THE NEW BATTLEFIELD OF LORRAINE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 310, 19 September 1918, Page 5

THE NEW BATTLEFIELD OF LORRAINE

SIGNIFICANCE OF AMERICAN VICTORY GOOD PROGRESS BY THE FRENCH By Telegraph-Proas iewoiatlon-Copyrlelit. , London, September 17. Router's correspondent at French Headquarters, writing on September 13, states that oil the plateau east of Laffaux General Miingin attacked in tho . morning in tile direction of Ango Gnrdien, on the Soissons-Mauheugo road, and C'olombe Farm, near Jouy. Ho advanced a thousand ,vards on n frontof about two miles and a half, and captured sovqral positions in tho valley which separates Sancy.from tho plateau of-Jouy. In spito of the machine-guns and artillery which swept the plateau, and vigorous counter-attacks, the French maintained themselves in the captured positions. The chief feature, of tlio day's fighting was the capture of numerous subterranean passages dug under the plateau, in which the Germans put up a. desperate and furious defeaco and lost very heavily.—Renter. SIGNS OF A FURTHER RETREAT.. September 1". Reports from the American front slate that the Germans are burning villages along the Moselle, preparing for a further retreat.—Atts.-N.Z. Cablo Assrt. . A NEW PROBLEM FOR THE GERMANS STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OF PEBSHINC'S VICTORY. London, September .17. General Maurice.'writing in the'"Daily Chronicle," says: "General I'orshing's'victory liaß altered the whole character,of the eastern front in France. The French, fighting on the Americans' left, hare made considerable progress in thfl direction of Eta in, and therefore the front now runs a. hundred miles in a straight line in a south-easterly direction from north of Verdun . to beyond Luneville. Marshal Foch can. now inako this now front an offensive front whenever he desires- The Germans are now obliged to actively defend direct the railway communications between Metsi in the north and Met* and Stvassbnrg. More* important still, they are obliged to protect the invaluable Briey iron mines. Therefore the new front in the Woeuvro and Lorraino has become of the. greatest importance to the enemy, and can no longer be held lightly."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. PROBABLE WITHDRAWAL BEHIND HINDENBURG LINE (Rec. September 18,' 7.30 .p.m.) London. September 17. Beuter's correspondent at American Headquarters states that evidence is accumulating to show that the enemy intends to withdraw behind the Hindenbur" line in Lorraine if further pressed. They are burning towns along the Moselle which are likely to fall into our hands. These include Dommartin and Lachaussee, both of which are within the Hindenburg lino. The Germans arranged that tbe Austrian troops sTiould bear the brunt, of the attack cast of St. Mihiel, and ordered them to hold us hack until all the Germans had withdrawn. The Austrians conseauently suffered the heaviest losses, especially in prisoners. The entire artillery of the German 31st Division was captured.—Router. , GERMAN COMMAND SUFFERING FROM " NERVES " UNEASINESS ABOUT FUTURE ATTACKS. , (Rec. September 18, 7.30 p.m.) London, September 17. Reuter's correspondent at British Heidquarters says that there is plenty of evidence that the enemy is anticipating further concerted attacks at various places. A captured order points out that tho Allies must now be expected to strike heavy blows. The order bewails the lack of assault troops, as rendering the prospect of successful counter-attacks'or effective resistance impossible. Recent prisoners state that every effort lias been made to suppress nil news of the American success at St. Mihiel, in connection with which alarming rumours prevail. The general impression seems to bo that, tho American victory was so overwhelming that the German Army Command dare not admit , the fact.—Renter. THE OFFICIAL REPORTS FRENCH ADVANCE CONTINUED. London, September 17, 1.25 a.m. A French communions states: "During the day the French continued tho attacks north-east and "east of Saucy (north of the Aisne), and in spito of the enemy resistance advanced a thousand yards on a front of 2\ miles, and captured six hundred prisoners. Our aviators were active in attacking the enemy observation posts and big railway stations. The roads behind tho en'Miy lines wero heavily bombed, and big fires were started, and much damage was done. North of the Aisne the artillery on both sides was acti.-e. We made raids west of Maisons do Clnmpagne, between St. Hilaire-le-Grand and Mont Sans Norn, and also north of Reims. We repulsed enemy raids."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn .-Renter. The HiMi Commissioner reports: London, September 18, 1.10 a.m. A French official report states: "West of St. Quentin we made further progress. We oxtended our gains between the Ailette and tho Aisne, advanced on tho plateau northwards and eastwards of Allemont, and captured a post east of Saucy." PROGRESS ON THE BRITISH FRONT London, September 17. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "We made progress on Monday in the direction of Le Verguier, north-west of St. Queiitiit, and also slightly improved our positions uorth°west of Hulluch and north-east of Neuvc Chapello."—Aus.N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Router. GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT i ' London, Septembor 17, 4.50 p.m. A German official report states: "Wo recaptured the eastern fringe of the height east of Vauxnillon. Tho enemy east of Laffaux pressed us back slightly. East of St. Mihiol wo repulsed tho onemy's attacks at Haumont, north-past of Thiaucourt."—Aue.-N.Z. Cable ießn.-Beuter.