FOCH'S GREAT COUNTER-STROKE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 261, 23 July 1918, Page 5

FOCH'S GREAT COUNTER-STROKE

PRESSURE ON THE ENEMY INCREASED • BRITISH APPEAR ON THE SCENE By Telograph-Presa Association-Copyright. ' London, July 21. _ The late', v , of the Fronch counler-olfensivo is highly encouraging. Despite vigorous resistance, the average d.pth of the advance is five miles, and the deepest point reached seve>i miles. The Marne is in high flood. The Germans counter-altacked .-it many points, but were repulsed. So far 18,910 prisoners and 36i guns, mostly field pieces, with one battery of heavy guns, have been counted. Tt has been ascertained that the Germans used twenty divisions on a twenty-threD mile front.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. BRITISH TROOPS IN THE COUNTER-OFFENSIVE FRIGHTFUL PLIGHT OF GERMAN DIVISIONS. i . " (Sec. July 22, 7.45 p.m.) London, July 21. Renter's correspondent at French Headquarters, writing on the morning of July 21, says: "The. British troops participated in the battle for the first tireo yesterday morning, between .Reims and the Marne and in the region of the Ardre, They took up their positions at night time, and attacked immediately, with complete success, advancing over a milo. Eight enemy divisions which had crossed to the.south bank of the Marne were never able to cros3 the hills overlooking the river from the south. None of thoso who lived to reeross the river will forget their five terrible days spent south of ithe Marne. The ground they held was overlooked everywhere by the Franco-American artillery observers. They wero enclosed in a narrow space between the river and the hills, and they offered a sure target to our artillery. For food and munitions they depended on transport across bridges which wero constantly shelled and also regularly bombed by the FrancoBritish airmen. They were never able to l bring across any artillery heavier than mountain guns and light minenwerfer (mine-throwers), owing to tho superiority of our artillery. They found themselves in the. same position as did the Austirinns on tho 60iith bank of tho Piave. Their communications wero uncertain and unsafe, and their losses from artillery fire wero startling, 50 percent, of tke total strength in some units being casualties."—Router. THE NEW FRONT (Rcc. July 22, 8 p.m.) ' London, July 21. The Australian Press Association .correspondent learns that tho French captured this morning the village of Brasles, a milo to the eastward of Chateau Thierry. Their line includes the bights northward of Brasles, which givo a good bridgehead front to tho town. The line westwnrd of Reims leaves the enemy a strip about 13 miles along the Marne Valley, its greatest depth being four miles. This is all the enemy retains of tho results of his offensive. There w<s much fluctuating fighting there on Saturday. British divisions gained the villages of Marfaux, Ceitron, and Courton Wood, but the. German counter-attack retook ■ some of these gains. The Germans liold a lino along the Marne Valley from Reuil to tho east of Chateau Thierry. Their rearguards apparently sacrificed themselves, enabling the main bodies to cross the river, checking the French efforts to push detachments across. 'The French pressure between the Aisne and .tho Marne is continuing heavily, and also in tho Ourcq Valley, where they are approaching Oulchy lo Chateau, tho largest town in tho neighbourhood. They have also reached a point near the village of Hartcnnes, on the high road and railway from Soissons to Chateau Thierry. The enemy's situation on the Marne is becoming more difficult every hour. ,Tho Germans must either clean' the French off the railway or flatten the salient by withdrawing troops from north of the Marne. The enemy Is still fighting hard, bringing fresh troops and delivering local attacks, but is unable to hold up the French advance, which is now from six to eight and 6 half miles deep on 22 miles of front—Ans.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

TERRIFIC TORNADO FROM THE FRENCH BATTERIES ENEMY'S LOSSES ESTIMATED AT FIFTY PER CENT. (B<!C. July 22, 7.30 p.m.) ■ , Paris, July 21. TJeutflr'a correspondent says: "Tho Germans endeavoured' to cover (heir retreat across tho Marne by releasing great cohimns of gas and opening a banrago of fire from tho north bank. Tho French replied with a terrible fire, squiills of shells, and a rain of machine-gun bullets. Bombs destroyed tho bridges, and tho batteries covered both banks of the river with projectiles. The enemy lost 50 per rent, of his clfectivos before he completed tho evacuation bf the south bank. — Router. THE OFFICIAL REPORTS FRENCH RE-ENTER CHATEAU THIERRY. Tho New Zealand High Commissioner reuorts:— London, July 21, 2.5(1 p.m. A French official report states: "Our troops entered Chateau Thierry this morning." ,' Tho High Commissioner reports:London, ,lulf 2(1, 2.,'i0 a.m. A French official report state: "Woadiauced beyond 2>feuilly and captured heights east of La Croix and Grisollcs. Tho Frunco-Americaus crossed tho Manic and threw tho Germans back beyond tho Bezy-St.-Germaiu-Mont St. Pore liue. Wo raptured Sainto Ephmiso and Bouillj. Clmtonu Thierry has been largely cleared to tho northwards. THE FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE London, July 21. A French communique states: "The result of our victorious counter-ofi'cn-siro was soon apparent. The Germans wore violently attacked on their right flank, and those south of tho Marno were compelled to retreat across the river. We hold the whole of tho south bank. Tho French and Americans, between the Aisne and tho Marne, continue to progress, and havo driven back Ihe enemy, who is resisting stubbornly. Wo havo reached Proisay, Farcy, and Tigny, arid have passed St. lieray Blanzy and Bozct-S't. Albin. Farther south wo hold the general lino of the I'rilz Plateau, north-east of Courchamps. Violent fighting is in progress between the Marno and Reims. French and British troops, attacking vigorously, encountered large forces, but, notwithstanding Ihe desporate enemy resistance, wo gained ground in Courban Wood, in the Ardre Valley, and towards St. Euphraise. The number of prisoners since Thursday exceeds 20,000, end over four hundred guns have been captured."—Aus.-N.Z, ,Cablo Assn. (Rec July 22, 7.45 p.m.) London, July 21. 120 p.m. A French communique states: "French troops entered Chateau Thierry this morning. Violent fighting is proceeding north and south of the Ourcq and betweou the Marne and Reims. In spite of desperate' resistance wo continicd to make progress."-Aue.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.

