been counted, including two colonels and their staffs; and 300 guns '.have been captured, including a battery of 8-inch armament.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aeßii.-Iteutc*. (Bee, July 21, 11.50 p.m.) ,ti i • , , , , , , Lo ndon, July 20, 4.50 p.m. A French communique stalest-- lestorday and during (he night (he French and American truops continued to advance along tho mnjor portion of the front between Iho Aisne and the Murne. We readied Vierey, passed Monloy Wood to the east of Villers Helou. Amd captured Neuilly SI. Front, and' Lieyhui?wiguon (?). South of the Jlarne we drove back the enoniv between Fossov and Oonilly, and gained ground in tho direction of the Manic."—Aus.-N./;. Cable Aswi.R cuter.'

AMFMN REPORTS London, Julv 19. An American communir|uo stat® i-'T-he,American troops, co-operating with the French between the Aisne and tbe .Alarno, penetrated the enemy lines to a depth .of several miles, capturing muny prisoners and guns."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn,-Router. (Bee. Jutly 21, 5.5 p.m.) London, July ai. An American communique states-j-' Botwcen the Aisno and tlio Marno wo havo continued to progress."—Aus.-N.|Z. Cablo Assn.-Kouter, SCOTTISH TROOK CAPTURE METEBEN LINE ADVANCED SOUTH OF HEBUTERNE. (Eec. July 21, 5.5 p.m.) c- n 1 tr • 11 no , 1 • , 1 . London, July 20, morning. bir Douglas Haig slates—'.Scottish troops captured Motoren village "ainin" all their objectives and taking prisoner over 300 and capturiii" a number of machine-guns. Under cover of this opoiiation, the Australians advanced their lino a short distance. Southward of Muteren wo took a few prisoners in l-iids and patrol encounters in tho Nicppe Forest sector. Wo bombed many targe's including dumps at Armentieres mid Meiicourt, railway stations at Eosieres and Bray, and docks at Bruges and Osteiul. Wu brought down nino aeroplanes Seven. British machines are missing. Our iii ? l»t-flyers dropped eight toils of bombs on the Atons-valenciennes railway, and six tons on tho Courtrai, Seclin and Lille railways. Two aeroplanes havo not rctui>,Bod."-Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Eeuter. «■ -n 1 tt • 1. 1 "i -*j. t London, July 20, morning. bir Douglas Haig stales: As a resuJt of operations 011 July 20 our line in tlio Meteren sector was advanced on a front of about -1000 yard* and tlio village of Meteren, with a group buildings to the Eouth-westward, is now held by the British. On -the txtrcmo loft the enemy offered considerable resistniiee. At other points onr objective was gained rapidly without difficulty We took 43C prisoners. Tho British made a suateful raid near Beaumont" Hamel Further north, after sharp fighting, wo pushed our line forward on a front of about a milo southward of Hobutorne. Tlutre is hostile artillery firing in the neighbourhood of St. Venant and Ypres."—Atts.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eeuter. (Eec. July 21, 11.60 p.m.) London, July 21, morning. Sir Douglas Haig reports: 'The minor operations with the Hebuternc sector have continued with success. Our pressure hits compelled tho enemy to withdraw from tho Ressignol Wood, between He\>uterno find Bucquoy. This important local feature is now in our possession. We followed! up tho enemy, who suffered heav-ily."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eeuter. THE GERMMRETOBT London, July 19. Admiralty, iper Wireless Press—A German; official report states-.—"The enemy l-enoweilhis attacks with great viol-aco e;ist of Tillers Bretonneus. A great united enemy counter-attack again*t our whole front south of the Marne broke down with tho heaviest losses. Our countur-atiack threw the enemy nut of small places south-east of Mareuil, into which h-ft hud temporarily penl'tnted. "Wo stormed a ridge south of Pour:y, capturing t.lie defenders and several guns." Tho evening official message states:—"Between the Aisne and the Marne tho French attacked with strong forces and h-uks, cajrturiug some ground. Our ieservts took part in tho battle."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eeuter. (Eec. July 21, 5.5 p.uj.) ' London, July 20. A wireless German oflicial message s -\les:-"A. fresh French attempt to break through between tho Aisne and tho Jlarm failed."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eewler. A later German report states:—"Bet-.- Mi the Aisne and the Marne Ihe Fronch penetrated, by surprise, our front Hues a : isolated 'ooints, and pressed us bade. We 'defeated French attacks from tho o f . Soissons to Neuilb\ .Strong enemy partial attacks against oil" new lintii on the whole front broke down. Enemy attacks lo the south-west, .f Mareuil iand Hois du Itoi, astride the Pourcy, failed. We have taken 20,000 prisoners siwpo Julv 15."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eeuter. (Rec. July 21, 11.50 p.m.,) , u 1 London, July 20. A wireless German official report stn -s: 'Tho wicmy obtained a footing at Meteren. The enemy again attempted (0 .breach the whole front, from the Aisno to the Marne. Tanks early penetrated 0 foremost, lines, but the Ihr-t enemy thrust was defeated by 110011 011 the hei ''its to the south-west of Poissons ve*t of Hartennes and St. Neuilly, and to th- north-west -of Chautcau Thierry.' Further attaclts in the evening broke down. Wo threw back the enemy to tlio north of Hartonnes, beyond his original lines We withdrew unnoticed to tho north bank of UlO Marne during tno night."—Ans.-Nf.Z, Cable Assn.-Eepter. GERMAN RETREAT OVER THE MARNE ADMITTED. (Eec. July 22, 1.10 a.m.) London, July 21. Clio German retreat across tho Marno is confirmed by a German •semiofficial report, which laboriously explains that the object qf tho first cros«in" of tlio .Marne was to divert the French forces. As this has been achieved, it. was unnecessary to hold tho ground south of the riviir, therefore, the troops' were withdrawn to fulfil important tasks—Eeutor. COUNTER-OFFENSIVE DESCRIBED BY EYE-WITNESSES THE SPECTACLE OF THE BATTLEFIELD. (Eec. July 21, 5.5 p.m.) * London, July 19. Eye-witnesses of the counter-offensive say that the outstanding feature was tho completeness of General Foch's surprise. Some German officers were captured in bed. The prisoners include a German working parly sent out to leap tho harvest. The weather conditions wcro most, favourable. A violent cyclone .raged 011 Wednesday night, covering tlio arrival of French tanks in the'front, line, tho noise of the storm concealing tlio advance. Wlieti Iho attack was in full swing 011 tho following morning the spectacle of the battlefield wns one of great; beauty. Tho infantry could bo seen approaching the red-roofed villages dotting the country, which rose gently from the rivers to the high ground which passed into the possession of the French by tlio evening. Parties of cavalry I could he seen ahead of the infantry and tanks, crossing the wheat fields which ; were golden to harvest, or the .woods, olive green in the windy sunshine, which inado. up the rest of tho countryside. Above, fleets of aeropianes manoeuvred among tho trailing low clouds, set. against tho deep bluo sky. Gorman Front Broken at Several Points. Within an hour and a half of the commencement of tho brtttle tho Gorman front was broken at several points. Tho Fronch cavalry wore inynediatoly called,

mid soon wore some miles ahead of the original Froncli lino while the infantry wore still lighting lor the villages behind. By - o'clock the Dragoons were fighting in tlio streets of a village six miles ahead of the starting point, file Fn-ncii everywhere csuepfc on, icav.n,,' reserves 10 eieun up Mil- ceiilres of resistance. The attack was pressed so lurd that the element oi surprise on some parts of the field lasted for hours. Tin.- Herman officers were unaljle to believe that Generals Maie/in and do Goutte could embark on a Hank attack. One German oliieer vriio was taken prisoner w.ui asked whether the Germans had not ieared a llank attack, ami replied: "An attack! Willi what? We thought t'och's reserves were exhausted." As a inet the German infantry in some sectors were of poor quality and offered liltio resistance, suffljwting that the German policy of selecting storm troops was proving demoralising to the remainder ot the units. This was confirmed by siveral captured army orders, signed by von Boehm and von Alarwitz, complaining that the discipline of their armies was gravely shaken, and directing the oiiicers to show no clemency when punishment was due. Objectives Considerably Exceeded. Everywhere the objectives were considerably exceeded. At least 100 German guns were captured. The German counter-attacks on Thursday were nowhere on a really large scale. Tho French continued to advance on Friday morning, when tho German resistance was much greater, the High Command using tiio reserves freely as the struggle became more severe. When General Mangin saw that his troops wero in possession of tho heights dominating Soissons on Thursday evening, he heaved a sigh of deep satisfaction. Along the entire front the Germans attempted to rusts in men and artillery supplies under the most intenso Allied shell-lire. American units, renewing the battle 011 Friday, encountered the German reserves in the woods, villages, and grainfields, south of Soissons, but tho Am"ricans, in conjunction with the French, advanced to tho north-west of Chateau T..ierr> Other American units, engaged in tho vicinity of Dormans, were all excited and confident'of dealing a big blow at the enemy.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. DISPATCHES FROM THE CORRESPONDENTS IMPORTANCE OF THE SUCCESS BECOMING HOURLY CLEARER, (Hoc. July 21, 5.5 p.m.) _ London, July 19. itonters correspondent at French Headquarters, writing on Thursday evening, slates that the importance of tho success becomes hourly clearer. The advance cut the Soissous-Chateau Thierry highway and the Soissous-Villiers railway at several points. The German infiltration movements were affected by cavalry riding through the gaps in the enemy's retreating lines and establishing themselves in the villages further ahead. Enemy's Move Towards Epernay Arrested. Writing on Friday afternoon, the correspondc/i says: "The night was relatively calm on the Aisnc-JUarno lronc, tlio French resting in their new position. German reserves were brought up in considerable strength. The lighting was most letter and over 10,000 prisoners wero taken and over 50 guns captured. Tho enemy s luovo up the river towards Epernay seems to havo been dcfinitelv arrested." " Immense Quantity of Material Captured. Writing on Friday evening, the correspondent says: "The Americans and French south of Soissons launched a second attack at 110011 and swept 011 so fast that the cavalry were thrown in in the afternoon. All tho Headquarters staff tonight are well inside tho captured territory. The Americans south of SoissMs up to noon counted 2500 prisoners and 50 guns. Ti..!y also captured an immense quantity -jf material, including several aeroplanes which tho enemy was unaulo to rou.ove. Many prisoners are not counted. The Americans north of Chateau 'i'V.crry ccj,lured more prisoners nid cn eiiua! qu.ntHy of malcrinl."-4leuiei\ American Troops Behaved Like Veterans, Router's correspondent at the American Headquarters reports:—"Largonumbers of American storm troops went over tho top with a yell, without any artillery preparation. Tlio Germans mostly resisted feebly; 'here and tner'o stubborn fighters wero quickly vanqui tiled by tho American bayonets. Tho unemy was everywhere completely surprised. Tho attack was most successful in tho region of Soissons, whero' tho final objectives were passed. Tho whole operation is at preseut more successful even tl an was expected. Many guns were caplured, including eighteen in ono town. Tho whole German "left llank is 11.cnuced, and tho enemy must bring up his troops from the Marne front or leave, them in danger. Tho Americans were trained to the last .notch, and behaved like veterans, frothing stopped H em. There was tho closest co-operation between the artillery and the infantry, and light and many heavy guns we movfrt up at high spcel, and deluged the enemy forces wjth shells. "The tanks did all that was expected of them, preceding and accompanying'the infantry, an.lclearing many places that escaped the artillery. Hastily-organised enemy counterattacks here : and there wero ail In often. The resistance was stubborn east of Chaudun. Tho fighting : s l:tely to bccomo heavier as the German reserves arrive."