IN THE WAKE OF THE GERMAN SIXTH ARMY

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 287, 23 August 1918, Page 5

IN THE WAKE OF THE GERMAN SIXTH ARMY

London. August 21. Mr. Percival Phillips writes: "Covered by temporary belts of wire, the German 6th Array is still retiring slowly across tho Lys Plain, towards Armontieres. We have now advanced to a maximum of four miles since the withdrawal Ibegan. The German General most concerned in this operation is o«r old friend von Beriihardi, war writer and hater of the British. Ho commands the liiHh Corps, which badly dented Mcrville salient. The British continue to bito his flanks and disturb his retirement. It must bs a bitter blow to him to si rip tho ground of the depots, dumps, railheads, bridges, and other works which ho had constructed at great cost and sacrifice, preparatory to another drive on Hazcbrouck *,id Calais."—Aus.-K.Z. Cable Assn. "LIKE FIGHTING A SHADOW" London, August 21. The United Press Agency's correspondent states that whether because tho men s fighting spirit is gone or because the German High Command is deliberately retiring wherever the Generals are pushed, tho British find that in \arious parts of their line the Germans give way with unexpected readiness. It is like tghting a shadow. A notable example of Jhe German fighting spirit was given on Sunday night, when a regiment having retired too far was ordered to attack. Tho officer in charge of tho regiment rcftsed, and sent a written protest to tho commander, who _ repeated the order. Tho regiment then attacked half-heartedly, and last heavily, some of the companies having only twenty-fivo survivors.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ON THE FRENCH'FRONT OVER TEN THOUSAND PRISONERS SINOE MONDAY. . London, August 21. A 1-rench communique states: "Sontho of the Avre, after a bitter straggle, we captured Bciivraigncs. In the course of ■ yesterday's advance between the Matz.and the Oiso, we took five hundred prisoners. East of the Oiso we attacked this morning on a front of twenty-five kilometres (fifteen miles), from Baillv to the Aisnc. On the left we reached the southern borders of the forest of Urn-camps and tho outskirts of Carlepont and Caisnes. In the centre we captured ijpmbray and Blerancourdellos, and gained a footing on tho plateau) north of \ assens. On Jio right wo captured tho villages of Vczaponon, Tartiers, Cuisy-en-Alnioiit, 1 asly, and Courdl, and made an average advance of .'our kilometres (two and a. half miles) on the whole front. We took over 8000 prisoners. Altogether over ten thousand prisoners have been taken since Monday between tho Oiso and the Aisue alone."-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reulcr. (Rec. August 22, 7.10 p.m.) ,T, , London, August 21, 4.10 p.m. A. ircnch communique states: "Between tho Oise and the Aisne tho enemy made no attempt at a reaction. Our troops this, morning continued to mn.k'o progress on the whole front. We have taken Carlepont and Cuts. Wo gained ground after lively fighting west of Lassigny, and repelled sevoral raids in Cham-pagne.'-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. GENERAL MANGJN'S ATTACK A SWIFT AND EFFECTIVE BLOW. „ , , , • London, August 21. Renter s correspondent at French Headquarters, writing on Tuesday evening on the advance on a. front of twenty miles from Pimprez to Fontenoy says that during tho night the Germans brought up fresh divisions from a. long distauco in the rear. A Jaeger division, tho captors of Mont Kemmol, was shifted from the Soissons region to resist General Jfongin's shock, but these reinforccmoula were ot little avail. Three hours after the attack had begun the French had pushed forward to an average distance of two and a. half miles on the whole front and thousands of prisoners were taken. The German infantrv fought well, 'but the artillery was reeble. and aviation was practically non-existent. The whole German front line was passed an hour after the attack began. Tho most difficult, part of tho operations was the pas sago of tho Audignicourt ravine, tho northern edge of which was the Germans' main lino of resistance."—Renter

THE ENEMY'S REPORT

, „ „ . , London, Augu:-t. 21. A German official report stales: "Tho French attempted to break throuph between the Oise and the Aisne. The first assault broke down ; n the battle positions after a. bitter struggle. AVe repulsed attacks northi of Vicux Rcrquin but withdrew east of Mervillc. which the enemy has occupied. We repulsed attacks south-west of Chaulnes and north-west of Hove. We repulsed French attacks otter bitter fighting between Beuvraignes. and tho Oiso and also between Carlepont and Nouvron.' 7 —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eeuter.

