A RETIREMENT BETWEEN THE SOMME AND THE OISE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 299, 6 September 1918, Page 5

A RETIREMENT BETWEEN THE SOMME AND THE OISE

> (Rec. September 6, 0.5 a.m.) London, September 4 (afternoon). Router's correspondent at, French Headquarters states"The Germans are 'falling back- between the Sommo and the Oieo before the armies of Generals Dobenoy and Humbert. This morning our advanced cavalry was little more than a mile from Guiscard. General Mangin's troops aro also advancing, and have worked up to the edge of the ravine adjacent to the. iinportawt, Lafl'aux Plateau. There are numerous signs that the Germans are preparing to withdraw from the Vesle sector, jrfobably to the old fortified lino crossing the Aisue from Juvincourf. to Reims. Fires behind the German front on the Vesle aro reported to bo increasing in number."—Reuter. ENTERING THE OLD CAMBRAI BATTLEFIELD CANAL DU NORD CROSSED ON 3-MILE FRONT. (Roc. September 5, 9.40 p.m.) London, September 4. We made further progress along the Canal du Nord, which wo crossed on a three-mile front southward of Inchy. AVe also reached Neuville Bourjorual, which is a mile eastward of the canal. AVe are now approaching tha old Cambrai battlefield. Our troops aro fighting their way through Havricourt Wood, of which we already hold tho north-western portion. We have captured Moeuvres and are pressing towards the Gorman positions, which have been prepared for the defence of Douai and Cambrai. Largo fires well behind the Vesle indicate a further German retreat before the Franco-Ameri-can troops.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. VESLE CROSSED ON EIGHTEEN-MILE FRONT BRILLIANT SUCCESS BY THE FRENCH (Rec. September 6, 1.5 a.m.) ' ' London, September 4. . A French communique states: "After breaking the stubborn resistance of the enemy our troops to-day compelled him to retreat north of tho Oise and Vesle front between the Canal du Nord and tho Oise. Our advanced elements, following on the the enemy's rearguards, advanced beyond Libermont and reached tho outskirts of Esmery-Hallon, and occupied Hopital Wood. Further east we crosscd the Ailette and reached Marizelle, northeast of Manieamp. The enemy left numerous guns and a vast quantity of material. The battle continues on the plateau north of Soissons. Threatened on his right flank, the enemy returned to the north of the Vesle. We captured Bucy and Moncel, north of tho Aisue. Further to the right wo crossed the Veslo on a front of 18 miles, and passed Chassemy, Brenelle, VauBerlin, Vauxcette, ahd Blanzy, and gained a footing on the crest north of Baslienx."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. OFFICIAL REPORTS BRITISH ON THE CANAL DU NORD LINE London, September 4. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "Minor actions are reported in different localities. We reached the east side of Vaulx Woods, north of Moislains, and slightly advanced at other points. Generally wo have reached tho line of the i Canal du Nord. We occupied Ecourt-St. Quentin, north of the Arras and'' Cambrai Road. Wo made progress astride tho Lys, approaching Neu-ve Chapelle and Lavcntie, and took possession of Sailly-sur-la Lys, Nieppe, and Lc Romarin."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. PASSAGE OF RIVER AND CANAL FORCED (Rec. September 5, 10.20 p.m.) London, September 5. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "The'Auglo-Welsh troops have forced tho passage of tlie Tortillc River and the Canal du Nord on a wide front northward of Moislans. During the, early part of the day the enemy held the east banks of tho river and canal, and endeavoured to arrest our advance at this line with artillery and machine-gun lire. In spite of the' natural strength of tho enemy's positions, we advanced with great dash and courage, and carried the villages of Manancourt and Etricourt, overcoming obstacles at the canal and river. We made substantial progress to tho eastwards. Further north the English and New Zealanders took Ruyualcourt, and Teached the northern outskirts of Havrincourt, eastwards of. tho canal. Other English divisions gahed the west bank of the canal opposite Demicourt and Boussees, beating .off a counter-attack. The English stored Moeuvres from the north, and aro 'fighting still among the old Hindenburg line defences. W r o captured further prisoners and material, including two of the three German tanks that were used in -tho unsuccessful counter-attaok on August 31. Wo have made progress in different points on the Lys front."