ON THE WESTERN FRONT.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 July 1918, Page 3

ON THE WESTERN FRONT.

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPTRIWHt,

FRENCH TACTICS

GENERAL PETAIN r S MOVES.

[“RECTER’s” TELEGRAM.J Received, this day at 8.45 a.m. LONDON, July 27

A French headquarters’ correspondent, reviewing the recent German offensive, says the German attack was foiled hv the system of defence of Generals Gouraud, Berthcrlott and Beeoutte, acting under orders of GeneraT Petuin. From the experience of past offensives the Commander-In-Chief came to the conclusion that the first liii' could not be held against such attacks, and ho therefore ordered the advanced zone to be evacuated as soon ns the bombardment began. The defence thereof was left to the small detachments of determined # inen under competent officers ,whose mission was to delay the Germans as long as possible, so that their push should lose its vigorby the time it reached the principal line of resistance. This plan worked perfectly and the main line of resistance •was nowhere penetrated. The enemy on the Marne front were able to make more progress against General Bertherlott because Bevtlierlott was defending an unorganised ground. General Petain’b plan went furthen than a successful defence. He decided to counter attack on the loft, and assembling a division under the shade of \ illers Cotterets forest, where the troops might hope of escape observation and the double plan was submitted to General Foch, on July 12th., and approved.

The following day the enemy failed altogether east of Rhcims and found himself engaged in a desperately diffi cult attempt- to advance up the \ alley of the Marne on Epernay, when suddenly ho was attacked between Chateau Thierry and the Aisno.

LONG RANGE GUN. Received, this day at 8.45 a.m. PARIS July 28,

The Americans have discovered, south of Tornelle wood, the emplacements of one of the long range guns which bombarded Paris. Apparently a stubborn defence in this region was designed to secure the gun’s withdrawal.

A RESUME.

ABOUT THE OFFENSIVE

Reuter’s Telegrams.

(Received This Day at 9.1 •’5 a.m.T LONDON, July 27

The state of the enemy’s army after the failure of the third offensive, is

shown by the fact that of three thousand prisoners taken in the last few fore five sixths of the soldiers of that class are on the front. The class for 1920. have been warned to be in readiness for a call in September, all whereof are under nineteen years of age. j ‘ The breakdown of the third German effort to reach a decision in this summer is due mainly to two facts, hirst, tin-under-rating of the French power of resistance nnd second the blow was not q, surprise. The enemy came to the conclusion after the Picardy and Aisne offensives, til at the French had reached a pitch of exhaustion from which they could not recover. The Germans contemplated the capture of a number of important towns. Epernay and Mont Mirail were to be captured tbe first day, and Chalons on the second day. Instructions were issued regarding the exploitation of the conquered territory. Detachments w-erc frormed to plunder houses in conquered territory in the national interests. Four armies, von Eincmi von Mudra, von’ Boehm and von Eben were to strike simultaneously, the strategic object of the attack was to cut the French Army in halves and turn the whole strength, against whichever half was least able to resist. If successful, the enemy could have chose between a move on Paris or turning of the whole French line from Argonne of the Vosges. The Germans were so confident that the did not trouble to hide their intentions.

The delay was due to the fact that they wore no loss pressed for men than the French. That nn attack would be in Cham-

pagne and Marne was foreseen, though

the. date was uncertain. It was expected on the Bth, again on the 12th, and lastly on the 14th on the eve whereof Genernl Gourand ordered a trench

raid which resulted in information that the enemy meant to attack at dawn.

GERMAN RESERVES. (Received This Day at 12.30. n.m.) WASHINGTON, June 27.

Seventy-two German divisions have been identified in the Marne fighting. It is believed only thirty divisions are now left behind Prince Rupprecht’s armies.

ALLIES GAINS. (Received This Day. at 12.10. n.m.)

WASHINGTON, July 28

The New York “Times” correspondent on the west front, states the Allies have nlreadv gained several kilometres in the southern portion of the Marne salient.

AMERICAN FIGURES

ON GERMAN ARMY. (Received This Dav at 9.25 a.m.) NEW YORK, July 28th. The New. York “Tribune” correspondent with the French armies,, says the German casualties for six months total a million, which is designated by German statesman as the number Germany was willing to lose this year, to win the war. Six hundred thousand havo been killed, permanently injured or taken prisoners. These were chiefly tho elite shock troops. Seventoeh year boys are refilling the ranks. The total Gorman armies are now 2,760,000 and far inferior in morale to the armies of 1914. Not only are the Germans outnumbered by the Allies, but they also are dominated by the military alinost every where. If they elect to fight to a finish, the figures show they "’ill inevitably be overwhelmed. A NEW ARMY. f ßeceived This Dev of 10 '5 ■' > PARIS July 28. It .is reported that a new German army, created from Prince Rupprecht’ P reserves and other troops has been plac ed. between the Oise and the Aisno.