LATEST COMMUNIQUE-GREAT DRIVE DEVELOPING.

(Hoc. July 23, 0.10 a.m.) London, July 22, t.iO a.m. A French, official communique stales:—"The balllo continues under tavomublo conditions along tho whole front between the Mimic tinil Mm Aisne. Our troops north of the Oiucq aro driving buck the enemy, who is striving to arrest our advance. We made progress in tho fighting in the region north of Ville Mont Oire. Further south we are advancing cast of tho Parcy-Tigny-Boilly-sur-Oijrcq line. South of the Ourcq we have made a big advance beyond Ncuilly St. Front, and captured Mio heights east of La Croix and Grissoles. Umlw the doublo pressure of the Franco-American? operating between Hhe Ourcq (ho Marne, and of the French who crossed tho river between Fossoy and Char'he <"Tnians have ken driven beyond the line of Bezusl, Germain, and Mont St. Fere. Chateau Thierry is practically cleared. Northwards, between till! Manic and Reims, there has been most violent battle all day. Franco-Brit-ish troops, in conjunction with the Italians, aro tirelessly attacking largo enemy forces. Wo captured St. Euphraiso and Uouilly, and gained ground in tho Ardro Valley. The British at C'outton Woods captured four guns ami four hundred prisoners, including cloven officers, of whom two aro colonels."—Aus.-, N,Z. Cublq Assn.-Reuter. THE AMERICAN REPORT London, July 31. Ail American communique states: "Between the Aisno and the Mnrno wo again broke tho enemy's resistance, and continued to advanco, taking many additional prisoners."—Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assu.-Rcuter. "NOTHING TO REPORT," ON THE BRITISH FRONT (Rec July 22, 10.15 p.m.) London, July 21. Sir Douglas H'aig states: "There is nothing to report."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eouter. THE ENEMY'S REPORT (Rec. July 22, 9.55 p.m.) London, July 21. A German official report states:—"Wo repulsed an English attack between Beaumont aud Hamel, and also east and south-east of Itebutcrne. Enemy attacks against Soissons from the south-west collapsed. Tho enemy seven times attack the Soissons-Chateau Thierry Road. His assault north-west of Hartennes broke down. We drove him back south-west of Hartennes. We held positions north-west of Chateau Thierry against repeated American Wo withdrew undisturbed our defences north and north-east of Chateau Thierry. An English and Franco-Italian attack between the Marne and north of the Ardro failed. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. (Eec. July 22, 10.55 p.m.) London, July 22. The German evening official report states: "French attacks between the Ai6no and the Home failed. Fresh fighting developed this evening between the Aisne and Ourcq."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable A6sn.-Eeuter. THE GERMAN RETREAT FROM CHATEAU THIERRY ROADS CHOKED WITH TROOPS. (Rec. July 22, 10.20 p.m.) • Paris, July 22. The reconquost of Chateau Thierry, which was one of the pivotal points of the Marno salient, was a serious blow to the Germans, whose position at Soisfions, tho other principal pivot, is also known to bo critical. The French joyously entered the town, from which the German retreat resembled a disorderly light. The road to Fcrc-en-Ta'rdcnoro was choked with retreating columns, who were frightfully harried by the aviators' bombs and machine-gun fire. Tho enemy is also retreating from places along th(> Chateau Thiorry-Soissons Road. They have evacuated Oulchy le Chateau.. General do Goutte reports-. "We have broken the enemy's resistance on the Courchamps Plateau, northward of Chateau Thierry, while the French have crossed the road in the neighbourhood of Hartennes."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. , DEFINITELY DEFEATED ON CHATEAU THIERRY SECTOR (Eec. July 23, 1.30 a.m.)