ALLIED LINES REDUCED BY FIFTY MILES

(Fee. August 23, 1.15 a.m.)

Washington, August 21. General March (United States Chief of Staff) states that; the battlefront has been reduced in length by fifty miles as tho result ol tho Allies' recent operation* The United States is still dependent on British ships for tho larger portion of her oversea transport.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.

CROWN PRINCE SENT ON LEAVE

(Rec. August 22, 7.15 p.m.)

, , , , London, August 21. A telegram from Berne states that Hindenburg has returned to tho front, replacing von Ludendorff at tho Kaiser's request. An unconfirmed report states that the Kaiser, in order to placate popular opinion, has given the Crown Prince six months' leavo of absence—Renter.

VON LUDENDORFF HEARS OF REVOLUTIONARY TALK

KITS OF LEAVE MEN TO BE SEARCHED FOR WEAPONS,

(Rec. August 22, 7.40 p.m.)

, , London, August 21. ■ Reuter's correspondent at British Headquarters writes: "A captured German Staff order, signed by von Ludendorff, reads: 'It has come to my knowledge that men on leave have spoken publicly of a revolution in Germany after the tot Ono soldier from Rhenish Westphalia declared that with this object the men of his district, going on leave, were taking weapons with them, namely, captured revolvers or hand grenades. I desiro that the kits of men going on leave shall bo s/arched as a test case when occasion offers. Officers who are detected must be severely punished. Above all i wish to impress upon superior officers who hear such talk, or hear it through others, to dal with it immediately. Tho homo authorities and the Director of Railways will take corresponding measures."— R'.liter.

GERMAN FRONT LINE BLUFF TO COVER RETREAT,

(Rec. August 22, 7.15 p.m.)

Paris, August 21. A captured German order instructs battalion commanders to employ their smartest men in the front line, with the greatest mobility, in order to prevent the enemy from knowing that tho holders of the line have'been reduced. Tho order adds: "Tho Fatherland is in great danger, and we must make the greatest efforts to avert it."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE WAR IN THE AIR.

(Rec. August 22, 9.30 p.m.)

n „ ~. . London, August 21. the Admiralty reports: "Between August 15 and 17 our naval aerial contingents dropned sixteen tons of exDlosives on Zeebrugge, the Brmtes docks, the anti-aircraft batteries at AVestende. Ostond docks, the Zoebnigge-Aertrycke-Mid-dlekerke-Passchendaelc Canal, the St. Alhillo dump, the Meotkerke-Leffin2hc-Zee-brugge-Brugcs Canal, and the enemy's shipping, with good results. We destroyed nine enemy machines and drove, down eight others. Wo lost four, one of which landed in Hohand."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter DARING EXPLOIT BY AUSTRALIAN SQUADRONS. ~ „ , ~, London, August 21. Mr. Gordon Gilmour (Australian Press Association correspondent) describes two daring air raids by large squadrons, well behind tho German 'incs, in which Australian airmen look a prominent part. Ho says: "The leader on reaching tho objective dived and almost entered the door of a big aerodrome. He counted eight machines inside. When almost touching the ground he dropped a couplo of bombs, directly bitting the hangar. A fire quickly spread to adj.icent canvas aeroplane sheds. Pour other airmen fo'lowing the leader began machine-gunning and bombing. An indescribable panic followed, many Germans fleeing, to .be pursued by low-flying machines. The raiders remained over the oerodromo for thirty-five minutes and soon there was not a sign of life remaining thick smoke rising irom the burning hangars, workshops, and tho airmen's quarters. Then the raiders scattered, following the traffic on the .roads and bombing everythiii" visible till the supplies of bomb- v..vc exhausted. "In a second raid they burned eight hangars, and it is believed destroyed titty machines. The raiders keeping at a low altitude, came under tho direct fire o field guns at a range of eight hurdred feet. The raiders dispersed ravalirv. Tho Australian fliers declare ihoy 'have tho Huns cold.' "-4u.s -N Z Cablo 'V«n