—Eouter. Blow Fell Like a Flash of Lightning. Mr. Gerald Campbell elates: —"Tlio blow fell like a flash of lightning. 'Jlie whole course ol liw war lias seen no surprise so complete. As tho advance proceeded, Germans wero found sleeping or peacefully gardening or narrates the crops. At first the enemy oncers taken prisoner could not credit that an offensive was commenced, declaring that Focli had not the. necessary troops. The spectacle of the advanco was gloiious and inspiring, and the French were unrcstrainablc. Tho majority of the Americans had never been under fire before, but they dashed along the sunny, smiling landscape, through yellow cornfields, or plunged into rivers breast deep, under heavy artillery fire, singing choruses. As for tho cavalry, they had conic into their own "at last. It, was a sight for sore eyes as they rode eastward along tho valleys debcmehi.ig from the forests. Airmen- haw the cavalry fighting in (lie streets of vTliages so far ahead that I dare not name thein. went like clockwork. By !) o'clock Torcy and Couroh.imps had been captured. Heavy counterattacks had been repulsed hero l;y 2 o'clock in tho afternoon. Farther up towards the Ourey and over the whole front saw Hie same success. Jt wos a great day in Franco, and materially changes tho eituation. The effect 011 the French 'was like a glass of cliampagno on a tired mail."—"Tho Times." COMMENTS ON THE SITUATION DECISIVE STRATEGIC RESULTS ACHIEVED. London, July 19. General Maurice, commenting 011 tho counter-attack, says: "General Foch has always preached that a defensive attitude is 110 defence; so wo may be euro that tho reason he has not attacked before is that ho had not the necessary means. Tho counter-attack between the Aisno and the Marne is an indication "that tho painful period during which wo havo had to sit still is brought to an end. All who have followed the 1918 campaign must realiso that the deep-rooted belief that tho defence is necessarily more economical of life than tlio offensive is an illusion. A successful attack is almost always much less costly than an unsuccessful defonce. In the present battlo Germany has lost moro heavily localise her attacks havo failed. General Foch's attack thus far has not been expensive, for it achieved a surprise, and was made in a direction whero every yard of ground must directly influence tho course of the battle. It is almost certain that the enemy was preparing for an advanco upuu I'aTis along tlio front attacked. He will now havo to begin his preparations afresh. General Focli has not only driven the enemy bacK.farther from Paris, but has struck at tho main artery feeding the Germans in tho great salient. The Mont do Paris, which is now in French hands, completely dominates Soissons, and makes the railways passing through tho town useless to tho Germans, as tlio French artillery dominates the lines. Tho chances of recapturing Soissons aro rosy. In any caso it will be impossiblo for the Germans to bring up tho vast amount, of material required for the attack on I'aris, and it will bo difficult to keep tho troops on the Marne supplied with food and ammunition. TJnliko the Crown Princo's effort, General Foch in a. few 'hours secured decisive strategic, results. He is able to claim considerable captures of guns, while von LudendorfE is v.nablo to boast: ono after four days of battle. Tiro counter-attacks south of tlio Marno were a. local effort by General Focli to regain high ground, from which ho is able to shell tlio enemy's bridges, which are under observation.. The Americans havo taken part, in tho buttle. It is a very high trial for new troops to take part in a surprise attack, hastily prepared as' this jnust havo been. It looks as if von Hindenburg waited 100 long, and underestima,ted tho Americans, as his predecessor in the' first Battle of the Marne underestimated the British. General Foch's attack is not an effort to break the German front. Ho has not had timo to collect troops for a far-reaching offensive, so wo must not expect tlio Franco-American advanco to bo carried much further."—Aus -N.Z. C'ablo Assn.