—Aus.-N.Z. Cahle Assu.Reutcr. , . EAST OF THE CANAL DU NORD ' ■ PROGRESS OF THE FRENCH OFFENSIVE. London, September 4. A French communique states: "Our infantry crpssed the Somme opposite Epenancourt. Further south the French gained a footing in Genvry, east of tho Canal du Nord. East of Noyoii we made fresh progress and reached itlie outskirts of Salcncy. Artillery action continues to oo heavy in this region. Between the Ailette and the Aisno yesterday we captured 1200 prisoners. Our aviators are active in co-operating with tho artillery in destroying centres of i resistance.. Tons of bombs were dropped iu the back areas, and camps were machine-gunned." A later communique states: "Yesterday evening and last night we continued to puslntho enemy east of the Canal du Nord, and between the Ailette and the Aisne. We captured tho Bois-du-Chapitro north-west of Chevilly and Buss.v. Farther south our advanced elements pursuing tho enemy are approaching Crisolles (three miles •south-westof Guiscard). North of the Ailette we carried our lines to the western outskirts of Coucy-lc-Chateau and Jumencourt. To the south we advanced east of Leuilly, and reached the outskirts of Clamecy and Brave, and penetrated Bucy-le-Long. AVe took prisoner over fifteen hundred in this region. On tho Vesle front our elements crossed tlfe river at several points."—Aus.-N.Z. Cahle Assn.-Reuter.' i THE ENEMY'S REPORTS (Rec. September 5, 7.25 p.m.) London, September 4. A wireless German official report states: "We withdrew on Monday night our troops from the Arleux-Moeuvres-Manancourt line. Wo repulsed four French attacks against the high ground between Canipagno and Bussy. We repulsed after hitter hand-to-hand fighting renewed Frauco-Americau-Italiau attacks between the Ailette and the Aisne."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. (Rec. September 5, 10.20 p.m.) \ , , . • London, September 5. A wireless German evening official report states: "The enemy felt his way forward to our new lines between the Scarpe and the Somme'."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. THE WAR IN THE AIR * (Rec. September 4, 7.25 p.m.) London, September 4. The Admiralty reports: "Between August 26 and September 1 our aeroplanes, working with tho Navy, carried out successful raids at Ostend and Zeebrugge, dropping thirteen tons of bombs, with excellent results. Largo fires were started, and two direct hits were obtained on an anti-aircraft battery. There were many hursts at tho docks, We destroyed two machines and drove down another out of control. All tho British machines returned."— Renter. EFFECTIVE RAIDS ON AERODROMES. (Her. September 5, 9.40 p.m.) London, September 4. 'Jlie Air Ministry roportit:—"On'tho afternoon of September 3 we successfully attacked tlifl iienidramn at Morhange, directly hitting several hangars and blowing up two machines on the, ground. All our, machines returned. On the night of tho samo day wo again, heavily bemhed tho aerodrome at, Morhanj/,0, hitting more hangars and starting lires. We also attacked tho normlrwno fit Doujay and tho blast furnace,si at Esch, directly hitting the ifurmiceii, and atarting lires at Doulay. All our machines returned. On the limrtiinx of September 4 wo attacked the aerodrome at Morhange, hitting lit leant neveii hangars. All our bombs burst well. We also, attacked the annu'lrmmm nt lluhl with good results. All our machines returned." —Aufi.-N.Z. Cabin Awin,-Router. 1 SIR DOUGLAS HAtG'S REPORT. (Ilcc, Soptomber 5,10.20 p.m.) London, September 5. Sir Douglas Haig'a aviation roport states; "Our aeropanes and balloons cooperated effectively in the advanco on Septombor 3. We dropped twenty-one tons of bombs during tho daytime and twenty-one tons at night-time. We destroyed nineteen hostilb machined, and drovo down soven out of control. Ten British machines aro missing."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Reuter. COMMENT ON THE SITUATION ENEMY ON THE DOWN GRADE. London, September 4. General Maurice, writing in the "Daily Chronicle," says: "Iu giving the fullest credit for tho magnificent work of tho Canadian and Australian troops, we must not overlook what the English, Scottish, and Welsh divisions have done. It was upon the British troops that tho brunt of the desperate lighting in the spring fell, and it stirs our Hearts to seo them now coming into their own, advancing over ground where tho British have never trod before. Lioutonant-Qonoral Sir. Charles Forgusou'fl corps, whioh captured the fortress

