SIDELIGHTS ON THE BATTLE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 300, 7 September 1918, Page 7

SIDELIGHTS ON THE BATTLE

THE GERMAN RETREAT FROM THE VESLE :.

VIGILANCE OF THE AMERICANS

London. September 5. The "Daily Chronicle's" correspondent at Paris writes:—'"The Americans along the Vesle were, poised in- readiness for an energetic pursuit at the first sign of a German break from the river. In consequence of General Mangiu's successes north of Soissons, the junction of the V«b1o and the Aisne is a crucial point, and if surrendered the Germans must retreat to the Chemin-dcs-Dames. Great fires on tho nortbern bills in the enemy's rear throughout the night suggested that stores were : being destroyed. The ,Vesle was easily forced at daybreak. Later it was evident that the main body of the enemy had withdrawn ou the Noyon-Nesle sector. The French immediately began an . pdvanooj and reached within two miles of Guiseard, on the Novon-Ham road. The French Army is full of enthusiasm at the British victories, and give unstinting praise to the Britifik generals."—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

and a half miles distant. The remaining detachments around Moeuvres crossed the canal by narrow footways qyer the bed of tho canal and by stair■urays at the broken locks. Moeuvres figured prominently in the' Battle of Cambrai in November. It is a square mile of trenches and wire, and formed tho junction of the Hindenburg main and support lines. Tlie tunnels contain, many hiding places. Cambrai is plainly visible from our lines. No doubt the Germans intend tb'hpld the Canal as long as possible • Their howitzers have found new sites; aiid fresh divisions which have reinforced , tho new German front have come from Lille. . Prisoners state that the German -Eighty-Third Division was ordered to attaok, but flatjy refused."—Aus-. N.Z. Cable Assn. '" '...;.

ON THE CANAL DU NORD

ENEMY INVOKES THE AID OP FLOODS. London, September 5. Mr. Percival Phillips writes:—"Having retired behind the Nord Canal on a front pf twenty miles from tho marshes of Balluel to north-east of Pcronne, the Hun is trying to reorganise his .scattered forces. The Seventeenth and Second Armies hav;o «ot a tattered division across tho dry waterway, and have thrown a strong barrier of machine-guns close to the eastern bank along the greater part; but on the southern portion of the canal, which is only partially dug, we have pushed our patrols forward, notably at Ruyaulconrt and Moislans. The Canadians are. fighting at Sains-lez-Marquiou, oppoj&o. a strongly entrenched German force, occupying high ground and able to command the waterway at every point, mid observe tho Canadian innVements. On tho Canadian left the floods duo to. the dam ming of the Scarpo are increasing. "The naval troops wore confronted by vigorous opposition on the open dopes before the Bonrloii Wood, two