GREAT ADVANCE BY THE ALLIES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 271, 5 August 1918, Page 5

GREAT ADVANCE BY THE ALLIES

THE FRENCH COMPLETELY HOLD 'SOISSONS ' MORE THAN FIFTY VILLAGES RECOVERED . / By Telegraph-Press Aesociatioh-.-CoprrisM. (Rec. August i, 5.5 p.m.) £ Paris, August 3, evening. Semi-official—The capture of the heights north of Grand Hozoy was desperately resisted. The woods, villages, and thickets were so many fortresses, swarming- with, machine-guns, but the- assault was assisted by tanks, which pressed . ' with such vigour that tho chief portions were captured after two houns. A'iolent counter-attacks were superbly met. By the evening the Germans were fleeing northward. The-French completely hold Soissons. The cathedral lias been shelled adid riddled. Yesterday's progress on a front of over 30 miles between Soiseons- :and leims reached an average depth of 2 to 2$ miles, and in some places nearly 4 miles. S'onic-of the pursuing elements have already reached the Vesle. The. ietreating enemy is burning the crops and villages. Braisnes and Fismes ard in. ffaj-nes.—Router. ~„;.,„ New York, August 2. Tto Germans are burning villages as they Tetreat. The Allies have captured Harteinnes (eight miles south of Soissons, on the road to Oulchy).—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ' . ■ ■ (Rec. August 4, 5,5 p.m.) New York, August 3. Fismies is in flames. The Germans have retired'cast of tho Ardrc. The French Tiavei reached tho Aisne east of Soissons, near Venizel, and secured a big haul of prisonars. After Soissons was captured tho enemy retreat became general. Tho Allies are preparing to cross the river Vesle—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. : THE VESLE-ABDBE LINE PROBABLY TURNED. ■ '. ' ,Rec. August 4, 5.5 p.m.) , Washington, August 3.' -• It is •probable, that the Ve*le-Ardre line has already been turned. The AngloFrench priundingdireotly caused thefall of Soissons. The Germans .retreated without burying their dead, and leaving enormous quantities of guns and supplies. A tether ad.van.co"is cxpected.-Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. ■ ' ■ • ' • ' ' GERMANS MAY RETIRE TO THE AISNE (Rec. August 4, 5.5 p.m.) London, August 3. ' Beater's correspondent at French Headquarters, writing at 11 o'clock on the evening of -August 2. states that the retreat is general. The German!, -lay hold onto tholinoof-the Vesle, but it is possibli they will be obliged to retire to th» Aisne. Anyiray, they have 'ost all they gained in the offensive of May. June, and July. Tho question now is .whether they will risk the remainder of the reserves in a sudden blow on another part of the front. If they decide to tempt fortune again they wrill find the Allied armies ready. The British are now pressing through a wood a mile east of Villo'Montoire. The French Army is advancing steadily. Cavalry patrols are far advanced, and horse artillery and engineers are accompanying the infantry. It has bsen raining heavily all day, and the ci nditiou of tho roiids retards the advance—Reuter. —r. GERMAN MORAL GREATLY WEAKENED. (!?ec. August I, 5.5 p.m.) Washington, Av.RU.jt 3. '"' There is greart rejoicing at the French entry into Soissons, which is hailed as an important victory. Semi-official ndviees show that the German inoral is greatly weakened by the, Allies' swocm. The German officers are r.c\v so ci.iaged that they have ordered,the Hermans to shoot any Allied soldiers - attempting to bury the deador.irecover the wounded.