ALLIES BEHIND WHOLE GERMAN FRONT OF MARCH 21

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 12, 9 October 1918, Page 5

ALLIES BEHIND WHOLE GERMAN FRONT OF MARCH 21

FRENCH CROSS THE SOIPPE

VERY HEAVY FIGHTING AHEAD

> . (Rec. October 8, 7.25 p.m.) London, October 7. . The only change in the northern position of the battlefield is tho British capture of Fresnoy. ■ AVe now hold tlio enemy's whole front behind the line from which he started on March 21. The French have crossed the River Suippe on a front of two miles from Eertricourt and Pontgivart, securing a small bridgehead. The French are now facing the strong Hunding lino. Therefore it is not expected that thoy will immediately'break through. The German retirement to a depth of ten miles on a front of thirty gives him greater strength. The French have advanced a milo north-westward of St. Quentin, capturing Remancourt and Morcoitrt, and have obtained a definite footing on the east bank of the St. Quentin Canal. This advance was assisted by the British operations further north, and brings us nearer the Oise'Valley and the enemy's communications in the St. Gobain region, where his situation is already uncomfortable.—Aus.-N.Z. , Cable Assn.

DESPERATE FIGHTING ON CAMBRAI-ST. QUENTIN FRONT

A.NEW GERMAN "CREEPING BARRAGE."(Reo. October. 8, 7.25 p.m.)

London, October 7.

Mr. Keith Murdoch, describing the fighting, says: "The Germane crowd thickly on the front lino between Cambrai and St. Ouentin. They ■have no trenches for seven' miles—merely strong posts built about shell hcles. They have put up some desporato struggles. The Victorians iii ono case took prisoner seven hundred Germans, considerably more than the number of attnekors, but two hundred dribblod back to the Gentian lines, as it was impossible to detail guards to escort the nrisoners to the rear. Many of the Germans foughtwith desperation, with our guns firing at them at a three yards point blank range. The , Germans answered our oreeping barrngo with one creeping backwikds, designed to pelt our men during their advance. This new idea in warfare must be the last resort of desperate defenders, for it sacrifices the defenders indiscriminately with the attackers."—United Service. '

THE RETREAT FROM THE FLANDERS COAST

ENEMY REMOVING STORES AND DISMANTLING WORKS,

j, • Amsterdam, October 7. The removal of stores and the dismantling of works on the Flanders coast area continues. Zeebrugge is idle. The men from the coast towns have been deported inland.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE SITUATION ON THE AISNE

VITAL ISSUES AT STAKE FOR THE GERMANS.

(Rec. October 8, 7.25 p.m.)

Paris, October 7. Though the two Aisno tributaries, tlio Suippe and the Retourne, with frequent marshy ground and thick woods between them, are still dominated by the they are only expected to fight delaying actions, and make their first real stand on the Aisne. The Americans in the Argonne, after advancing from one to three miles since Friday, are now in touch with the main enemy position. It is extremely strong naturally and artifically. The enemy also knows that a defeat here would be fraught,with terrible consequences. It must be held if it becomes necessary to withdraw the Ai sue iirmieC. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

BLAZING TOWNS ALONG THE BROKEN FRONT

GERMANS SST FIRE TO LAON.

Paris, October 7. The Germans are burning towns on the whole front from Lille to Reims, This is. regarded as presaging a retirement.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. London, October 7. The Germans have set fire to Laon.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ,