GERMANS RETIRING ON THE BRITISH FRONT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 273, 7 August 1918, Page 5

GERMANS RETIRING ON THE BRITISH FRONT

MYSTERIOUS MOVEMENT ■ON THE ANCRE

FIGHTING ON TOE- VESLE

OCEAN ASSASSINS AGAIN

HOSPITAL SHIP SUNK BY A PIRATE

T-he news from the Marno region of the Western front discloses do material developments. The French light forces operating on ihe Vesle arc encountering strong resistance. The enemy is also withdrawing on the front between Itonldtfior and Morouil, while on tho Ancre a retiring movement, the object of which is not yet discernible, has betn begun by tho Germans. Present indications point to tho abandonment foT 'he present of the German offensive plans! There is unparalleled gloom in tho Fatherland, and von Ludendorff is obviously concerned over die perplexing question of man-power. The estimated losses to tho Crown Prince's (irmies aro forty thousand prisoners alcno. Tho enemy has addsd another sinister urimo to his already long list in the annals of the war by a brutal attack on the hospital hip Warilda, which • sank in two hours, with the loss of about fifty' lives.

STRONG RESISTANCE ON THE VESLE

FRENCH ADVANCE AT MONTDIDIER GERMANS RETIRING ON THE ANCRE FRONT By Telograph-Prees AflMctatioh-Copyright. New York, August 5. The Germans aro making a stand along portion of the Vosle- River. Tho wet weather is favouring them. General Mnngin's army (has captured five hundred guns.—Aus.-N.Z. C'ablo Assn. THE ADVANCE AT MONTDIDIER, London, August 5. Tho French havo reached tho railway between Montdidier and Amiens.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. THE FIGHT FOR THE VESLE London, August 5. The enemy has retired to tho north bank of the Vesle.' The French crossed the river in four places, in spite of stubborn resistance by strong rearguards, who destroyed most of the bridges.' The French made further progress in the noMibourliood of Soissons, and cantnrod Hie suburb of St. Vaast, which gives control of the river bend east of the town. The Germans are withdrawing opposite tho British front between JFontdiclicr and Moreinl. 'Hid British are following un ■ They havo occupied tho villages ol Hamel and Dernaneourt. Die situation is generally regarded as highly satisfactory. There are indications that tho enemy does not intend to make a permanent stand on Ihe Aisne, and will probnblv 'retreat to the Chemin dea Dames, which is one of the strongest positions in France. Meanwhile he is endeavouring to hold up the French advance while withdrawing his vast accumulations of stores and munitions.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

CROWN PRINCE'S LOSSES IN PRISONERS 40,000. London, August 5. Since the Crown Princ'e began to re treat his armies have fallen back twenty miles, and have lost forty thousand prisoners.-Keuter. OFFICIAL REPORTS ALLIED ATTACK ON THE VESLE. London, August 5. ■V French official communique states:—"We reached tho Vcslo at several points east of Fismes. The enemy rearguards* resisted strongly, notably betweeii Muizon and Champigny. Our light elements, nevertheless, gained a footing at "various points o:i the north bank. Fisnics is ours. Wo gained ground northward of Eeims, as far as the village of Nouvillclte, Avhich the enemy is defending vigorously."-Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Aesn.-Reuler. (Rec. August G, 8.-10 p.m.) London,. August 5. , \ French official communique states:—"There is nothing special to report. Our' li»ht units which crossed the Veslo ovcrywhero encountered resistance by tho enomy."-Aus.-N,Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. FISMES TAKEN BY THE AMERICANS London, August 5. An American official message states:— "Wo have taken Fism'es, and hold tho south bank of the Vcelo in this sector."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assii.-Eeutor. TIIE ENEMY'S REPORT . (Rec, August 6-7, midnight.) London, August 5. A wireless German official report elates: "Northward of Montdidier we withdrew from the -nest bank of ibo Avro and Doinbrook. Wo nlso withdrew to tho north bank of tho Veslo before a strong attack on Fismes."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Aesn.-Heuter. FOCH'S DECISION TO STRIKE / A DARING IMPROVISED BLOW. London, July 29. Intimate accounts of Foch's great decision have arrived in London. It appears that the Germans plans were learnt by clever intcilligeuce. Most of Iho essentials wero known a week before the attack, but the date remained a mystery until July U, when information gave the actual hour of attack, enabling a destructive barrage- to be put over whilst the enemy troops wero assembling. Foch's decision to counterattack was based on a study of the psychology of tho German leaders, and the exact positions of tho German man-power. Foch rightly calculated that. Ludendorlf's right flank was weakly guarded, but he had to choose between (ho bringing .up of fresh troops, with the attendant dangers that the Germans would observe the preparations, and (he launching of a coun-ler-stroko with the troops on tbo spot. Ho chose tho latter, and gatherin;,' all tho tanks and other availablo offensive ..power in (he locality, ho hurled it against tho Germans. It was a daring improvised stroke with light forces.—"Sydney Sun's" Special Ecpresentativc. . GERMAN RETIREMENT ON THE BRITISH FRONT WITHDRAWAL FROM ALBER-T REPORTED. ~ , . New York, August 5. The Germans are retiring north-ot I.u Bassee.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. . SIR DOUGLAS lIAIG'S REPORT. _ Tondon, August 5. Sir Douglas Haig reports:— V\o tor \ prisoners in tho neighbourhood of Keu-ville-Vitassc. Tho hostile artillery was active during tho night opposite Lα Bassee, northward of Bellume, and im points between Hazebrouck and Vpres. We drovo off raiders south of Arras."-.Uis.N.Z. Cablo Assn.-lieiiter. (Rec. August 6-7, midnight.) . London, August 5. Sir Douglas Haig reports: ' \yo advanced our posts slightly at l'acaut Wood, east of Jtobecfj. There was hostile- artillery activity south of' Ypres,"—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assii.-Router. THE GERMAN REPORT, London, August 5. A German nflieinl message slates:—"On both sides of Albert wo withdrew our posts, without interfurence, lo the east bank of the Ancrc."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assii.-Ueuter.

