NEW OFFENSIVE IN.THE WEST

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 311, 20 September 1918, Page 5

NEW OFFENSIVE IN.THE WEST

• FRANCO-BRITISH ATTACK IN ST. QUENTIN REGION' 6000 PRISONERS AND MANY GUNS liy Telftsroph-Prees Assooiation-Copyrielit, London, September 18, G.lO p.m. The British made an attack on a fifteen-milo front from Molnon to Gouzeaucourt and made an average'advance of between two and three miles. The Australians participated. Tne captures include Ronssoy, Yillcret, and Lo Verguier. The troops passed the Siegfried line in two places, Later messages state .that practically all the objectives were gained. Three thousand, prisoners, and ■s, number..of guns :i; \yere captured.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ■'.'■ ■ ■.■■■■ ' •'.,,,' -. ■ . . ' v ' ' ' . ' ~ CORRESPONDENTS'DISPATCHES BRIEF BOMBARDMENT AND SPIRITED ATTACK. Loncfon, September 18. The United Press correspondent states that the British attacked on a considerable front from Peaiere to'Savy Wood (four miles west of St. Quentin) at 5.20 this • morning. The French from Savy southward advanced,- in support of the ; British'flank, simultaneously. In spite of the heavy rain, the attack is progressing successfully. The progress so far has been so good that it may bring the British into actual contact with the main defences. The attack was launched spiritedly after three minutes' heavy bombardment, and then the usual barrage. Fighting is reported at Frcsnoy. There was stiff German resistance at Epehy and Ronssoy, and heavy gas-shelling at Vermand and Holnon Wood in the night time, which is evidence that the Germans had (Suspicions there. The German artillery was inactive elsewhere. The attack caught the Germans in the midst of now trench building, which was begun a few: days ago along the tunnel in tho middle portion of the attacked line. At a few points the British were compelled to-engage new strong divisions, which the enemy had originally intended to utilise exclusively for tho defence of the Hmdenbu'rg line itself. Their use outside perhaps shows that the Germans were-not ready yet to make, {heir final stand behind the line. The enemy, supported by a gas barrage, retook Moeuvres.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. AN INTERIM STOCKTAKING (Rec. September 19, 7.45 p.m.) Ottawa, September 19. *' The United Press correspondent on the West front states that tho British between Holnon AYood and/Gouzeaueourt have advanced fhree miles, captured, ten towns, and also captured six-thousand prisoners, a number of guns, an important positions."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ' STIFF FIGHTING BY THE AUSTRALIANS (Rec. September 19, 7.45 p.m.) London, September' 19. Mr. Philip Gibbs states: "Tho Australians encountered and overcame stiff resistance at Hargicourt and Leverguier. Elsewhere the Germans.rushed out of their trenches and surrendered before tho Australian barrago reached them. Tho Australians at an early hour had taken 500 prisoners."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.. . AN OVERRUNNING MOVEMENT (Rec. September 19, 7.45 p.m.) London, September 18. Reuter's correspondent at British Headquarters states: "This morning's attack, extending from southward of Gouzeaucourt to the junction of our right flank with tho French Army, partook of tho character of an overrunning movement, carrying the line well into the enemy's outpost zone and bringing us nearer the Hiudenburg system. Oyer a wide stretch the country hereabouts consists of little ridges, gullies, and woods, and lends itself to the clastic defence which the Germans are employing. Our attack moved up in progressive stages, as it was necessary to pause while the enemy pockets were mopped up. The French made good progress, in conformity "with our advance.. Rain w&s falling when the attack was launched, and aoroplaue observation was impossible. The weather since has improved."—Router. „ ' A GOOD DAY FOR THE ALLIES (Rec. September 20, 0.10 a.m.) • . . London, September 19. Router's correspondent at British Headquarters, writing on tho evening of September 18, says:—"ln to-day's fighting near St. Quontin the enemy fought doggedly, evidently with a clear conception of tho great strategic importance of the ground. The weather helped us in some measure by decreasing the advantage of observation in the early stages, so that wc were occasionally almost on top of tho enemy before wo were observed. On the contrary, the rain rendered tho ground marshy, and it was difficult going in the gullies. The tanks contributed to our progress. The Germans assembled considerable artillery along tho front of attack, backed by long-range guns Bring from well behind the Hindcnburg line, although the latter had to restrict their shooting to comparatively few targets previously registered, and were no serious obstacle to the advance. The German Alpine corps, carrying, the brunt of tho resistance, put up a stout' strugglo around the key to the positioil at Epehy. Tho moral of some of the other enemy divisions is poor, and although"tho machine-gunners generally sticJ. U> their guns to the last the infantry shows a readiness to surrender. Tho Australians made good progress on tho right, capturing Ascension Farm, which is a strong redoubt north of Fresnoy and Villeret, unon a spur dominating the St. Quentin canal. fha general impression is that it has been a good day for the Allies. One spot at which comparatively little prog ress was mado is around the point of ' tho Franco-British liason, bnt our guns »'« coming mnro and moro into action in this section, taking heavy toll of th° enemys concentrated, infantry. Tho ground is everywhere well adapted f° r defence. '—Reutor.