CROWN PRINCE'S PLANS UPS ET. (Kec. July 21, 5.5 p.m.) London, July 1!). General Maurice opines that General Xlangiu's attack -upset the Crown Prince's plans. "Ho is in great difficulties. It is evident mat the Germans Jiave men to throw into the Oat tie, and tliey are fighting liard. The Allies have already achieved great things, hut we must avoid premature predictions of an enemy disaster. Tlio vital point is Soissons. Ttte retention of Montagno de Paris scans certain, 'i'lis Germans have had to discontinue attacks at this point. They also may draw in the remainder of the Crown Prince's reserves, whilo the enemy, in order to readjust his lines, may liavo to retire a considerable distance. Unless they are able to deprive tlio French of their gains there is a chance it may prove a definite German defeat. The initiative has passed to the French, ami tlie whole German position between Soissons and Reims is endangered. Wo have neutralised the Crown Prince's army, and he will have his work cut out to extricate himself from his present position. On the other hand. I'rince Rupprccht's group, between Montdulier and the Channel, possesses formidable reserves, it is probable that these will be used against the British front. It is unlikely the Germans will throw p-ood money after bad, therefore they will probably only use sufficient troops to prevent the situation becoming a defeat and throw their forces in elsewiiere. The enemy failuro in the- Champagne is likely to accelerate a blow between Montdidier and the 6ea, as there is little room for manoeuvre on the British front. It cannot "bo said that the anxiety is altogether ended."—Ans.-N.Z. Cable A^sn. ENEMY USED TWENTY-FIVE DIVISIONS IN AN ABORTIVE OFFENSIVE. (Rec. July 21, 5.5 p.m.) , , London, Julv 10. The enemy used twenty-fivo divisions from his general reserve in an abortive ilrensive, in which ho sulfered very heavy losses. His breakdown was principally due to the accurate estimate of the French Higher Command and the rapidity with which they disposed 'their forces to meet the attack. The French successful counter-stroke may profoundly alter the situat : ou on the Champagne front. The French position on Iho ridgeoverlooking Soissons enables the bombardment of any important network of railways. The enemy in this sector is now entirely dependent on road transport, so that the troops round Chateau Thierry must draw supplies by road for 30 miles.—Aus.N.Z. Cablo Assn. BRITISH ARTILLERY HARASSING THE ENEMY. (Bee. July 21, 5.5 p.m.) London, *uly 1!).. The United Press correspondent, states: "Sir Douglas Ilaig's artillery is giving the Germans "fits." This strengthens the indication that the Allies aro slowly but surely increasing their punch, and in places have the initiative. Ill's guns throughout the Arinentier-is salient and elsewhere arc perpetually pounding the enemy «long the roads, in the support trenches, and reserve positions; also tlio more distant rest billets. Wherever Prince Rupprecht replaces his tired troops by comparatively fresh divisions the British high explosive shells harass tlio moving troops."—A us.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. GERMANS BRING UP LARGE RESERVES. (Rec. July 21, 5.5 p.m.) London, July 10. "The Times" Paris correspondent stairs that the Germans have twenty divisions of reserves between Soissons and Chateau '' lierr.v. Their entry into the battle temporarily cheeked the advance, and was followed by bloody hand-to-liaml fighting all night in (he vicinity of Soissons. The l-'rench field their own, and are again ■ advancing at certain points, but a vigoruus enemy reaction is expected—"The Times." A PERFECTLY-MANAGED ENGAGEMENT. (Kec. July 21, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, July 19. The newspapers publish details of yesterday's fighting, emphasising the rapidity find completeness of the success. "General Mangin's troops between the Aisno and the Ourcq advanced two miles within an hour. The Germans were unable to bring up reinforcements by the railway, which early was under direct fire. They used enormous number's of motors, and threw in troops recklessly, General Jfangin rapidly improved his position, and cleared wood after wood westward of the Savicre River, and pressed on energetically across the plateau. The Americans at the other end of the line, northward of Chateau Thierry, under Geneva! tic Gotte, collected vast reserves overnight, and began to hop over at dawn, behind a terrific barrago. It was a perfectly-managed engagement.—Aus.N.Z. Cablo Assn.