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assd. ' / OFFICIAL REPORTS The High Commissioner repcris:— London, August' 3, 9 n.m. A French official report states: "We have reached Courville and Champigny. • .Mote than fifty vilJiiges wero recovered yesterday." . ■ ■ ' . THE FRENCH COMMUNIQUES \ , ' . London, August 2. A French commu'niquie states: "North of the Ourcq, French and British units drove hack* the enemy-from his positions between Plessier-ITulon and the river. We carried a height; north of Grand Rozoy, advanced beyond tho Tillage of Beugneux,. and Crnmoiselle and Cramaille, realising here an aiivnnce of two miles. Farther fo the south we look possession of Cierges and the Meunier Wood north of tho IDormans-Heims Road. After desperate fighting we conquered tho village of Romignwy. Since July 15, on the Marue-Champagne front, wo have taken 33,400 piiscmers, ''nchwling 671 ofticers."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Rculcr. (Rec. August 4, 5.5-p.m.) London, August 2. A French communique states: "The attack of the last two days by the French and Allied hoops north of tho Marne obtained a complete success. Hard pressed on the wnolo lino, the Germans have been forced to abandon the position of resistance which they lia,d organised between Fere-en-Tardenois and Ville-cn-Tardenois and' oo expedite their Tetreat. On the left French troops have entered Soissons. Further south'we crossed the Crise on 1 its whole length. In the centre we progressed on a wide front north of tho Ourcq. We advanced beyond Arcy and Sainte Reitiue and penetrated thc.Bois de v Dole. Further cast we took. possession of "Conlonges. 'On tho right we took possession of Goussancourt Villers, Aou<my, arid Ville-en-Tard'enois. On this part of the front we carried onr lines ' over 5 three miles north of the Dormans-Reims Road on the general line of Vzilly and Echery. Betwe&n the Ardre and the Vesle we occiipied Gucux and " Thillois. During July 31 seven German aeroplanes were brought down and 22 tons of explosives were dropped on aviation grounds between the Aisne and the Vesle, and on cantonments: .and bivouacs in the valleys of the Ardre and the Vesle!"—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assm.-Rcuter. * ' (Rec; August 4, 5.5 p.m.) London, August 3. A French communique, issued on August 3 at 4.50 p.m. states: "Burin" the night our troops continued to advance towards the Vesle, and they havo reached the Aisne between' Soissons and Venizel."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Eeu-ter. AMERICAN REPORTS London, August 2. An American communique sttatcs: "There have been vigorous local actions on the Ourcq arisin" out of Wir attacks and enemy counter-attacks at several points. We captured the. village of Cierges, and advanced beyond. Otherwise the • situation in this vicinity is unchanged.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. (Rec. August 4, 5.5 p.m.). i ' London, August 3. An American official report of August 2 states: "Yesterday, on the line of the Ourcq, in hard lighting, we captid'ed Hill 230, southward of Coulonges, and the i woods eastward of the hill. On. thai morning of August 2 the enemy commenced' to fall back, and we are in close pursuit. Our advance has already progressed to a depth of five miles, and continues. Our aviators successfully bombed a railroad, station, and yards at Conilans, causing several fires and a largo explosion." —Aus.-N.Z. Cable AssnXßeutcr. \ ON THE 'BRITISH FRONT London, August 2. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "There- is increased hostile artillery action south of the Sommo and south of Ypre9."-r:Aus,-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Bcuter.

