PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 6, 2 October 1918, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

To say that the Allied Western armies have attained phenomenal success in the operations reported to-day is to do them poor justice. Before the offensive on to red its latest stago it would have seemed impossible that the enemy's front could' be so broken and penetrated in vital areas as it is shown to bo to-day without his being compelled 'to undertake a general and extended retreat. That he is not already engaged in such a movement is apparently clue to thefact that his defensive organisation has been thrown disastrously out of gear. The results achiovod by the Allies give him an all-sufficient incentive to retreat, but, for the time at least, he is held and engaged by attacking forces from which he cannot break away.

The most remarkable achievement recorded to-day is that of the British and American divisions which have stormed the enemy's main defences on portion of the front between Cambrai and St. Quentin, but an extraordinary advance has been made also in Flanders. Tho Belgians and General ' Plumer's army have not only taken the Flanders ridffes in their stride, but arc now well beyond them in an advance which threatens to cut across tho enemy's communications between Lille and the Flanders coast. There is also a very definite threat to Lille itself, although at the moment there is no confirmation of the unofficial report that the British have reached the outskirts of Mcnin, i commanding road centre on the Franco-Belgian border almost due north of Lille.

The Anglo-American operations on the Cambrai-St. Quehtin front arc very fully described by correspondents. Cambrai is now closely wrapped about by the- attacking lines on north-west, west, and south, and St. Quentin' is outflanked on north and south. On the front between these junctions tho British and American troops have stormed some of thc.mosi formidable field fortifications ever constructed in spite, of the fact that they were manned by Germany's best troops. With his • line to appearance fatally broached the enemy is bringing up heavy_ reinforcements and is freely spending his strength in counterattacks. '

Thk Franco-American offensive in the Champagne baa not thus far. produced results aa spectacular as those which have, been attained further west, but it is developing as a steady drive into the vital defences covering tho flank of the enemy's salient front. Liftlo is said at time of writing about tho progress of the

Americans in the Meuso valley north of Verdun, but the French are making good headway towards Challerange junction, immediately west of the Argoiinc. They arc now within about two and a half miles of Challerange, having covered about half a dozen miles in their advance in this locality. It is now reported that the Germans are retreating from the heights of the Aisne, a development which will give the French new openings for attack beyond Reims. The enemy front as a whole is being made perilously insecure, and apparently his hopes are limited to staving off irretrievable disaster until winter brings him a measure of relief and an opportunity of organising a general retreat.