THE WESTERN' FRONT

Hokitika Guardian, 26 July 1918, Page 2

THE WESTERN' FRONT

[PKII PRESS ASSOCIATION. —■COPYRIGHT.] GERMAN MILITARY CIRCLES.

LONDON, July 24

The United Service “Daily Mail's” Borne correspondent-, writing on the 24th ilist, says that the general opinion iri military circles in Germany is that, if the present offensive fails, the Germans will revert to defensive tactics on an unprecedented scale . Experts are discussing the construction of a system of concrete moats underground railways and camps.

A german halt

AMERICANS MEET RESISTANCE.

LONDON, July 21

The “Daily Chronicle's” correspondent with the American Army says that the German withdrawal up the valley of the Ourcq has come to a halt. The American pursuers met a stiflening resistance. At the first they encountered nests of machine-guns then shrapnel, finally field artillery guns. Tho Germans are working from previously prepared strongholds.

Prisoners state that all retreat orders wore revoked on Sunday evening and a stout opposition enjoined probably because tho German lanes of communication were hopelessly congested.

The “Doughboy’s’ 1 were so eager to pursue that they did not wait the construction of pontoons, when they reach ed the Marne, but swam the river, and engaged the enemy on the roads which were full of abandoned supplies, including boxes of ammunition and infantry packs.. The. Marne villages are all hideous shambles, and they are moutrocities of smashed masonry.

GREAT POSSIBILITIES.

DANGER. TO CROWN PRINCE

Received,, this day at 8.45 a.m. NEW YORK, July 25

The Germans are violently counter attacking in Dormans neighbourhood.

Tlu> French are slowly surrounding Oulehv le Chateau, hut have not yet captured it. American troops have gained a mile north-east of Jaulgonne. It is believed the Germans are withdrawing theif forces from tho neighbourhood. The French are within three miles of Fere on Tardenis.

The press publishes rumours of a sensational British advance in the direction of Fismes.

The French are gaining elsewhere, endangering the Crown Prince's armies.

BRITISH AND FRENCH ADVANCE

WEST OF RHETMS.

(Received this day at 1.20 a.m.,)

NEW YORK, July 25

Tho British anti French, advancing west of Rheims, have reached Queux and Marypremoey.