(Rec, August 4, 5.5 p.m.) London, August 3, 1.30 a.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "We raided eastward of Dickebusch Lake and repulsed a raid in tho neighbourhood of Foughy. Our patrols occupied a portion of the enemy front lino in the Aibcrt sector. The hostile artillery is active between Bethuno and Baillcul."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aesn.-Reuter. TUE GERMAN REPORT (Rec. August 4, 5.5 p.m.) London, August 2, 11.40 p.m. A wireless Gorman official rejoit states: "We repulsed attacks on the feent and on both sides of Ville Montoire, and as far southward as Hartcnnes. Strong Franco-British forces attacked from « lino northward of Grand Kozoy and J>;e-eu-Tardenois. Their canks, on both sides of Beugneux, crossed our front lines and reached the heights northward of Beugneux, but were shot to pieces. Wo sanguinarily repulsed infantry attaj'ss. Enemy attacks northward of Cierges oiso failed."—Aus.-N._Z. Cable Assn.-Router. GENERAL BERTHELOT PRAISES BRITISH HEROISM AUSTRALIANS AND NEW ZEALANDERS MENTIONED. (Rec. August 4, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, August 3. General Berthclot, commanding between the Marne and Reims, in an Army Order to the British, Australian, and New Zealand troops, says: "Directly you arrived you threw your army corps ardently into tho struggle, harassing the enemy in tho Ardro Valley, which is so liberally sprinkled with* German blood. Thanks to tho proverbial heroism and tenacity of the Britons, you mauled four onemy divisions and took prisoner 1300 Germans, 141) machine-guns, and 40 cannon. All added to a glorious pago in your history: Marfaux, Chaumuzy, and Bligny must be, inscribed with letters of gold in tho annals of your regiments. France will remember with deep emotion your brilliant bravery and perfect comradeship in the battle."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. PERFECT ORDER OF THE BRITISH CORPS. (Rec. August 4, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, August 3. Mr, G. Pcrris, describing General Berthelot's reception of the Britons, Australians, and New Zealanders who marched past the general along the road within the enemy's gunfire, cays that what every Frenchman murmured was, "Just look at their stride, how sturdy they are. They must bo a fresh division." .Mr. Pern's says: "The Frenchmen were wrong. The British corps had been fighting for ten'days ceaselessly and taken a brilliant part in defeating the Crown Prince, but they swung along to the sound of the bagpipes and brass bands in perfect order, though some companies wore sadly thinned.. All were brushed clean of trench mud, tho rifles were polished, the horses were well gloomed, and the wagons were spotless. They fully deserved General Berthelot's praise—Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn. 1 DISPATCHES FROM THE CORRESPONDENTS IMPORTANCE OF THE LATEST SUCCESS. London, August 2. Router's correspondent at Fircnch Headquarters, writing on the evening of August 1, states:' General Mangin's army attacked during the morning between Plessier-Huleu and Fere-on-Tardenois. Tho troops made good progress, and oc copied Hill 205. The operation is highly interesting, because it gives us a view of the enemy's rear to Fismes, and puts tho euoiny in the Hartennes-Sarcv salient in a very awkward position. English and Scottisli troops co-operated with tho French in tho attack. The infantry attacked at four in the nwrning, aided by squadrons of light tanks, which were vory useful in this region of deep valleys and steep hillsides.. The enemy resisted strongly. Every thicket hid a. machinegun; the woods and villages were all organised (is fortresses and had to be outflanked and taken singly. Nevertheless the Allies advanced considerably, and by (i o'clock the important Hill 205, a mile north-east of Grand Rozoy, was taken. Two hours later tho British and French forces hnd taken up new positions on the captured- ground. The Germans defended themselves mainly with mach-ine-guns, and made little uso of artillery. They counter-attacked heavily farther north against the Scottish at whero out' troops are holding magnificently."—Rcutcr. Germans Pay Dearly for Misuse of Red Cross. The Paris correspondent of the "Daily News" gives remarkable details of the Americans' forty-eight liouts battle for Seigy. No prisoners were taken. The Germans had received orders to throw the Americans back to tho left bank of tho Ourcq. An American battalion took an oath that they would be killed to the last man rather than retreat. The GermansSnade fourteen'attacks, but the. Americans held firm. The Germans Hew a Red Cross (lag from the ruined church in Stogy, which was a nest of machine-guns. The earliest American attackers, seeing tho flag, advanced in tho open, butiwere mown down by tho machine-gunners, the Germans naid heavily for the ruse; their losses - were terrible. Finally 300 Germans defending tho Coulonges Road wero surrounded and exterminated with tho bayonet.