I ALBERT SAID TO HAVE BEEN EVACUATED London, August 5. .Mr. Pmivnl Phillips writes:—"Tho German retirement on a twelve-miles front in tho'Albert sector apparently began on Thursday night, when the river was rising. Tho ennmy sent up signal lights all night long, in order to deceive tho British. Tho correspondent understands that Albert has been evacuated, but, as it lies in n hollow exposed to tho uro and oteervation of Iwth sides, it is little moro than a great shell and gas trap."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.

COMMENT ON THE SITUATION

GERMANS DEFINITELY ON THE DEFENSIVE. Paris, August X. Critics consider that tho withdrawal beyond the Vcslo, together with Hie retirement on (lie British front indicates Germany's decision lo definitely abandon offensive tactics for the present. Tho battle has been marked for the complete change in the methods of warfare. Infantry can be seen marching on the roads instead of creeping along communication trenches and eap? nnd wriggling through barbed wire. Widely-extended cavalry scouts precede tho infantry, boldly Bnroading mit over the fields, pausing in and oat of thickets, seeking out enemy detachments nnd machine-gun nests. Since Friday the Germans have retreated between seven and eight miles along the Heims-So'ssons front, evacuating nearly two hundred fqunro miles in forty-eight hours, leaving thousands of unbnried dend. millions of rounds of artillery ammunition, aud vast quantities of other mnterial.-Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.

FAME STSATECV INVOIVffI A GBIMM DEFEAT London, August 5. Correspondents nn the Franco-AiupTican front emphasise tlio importance of the fnct that Iho'Marne salient has disappeared. German leadership during the retirement was seen at its best. The troops have shown no sign of broken spirit. Falso strategy from the outset involved defeat. Villages between tho Vosle and the Aisne are still aflame, nnd tho district reeks witli smoke and the acrid stench of explosives where the en n my destroyed his dumps. The retirement steadily continues, the Allied cavalry meeting only rearguard screens. The roads north of the Veslo are choked with transport wagons, which are progressing slowly owing to the deep mud.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

TWO GREAT DOMINATING FACTORS London, Xngust 5. Mr. Hilaire Belloc, writing in the "Daily News," says:—"Two great factors dominate the situation: Firstly, tlie Allies' recovery of the initiative on July 18; secondly, tho steady mechanical increase of tha Allied . numbers."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ' . ANOTHER VAST RETREAT? (Eec. Angust 6, 8.50 p.m.) Paris, August 5. It is unlikely that the Germans will risk a great battle with tho Aisne behind them, but whether their retirements arc the prelude to a vast retreat like that of 1917 will soon be rovealed.-"The Times."

WHAT THE ENEMY IS THINKING ' LUDENDORFF QUAILS AT THE LOSSES. Paris, August 5. The "Matin" publishes a secret order by von Ludendorff referring to certain new tactics. It saye:—"The situation -with regard.to our reserves compels us to preserve them. It is absolutely indispensable to avoid the old fault of attacking in mass formation. Wo must by all meane reduce our losses,"—Eeuter.

.UNPARALLELED GLOOM IN GERMANY. London, August 5. The "Berliner Tagoblatt" states that the Mnrno defeat has produced unparalleled outbreaks of utter discouragement and downheartedness. Wild reports are abroad, including statements that the Kaiser and von Hindenburg have been murdered, and that von Hindenburg was killed in a duel with Prince Rupprecht. The police pla'cnrded the streets with threats of severe penalties for spreading' rumours.—"The Times."

GERMAN DISCIPLINE DETERIORATING. London, August 5. A captured Army Order by General yon Quast, commanding the Bth German Army, complains of the steady deterioration of discipline, the misplaced clemency of couH-niartiaU, the unsoldierly bearing of the men towards their superiors, and slackness in saluting.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE WAR IN THE AIR - London, August 5. Sir Douglas Hnijr reports:—"Our aviators dropped five'tons of bombs, and our night-flyers dropped five tons on railway stations at Steonwerck and Fismes. Three British machines are -missing. , "—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eeuter. (Rec. August 7, 1.15 a.m.) ■ ■ London, August 5. Sir Douglas Haig's aviation report states:—"The weather hampered operations' on August L We dropped Gt tons of bombs ! n the daytime, and brought down six hostile machines. Night fling was impossible."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. PARIS AGAIN BOMBARDED (Rec. August 6, 8.50 p.m.) Paris, August 5. The long-range bombardment of the city has been resumed.—Renter.