London, July 22. The "Times" Paris correspondent, writing on Sunday evening, states: "The French continue to progress beyond Chateau Thierry, and have occupied Etrepilly, three miles to tho north, whiah mirks the definite.defeat of tho enemy on this sector. Tho evacuation of Chateau Thierry largely resembled a flight on tho southern front. Above Chateau Thierry the resistance was gradually broken up. The northern forces nro still resisting on a series of salients formed (round the villages along the Soissons Road. The Americans took, lost, and recaptured Vierzy, tinder most difficult conditions, in a few hours—"The Times." THE LATEST NEWS-ENEMY SORELY PRESSED (Rec. July 22, 10.40 p.m.) London, Julv 22. Reuter's correspondent at French Headquarters, writing on the evening of July 21, says: "The latest news is that the French hold tho heights around Chateau Thierry, and are thus enabled to dominate a large area. Tho French havo reached Oulchy lo Chateau, further ondangering the enemy on the Marne. Tho latest reports state that the French here havo advanced between six and nine miles. The enemy, sorely pressed, made frantic attempts to counter-attack witl; fresh troops, but did not succeed in loosening the French grip ou the railway roads. Tho enemy appears to have incorporated a new army between the Marne and tho Aisne, the staff of which is composed of officers from tho Ukraine, whoso staff work indicates slackness and disorganised effort,"—Reuter. . 17,000 PRISONERS ACTUALLY COUNTED UP TILL JULY 19 (Rec. July 23, 1.30 a.m.) Washington, July 22. General Pershing reports that the number of prisoners actually counted up to July 19 numbered i 7,000. The Allies also took s(io guns.—"Tho Timcß.'' COMMENTS ON THE SITUATION CROWN PRINCE IN DIFFICULTIES. O London, July 21. Tho newspapers are featuring! the precipitate retreat of Ihe Germans across the Marne, and the new onslaught south-west of Reims and in the valley of the Ardre, in which the British nre now sharing tho honours of Foch's glorious victory. The consensus of opinion is thnt, with his right wing smashed in, the Crown Prince, under the latest pressure brought to bear on the ether wing of his recent advance, is still in a position of increasing jeopardy. The French and American artillery borages on Saturday hampered the withdrawal of many German detachments. The Franco-Amorican troops are constantly rounding up fugitive Germans. The net result of the enemy's southward push is enormous losses. Many prisoners describo how the German divisions along tho entire front wero broken'by tho Allied artillery and rifle fire and the close-range fighting. Airmen report congestion of movement on the German roals north-cast of Chateau Thierry-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. "WE MUST BE COOL AND PRUDENT" London, July 2(1. Colonel Ropinglon estimates that during the four months' campaign the German losses cannot be less than six hundred thousand. Their successive efforts show steadily diminishing results, while tho Allies' hopes for the future are greater. Ho attributes von Ludcndorff's reluctance to attack Amiens or the.north and the avoidance of Reims to internal German troubles, while his strategy is affected by the dread of losing men. "The cheerful Tommies arc convinced thnt they can ilo what they like with the rest of the German armies. When the scales are' beginning to turn to our side wo must be cool and prudent. Tho Americans arc- tho last army of reserve of civilisation. The Allies must not open a great offensive uulil their superiority of forcowill ensure victory."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. « INITIATIVE EVERYWHERE WITH THE ALLIES ,Rcc. July 22, 10.0$ p.m.) London, July 22. Mr Gerald Campbell, writing on July 21, states: "Tho initiative everywhere remains with tho Allies. Tho attack is proceeding on eighty miles of front, owing to the re-establishment,of Chateau Thierry i.s a solid pivot, it is probamo that tho enemy will be forced to fall back before General de Goutte'fi army in th" sector from Chateau Thierry to ,tho Forest of Villors Cotteret. otherwise ho will bo obliged to defend an awkward salient. A pronounced French advance is more likely hero immediately than further north. Tho British, after some advanco ' between tho Marno and Reims, are meeting with strong opposition near Marfaux."—"Tho Times." CONSTERNATION IN GERMANY Amsterdam, July 21. The German newspapers display tho utmost bewilderment at the shattering of von Ludcndorff's offensive. Somo charge deserters with betraying his plans.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. TREACHERY BLAMED. Amsterdam, Julii 21. The "Cologno Zeilung," after declaring that a deserter utilised his knowledge . of the plans for the German operations to betray tho Fatherland, says: ".It is impossible to deny that the offensive has failed. The German people anxiously and patiently await the new decisions demanded by the situation." Tho "Frankfurter Zoitung" says that General Foch has warded off the German blow at the expense of great losses, but his counter-offensive has failed, and freedom of action remains-in tho German hands. The "Cologne Gazette" says: "We must concede the loss of prisoners and guns, but the enemy's leading idea, the break-through, is unattaincd.' Tho counter-offensive was held up before it attained any strategic advance worth mentioning."-Reuter. OPINION IN HOLLAND Amsterdam, July 21. Dutch papers regard the serious blow to Germany as amounting to an Allied victory. Tlia "Telograaf" says: "Anything may happon now."-Jteuter.