THE FRENCH ADVANCE

Hokitika Guardian, 20 March 1917, Page 1

THE FRENCH ADVANCE

Cver Large Area. LONDON, March 19. The French advance continued on n front of over sixty kilometres' between Avre and tho Aisne. North of Avre the French cavalry entered Rosie and we immediately threw out patrols towards the Somme and enemy rearguards which feebly resistedi ' The French advanced twenty kilometres northeast of Lnssigney in the direction of Ham. Further south our cavalry with light detachments following the valley of the Oisno occupied Noyon. Between the Oise and Soissons the whole German first line with -villages at Cnrlepont Momiin and Nouvronvinjio fell to our hands-and we gained a footing on tlio plateau north of Poissons and occupied Crony. We easily repulsed an enemy attack near Rheims.

There was lively artillerying in the Champagne and Verdun, and a German attack at Ghnmbrcttos collapsed.

German Abandonment.

PARIS, March 18. A French communique states: On the whole front between Andecliy auu Oise the enemy, refusing battle, abandoned under our pressure, powerfully and scientifically fortified lines'-that fie occupied at Beinnium. Our advance to-day continued rapidly. Our patrol entered Roye pursuing the enemy, who blew up roads and streets. Fight, hundred inhabitants whom the Germans had no timo to remove, ova ted tho troops. V e also occupied .Lassigny and reached passed north-cast thereof on tho lloycNoyon road. Arf, several points prisoners were taken during the pursuit, but they have not yoit been counted. There was severe artillerying in the Champagne on the right of the Meuse. As a reprisal for the burning of Bapaume a French aeroplane (to-day Frankfurt on tho main line.