of Qucant, was composed of English and Scottish troops and a naval division. Tlio capturo was 0110 of tlio great fonts of tho war. It was not a matter of hustling a retreating enemy. Most of the ground -was won by lighting. A week ago no one expected ns to recover Mont Kemtuel, Netivn Ugliso -Uidge, Bailleul, and Bstaires without many thousands ol' casualties. Tlio enemy has given, them up in order to find troops to meet Sir Douglas Haig's advanco towards Douai and Cambrai. Our victories aro also freeing the French coalfields. Thc'cnclny is now on the down grade, lie has been forced lo break up eight divisions'and to appeal to the despised Austrians for help. The Germans and tho Allies havo now each about 196_ divisions. Ours have, on tho average, a greater strength, but the difference is not sulficieut to enable Genornl Foch to strike the coup de grace. There must bo no slackening in our efforts, or victory will bo postponed."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GENERAL MARCH ON THE OUTLOOK. (Rec. September 5, 8.10 p.m.) Washing ton, September 4. General March has announced that, including tho Siberian expedition, tho number of American troops now overseas totals 1,600,000. During August 250,000 American troops were landed in Franco. The object of the present Bri-tish-Canadian drive is the capturo of Cambrai.—Aus.-N.Z. Gable Assn. AN INTERVIEW WITH THE CROWN PRINCE "GERMANY IS CARRYING ON A DEFENSIVE WAR," Amsterdam, September 4. The Crown Prince, interviewed by the Berlin correspondent of a Hungarian newspaper, stated: "Owing to our elastic system of defence, we liayo retired in some places. Germany is carrying on a defensive war. Wo do not wish to destroy our enemies. For us victory means only tho successful defence of tho Fatherland." . . Asked what would be tho end of the war, the Crown Prince pointed to tho Allies'losses, and added: "The present attnek will probably continue, but cannot reach its goal. Only the brilliant defenco of our troops prevents tlio enemy's enormous superiority crushing us. The French are, fignting excellently and unselfishly; the English are badly led; and the Americans do not know what they are fighting-for.''—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GERMANY'S TROUBLES MULTIPLYING ■ GRAVE POLITICAL CRISIS ANTICIPATED. New York, September 3. Mr. Cyril Brown, tho New York "World's" Berlin correspondent, and lately ai! Stockholm, in tho interviow on his return to New' said: The German people realise that militarism's groat blow for peace and victory struck in tlio West has completely failed, probably marking it as Germany's last serious attempt to win a decision in the West front. The Germans are beginning to fear that real war may break out again in Russia, and the Rpectre or a war on two fronts haunts them-liko a nightmare. The peoplo aro beginning to realise that Germany has not a friend in tho world, and they aro also 1 losing faith in the Hindeiiburg-Ludendorff combination. The people now understand something about the pace by which America is changing the balance of man-power against Gormany. It is certain that tho more democratic representatives in tho Rcichstng'will not knuckle down to the dictatorship of the military party much longei;. I anticipate that the most acuto political crisis of the war will occur in Germany in tho near future."-Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. VERGING ON DEMORALISATION (Rec. September 5, 5.5 p.m.) New York, September 4. The New York "Times," commenting on the British victory, says: "The importance of Sir Douglas Haig's victory must be estimated by tho significance of tho enemy's breakdown and tho shattering of the Drocourt-Queant defenco line, which defends tho railway and strategic centres of Douai . and Cambrai. No offioial sophistry can distort the character of the defeat suffered by the German Army. The condition of the Gorman Army nov verges on demoralisation. At no time during the war has it suffered such heavy losses in men and guns."—Ane.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.