THE WAR IN THE AIR

ACTIVITY OP ALLIED AVIATORS. I (Rec. July 21, 5.5 p.m.) I ■. , T i „ • London, July 20. I Aviators on July IS, in conjunct.with British squavurons, were most i active over the whole battlefield, 'the French felled or disabled twenty ' jununincs and fired lu*o balloon?. The British destroyed seven machines. Our 1 bombers continued the attacks at Hie it arno crossings, and demolished a foot- j bridge. By the use of machine-guns and bombs tliey dispersed combinations of i troops at Oulchy, the Vaux Kavine, Ferc-en-'i'ardenois, and Oeiully. Pmjec- ! tiles wero showered on stations in the rear, causing fires and explosions. Twenty, i two and twenty-one tons of bombs weie dropped by day and by night respec- I lively.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. !

GERMAN WORKS AND STATIONS BOMBED. ' - i (Uec. .Tuly 21, 5.5 p.m.) . ■ , London, July 19. j The Air Ministry reports:—"At night on July 18 we bombed the Ben* ! works at Mannheim, railway stations at Ileidelburg, blast-furnaces at Burbaca and Wadgossen, also an'aerodrome. Two trains were liit bv bombs and brought i to a standstill and fired upon with machine-guns. We attacked a powder'fee- i tory at Obcrndorf, and bursts were observed on tho buildings."—Aus.-N Z. ' Cable Assn.-Reuter. C :

Permanent link to this item
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19180722.2.18.2

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 260, 22 July 1918, Page 5

Word count
Tapeke kupu
5,359

THE ALLIES' BRILLIANT SUCCESS Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 260, 22 July 1918, Page 5

THE ALLIES' BRILLIANT SUCCESS Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 260, 22 July 1918, Page 5

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