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Important Heights Captured. (Roc. August 4*5.5 p.m.) London, August 3. Mr. G. Perris, writing on Fridav morning, says that intense fighting ensued wh<m Gener il Mangin resumed the offensiva between Plessier-Huleu and Fere-en-Tardenois, to the north of the Ourcq. Tho British joined tho Frcnqh onslaught, which resulted in tho capture of a number of strongly-organised villages and woods, and important heights commanding the sole railway by winch tho Germans arc bringing up food, ammunition, and reliefs for the sorely-harassed troops. Every thicket and hamlet was a miniature fortress, .bristling with machineguns'; but they-failed to stav tho Allies' rapid advance. The important village of Hartcnnes, which was the scene of most desperato combats a. week ago when tho Allies were crossing tho Soissons road, was captured.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. COMMENT ON THE SITUATION IMMEDIATE CAUSE OF THE RETREAT. (Rec. August 4, 5.5 p.m.) London, August 3. ' The evening of the anniversary of France's' entry into tho war was appropriately marked by the stirring news that tho Crown Prince's army was again in full retreat. The immediate cause of lh<> retreat is the brilliant success of the armies under Generals Mangin and de Goutte north of the Ourcq, who effected a junction at a right angle, enabling a banning to be made on August 1 of tho task of clearing the important ridge dividing the Criae and tho Ourcq. Tho British in General Mangin's army started the operation from Grand Rozoy, the French co-operating. They carried not merely the summit, but the reverse slopo of the ridge, securing observation behind the Hartenues Plateau. Meanwhilein the centre an enemy bastion in Meuni to Wood, two'square miles in extent, was carried. Thus the enemy's hope of establishing his line has disappeared. He, indeed, has already suffered a strategic disaster owing to tho reversal of the strategical position brought about bv Genera! Foch's counter-stroke, and his hasty retirement upon the - Vesle cannot bo easy, as the only good road available passes Coulonges, which the French cap'ured yesterday. The-Allies' guns are now within range of Bazcches, where the only railway connection from the north crosses the Vesle. into the salient, and al ; n to Fisnws, which is the main storehouse for the Gepnaii offensive, while TSraisne, between Bazoclies and Soissons, through which the main road out of the wlient passes, is also exposed to gunfire. ITeneo the experts are noiv prophesying that tho withdrawal is likely to continuo ova: the Aisne—Renter. , CROWN PRINCE'S OFFENSIVE REGARDED AS COLLAPSED. (Rec. August 4, 5.5 p.nO London, August 3. Military critics state that the Germans have now put in seventy-two divisions in the latest attempt, including eleven from. Prince Rupprecht's army. Eight of the latter have been in the line twice. The Germans have used ihe equivalent of eighty divisions since July 15. Tho Alles have used nothing like that number. The main enemy difficulty is to, keep the battalions up to strength. The Allies' reserves in this iiunrter are larger than the enemy's. The critics declare that in •the face of the latest developments, no matter whether we kill the Germans southward or northward of the Aisne, tho situation generally is satisfactory, beyond tho most optimistic calculation of a few weeks ago. The completeness of tho success is evidenced by tho fact that the French and British batteries at 8 o'clock wero'established on the ground from which began the drive of the enemy at 4 o'clock. The Germans were onlv able to use artillery to the smallest extent, and were compelled to rely on machine-guns, which were steadily silenced. The Germans' casualties are of tho hfaviest. Their bravery is unquestionable to the the point of hopelessness. Tho advance showed the splendid combination of the British, French, and the Americans. Tho Crown Prince's offensive may be regarded as collapsed, at least until September, when the newest German recruits will appear in tho fiold—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SITUATION EXTRAORDINARILY GOOD! London, August 2. The operation west of the Crise is probably tho most important since thoGerman retirement from- the Marne bpgan. because the ground gained commands the whole area to tho north-west as far as the River Crise, and probably to the Aisne and the Vesle. It attack' tho flank and rear of the whole western ■gatepost of the pocket, through which tho "Germans have been retiring, and on which the safety of their retirement depends. The valley of tho Crise is a nest of German reserves and field artillery. The importance of the operation is almost incalculable. It is difficult to see how the enemy can posisbly avoid a'retirement at. all speed beyond the Vesle, and also how he will be safe until he sets