FURTHER GERMAN WITHDRAWALS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 283, 19 August 1918, Page 5

FURTHER GERMAN WITHDRAWALS

GROUND GAINED BY FRENCH AND BRITISH . ' INTENSE FIGHTING' IN THE AIR By Tolegiaph-Prees A 33ociation..Copyright, mi n ■ , , NeW YOrk ' AuRUSt IG. , Juo German withdrawal on the Western front continues. The British have gained a mile south of Merrie, and have captured Vieux Berquhi.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. „„ .. T . London, August 15. Hie entire lassigny massif has been captured.—"The Times." [According to the official news the Germans still hold the north-eastern fringe of the massif, but practically all the high ground is in French hands.] /'■ (Eec. August 18,-'5.5 p.m.) m, , ', t, \ New Y° rk ' August 17. ino Ando-french advance is continuing. The British are pushing eastward and norih ot the Amiens-Koyc road. The "Echo de Paris" announces that tho Germans are preparing to evacuate the line.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (lieo. August 18, 5.5 p.m.) ' London, August 16. Latest reports state that the Germans have retired from the villages of Serre, • I'uisioux, Beaumont Hamel. and Buccjuov. They havo also slightly retired eastward of Vieux Uerciiiiii and Meteren. The French are now 55 miles from Noyon, which is' completely overlooked.—Aus.-N.Z. Cnble Assn. ..-■-. ENEMY'S WHOLE LEFT MAY BE ENDANGERED. ■ \ I ' \Bec. August 18, 5.5 p.m.) t, . , , . ' Paris, August 1C Kenter s correspondent at Freneh Headquarters, writing on tho evening of August 15, states: "General Humbert's troops gained ground to-day. Tho most important of these Rains} though small in extent, is Thiescourt massif, 'the capturing of tho Attiches position, so-called after the and the Monolith Farm, which crown the crest of a liefeht of l>so feet, and which dominates the Divetto Valley and all the German positions and roads below. A couple of miles north-west is (lie crest crowned by the Chapel of St. Au'ljin, which tlin ouemy holds, overlooking Fleinont. With Attiches Farm and Monolith Farm in our hands, we are very nearly masters of the/massif, and tho position may become so difficult for the'enemy that his whole left to Noyon and the Oise will bo endangered.—Renter. GREATER PART OF GERMAN FRONT ON THE DEFENSIVE ENEMY BALANCING LOSS OF PRESTIGE AGAINST LOSS OF ME'N. (Rec. August 18, 5.5 p.m.) r< ~r ■ ■! «. ' ~ , ' London, August 17. General-Maurice writes: "A month ago the wholo German front between the .irgonno and Ypres was an offensive front. To-day the withdrawals .show that tho greater part has lecoina defensive. It is now a question of the Germans balancing their loss of jirestige against the loss of men. If tho enemy likes lie can stay at the Boye-Lassigny-Noyon-Nes!e quadrilateral at a price, but the position is most uncomfortable. We are able to render the railway communications useless and bomb, the Soinme bridges incessantly. The Lassiguy'massif dominates the positions along the Divette, which are taken in reverse from the high ground at Boulogne La Grasse. Whatever the result, wo shall watch the enemy's solution of tho problem with quiet satisfaction."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GERMANS- ATTACK ON THE VESLE SECTION AMERICANS HOLD THEIR GROUND. / (Rec. August IS, 11 p.m.) • New York, August 17. The "New York Times" correspondent at the American, front states that the GernuiM launched it violent combined gas, artillery, and 'air-bombing attack against tho Americans on the'Vesle section. The Americans held all the ground.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE NEW ZEALANDERS FIGHTING WEST OF BAPAUME (Rcc. August 18, 5.5 p.m.) . V London, August 17. llie Daily Chronicle's" correspondent at British Headquarters states that lio risited the New Zealanders, who aro facing the Germans whero the latter recently withdrew west of Bapnunic He says: "The New Zealandors early on the morning of August , U. found the ground before them unoccupied. Two largo bodies passed forward 000 yards and encountered resistance on the right. Trench fighting continued all day long. Ono party turned a strong redoubt on the enemy's left,.and captured it'villi,prisoners, but the enemy hold the main positions until jdark. Meanwhile patrols, creeping forward north-West of .Puisieux, found tho enemy still in the trenches. Next day oilier patrols cautiously entering Puifiieux, found tho placo apparently unoccupied. A email party" laid their arms nsida and were resting, when forty Germans suddenly sprang 'from the ruins, wounding a corporal. The New /ealandors quitted the place, taking their rifles, but leaving their equipment. When they returned Iho enemy had gone. Puisieiix is now ours, and as soon as we choose we can occupy it."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. OFFICIAL REPORTS THE BRITISH LINE ADVANCED. London, August IC. Sir Douglas flaig reports: 'Wo advanced our liiw slightly during tho night north-oast of Morlaucourt. We repulsed an attack on a post in this vicinity, after sharp lighting. There has been local fighting on the north-eastern outskirts of Thiepva! Wood. Our patrols thero crossed to the left bank of tho Ancre. Our patrols further north made progress between Beaucourl stir Ancro and Puisieus. There is increased hostile artillerying south of the Soinine end between La J3as3o Canal and Ypres."—Aus.-N.Z, Cable Aesn.-Reutcr. (Eec. August 18, 5.5 p.m.) London, August 17. Sir Douglas Iluig reports: "Wo repulsed a strong counter-attack against our iimv positions at Wnniery. inflicting great loss, taking 250 prisoners and capturing . many machine-guns. Our advanced troops on August Ili, in co-operation with tho ' French, substantially progressed in .ilic direction of Fresnoy-les-Royo and Fra.n- , eart, taking prisoners." A later report states: "We have- progressed northward of tho ]{uyn road and north of the Anora. We have also made, progress in tho neighbourhood of Vieux Berquin, f.fter sharp patrol fighting. Afw prisoners wero captured hen. , , and in the neighbourhood of JMerris. Thero is considerable hostile artillery tiring at Mont Rouge, Schcrpenberg, and the Zillebeku Lake."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.Reuter. ■ (Roc. August 18, 11.50 p.m.) London, August 18, 0.30 a.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "Our line northward of Proyarfc has been advanced elUhtly.y Progress has been made on a front of nearly a, mile northward of Lihons. Enemy attacks on posts in tho Scherponberg sector and a raid in the neighbourhood of Locre wero repulsed."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aesn.-Reutcr.