FRENCH OFFICIAL REPORTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 July 1918, Page 2

FRENCH OFFICIAL REPORTS.

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT.]

CONTINUED PROGRESS

LONDON, July 28

A o p.m. French communique reports northwards of the Marne we continued to progress at night time. When our elements reached the right bank, and approached the road wo repulsed sev oral-attacks on our new positions, south wards of Mont Soissons; also north-east ward of St. Ilillare.

Since July 18th our tanks gloriously participated in the battle and drove in the enemy lines, and facilitated the forward rush of the infantry. Tiiey constantly accompanied, or preceded the Allied advance and attacked centres of resistance and enemy batteries. Each section of tanks account for fifteen' to twenty Gorman machine guns and influenced the heaviest lossesSome tanks returned to the battle line four or five times in one day. FRENCH ADVANCE. AUSTRALIAN <fr N.Z. CARLE ASSOCIAin* & REUTER.] PARIS, July,2Bth. As the result of the retreat of the Germans yesterday, the French re-oeeu-pied 20 villages and several important forests. It was a brilliant English attack at Moufaux ChaTiluev, combined with the irresistible tenacious pressure, on the southern part of Marne pocket, which compelled the precipitate enemy retreat. Many of the German forces were literally overwhelmed.

ADVANCE OFTHE FRENCH

TOWN ALTER TOWN CAPTURED

LONDON, July 29

A French communique states that north of tho Marne we continued to advance in the region of the Ourcq, notwithstanding the resistance of the enemy, who attempted to prevent our passage to the river. We succeeded in throwing back the advancing elements to the right bank.

We entered Fore en Tardenois northeast of the forest of Riz.

We reached Champvoisy

Our troops on the right captured Outhenacy, Olizy, Violaine and brought our line appreciably nearer the RlieimsDoimona Road.

In the Champagne sector, two enemy attempts were precede by a bombardment in the region of tho south hills. They were repulsed. An. American official message states that we continue the pursuit northwards of the Marne, despite a determined rearguard action. We crossed the river Ourcq, and captured Ccringer, Etnesies, Scrgv, ana Ronchores.

AN ORDERLY RETREAT.

LONDON, July 28.

Tho retreat began on Friday night the enemy withdrawing his main bodies from the north of the Marne, with strong rearguards covering his retreat ns he retired. Twelve hours later tho French advanced four miles on a twenty mile front between the Ourcq and the Ardre.

Allied cavalry patrols are pressing forward at Brambreay, where the enemy is resisting with long range artillery and machine guns, but is unable to hold the French attack.

The outstanding fact of the present situation is that the enemy does not retain a single inch of ground gained in his offensive on the 15th.

There are good reasons for believing that tho retreat will be on a higher scale than first anticipated; but it is quite an orderly withdrawal and not a rout.

FALLING BACK STEADILY

LONDON, July 28

Tho “Daily Chronicle’s” correspondent with tho French headquarters states that the enemy fell back several miles on the whole Marne front on Frida night. The retreat was effected by the withdrawal of one company out of every two in the first line, then two sections out of each company. The third section retired before dawn leaving small outposts of picked men with machine guns to cover* the retreat. Many of the outposts were wiped out as the Allies pressed forward.

THE KAISER’.? /tECOGNTT 10 N

[AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION]

LONDON July 29.

The “Daily Express” Amsterdam correspondent- says that- the Kaiser at Headquarters, speaking to Karl Rosner said: “The worst days of the -war are still in store for Germany.” General von Hindenburg said: “Tell our patient people that they must learn to wait. A good preparation is half the victory. We are not working with machines, but with the German blood which we must spare for after the war. We need time to catch our breath between each fight. General Iljindenburg’s belated effort has put aside the German High Command’s notion of cannon fodder and has aroused amused comment. INCIDENTS OF ADVANCE. GUN EMPLACEMENTS IN TREES. SPORT FOR AMERICANS. ('Received This Dav at 10.15. a.m.) LONDON, July 29. An American headquarters 'correspondent says the Germans desperately resisted on Villenouve Plateau, which was swept by gunfire. After the French drove off the defenders eventually, our batteries turned the balance of gunpower, and with the plateau won, we had an ideal platform which made the enemy’s Ourcq lino intolerable.

Franco-Americans were then able to advance on the open slopes at a rate hitherto impossible through the woods. Mounted troops are improving their use, but tho armoured cars and "light tanks are ideal weapons for clearing out nests both on the ground and iu trees. Gun platforms iu trees served the enemy admirably in the forest country. American marksmen made sport in bringing them down.