there. Most interesting developments may shortly he expected. The situation is regarded as extraordinarily good. Home circles regard the latest movement as the turningpoint of the summer campaign, and possibly of the whole war. The enemy can only remedy it by a successful coifntcr-nttack, or by employing heavy forces to stave off the retreat. Tf he fights his utmost, it will be all the better for us. He will use un more divisions and suffer greater wastage. The situation on the whole of the West front is now good. Tho enemy's numerical superiority is very small-Ausz-N.Z. Cable Assn. GERMAN OPERATIONS COSTLY IN MEN AND MATERIAL. (Rec. August 4, 5.5 p.m.) London, August 3. Persistent reports from Germany indicate that the nigh Command hold tho conviction that the war must bo concluded, whether it is won, lost, or drawn, before 1919. The German activities during the past, four months on Hie West front were conducted on a more costly scale, than a rational command would permit. The indications arc that tho headstrong policy is aiming at results regardless of the loss of men and material. The German casualties have been very great, but accurate oulciilatinns are impossible. Another two months of fighting on the same scale would nut tho Allies in an immensely superior position. Although Germany has called up this year 409.000 recruits, the quality is poor, because the best have already boon taken. The scarcity of food and other conditions of distress in Germany have had a severe effect and arc reflected upon tho Army.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Ass.n. FOUR YEARS OF BITTER EXPERIENCE PROSPECTS FOR FIFTH YEAR OF WAR. MUCH BRIGHTER. London, August 2. General Mnurice, writing in the "Daily Chronicle," says-. "Kritain cannot look hack .with much satisfaction on the fourth year of war. She muddled through u period of great peril. We may say with a thankful heart that the prospects for the fifth year arc much brighter than we had reason to anticipate a few weeks ago. W« must admit that after four years of bitter experience wo havenot yot learned how to wage war. Tho Germans are not'our superiors in . generalship. Our failures wero mainly due to tho fact that our statesmen did

not realise that, for military advice to be effective, there must bo organised consultations by statesmen with the individual commanders instead of discussions involving delayed action. If this year of war is to bo the last, the Government must organise the war machinery on scientific lines, equip tlio General Staff to give advico and take no other, and also ensure that plans of action aro prepared in due time."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE WAR IN THE AIR AIR MINISTRY'S REPORT. London, August 2. The Air Ministry reports: "A squadron started out to bomb Cologne, but became enveloped iii clouds and turned and dropped bombs on Ge-nian batterhs at Duren, causing fires. All the machines returned. A second fornution attacked the railway shops at Treves. These were heavily attacked by large numbers of hostile machines, of which three were destroyed. One British machine has not returned."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S REPORT, .'Rec. August i, 5.5 p.m.) London,. August 3. Sir Douglas Haig Tcnorls: "Our aviitors dropped over 24 tons of bombs on August 1. A large number were directed against an aerodrome from Ji very low altitude and greatly damaged the hangars. Six hangars and sUteen machines were set on fire. One machine was blown to pieces on tlio ground. We bjoug'it down twelve, aeroplanes and drove down three. Onr night-flyers also brought down two night bombers over oiw cwn aerodrome. Two British machine are missing AVo at night-timo dropped ten tons on railway lino 3, stations, and aerodromes. -Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eeute.". THE ADMIRALTY REPORT. .(Rec. August i, 5.5 p.m.) London, August 2. Tho Admiralty reports: "Our Adriatic formation co-operated with Italian nir forces in recent raids at Cattaro and Durazzo and in land operations at Valona. We raided bridges and stations on an Oriental railway, 'damaging tho line, rolling stock, and buildings. In other raids wc sank one and damaged two caiques northward of Imbros. Wc bombed a new aerodrome at Uzunkcuitri and twice raided Nagaona and Galata on July 2G-28, starting fires. We successfully bombed a basin and dockyard at Constantinople. Further reports state that fifteen tons of bombs wore dropped on the Zeobrngge and Bruges" docks and on Ostend. We also bombed enemy shipping in the same waters, directly hitting a destroyer, with two thirty-pound bombs, causing columns of smoke to "arise. Between July 25 and 31 we destroyed fifteen aeroplanes and shot down twelve out of control. Five British machines, of which one landed in Holland, have not returned. A British seaplane was shot down in flames. \ Two of tho crew were drowned."—Aus.-N/Z. Cable Assn.-Houter. . ,