THE WESTERN FRONT

Hokitika Guardian, 30 July 1918, Page 2

THE WESTERN FRONT

[run PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.]

ALLIES ENTER FERE EN T ARDENOIS-

LONDON, July 29. During the morning Allied patrols entered fere on 1 ardenois.

PERSUING THE HUN

WASHINGTON July 2S

General Pershing reports that between the Ourcq and the Marne, the i American and Allied troops are pmsning the Germans, whose resistance has broken down. | TUT. ENEMY DESPERATE. j it LOWING UP ROADS AND. j bridges. | PARIS, July 28. I The Germans arc desperately trying 'to make nil roads impassable. They blowing up bridges in order to 1 impede the Allied advance, i The French now hold the southern 1 bank of the Ourcq, near Vilerstur Fere, i It is expected that the Germans will ! retire to the Vcslc, and the river Crisc, ; south of Soissons, which means that they have still 20 miles to retreat.

ENEMY RETREAT.

ON CHESSBOARD SYSTEM

LONDON, July 28

French Headquarters reports that the retreat is on the chessboard system. He adapted the same retreat on March, 1917. no is greatly hampered by the daring of our infantry . Eight tanks belonging to General Mangin’s army faced the strongest enemy positions, protected by a flank lire from the north hank of the Aisnc. One British Division with General Mangin was engaged in local operations. They gained much ground despite the most obstinate resistance. -

A BIG DEFEAT. LONDON, July 28. A Paris message from the front states that the enemy is fighting desperated v owing to an order to cover the retirement in the centre. The pursuit indicates that the Crown Prince’s defeat will bo on a disastrous scale .

SOUTH-EAST OF RIIEIMS

HERMANS RUN LIKE RABBITS

LONDON, July 29

The “Daily Chronicle” correspondent at French Headquarters, writes: “ Early oti Sunclav morning, Allied patrols* making their way ahead, reached Fere cn Tardenois, which will soon be in our hands. The German opposition in the centre was much less determined than on the wings, but the enemy massed many guns on the western flank along the Ai»«« "<?ar Chavigny. Ours wore hastily withdrawn in a fierce rear-guard battle. The Germans south-west ol Rlieims are also trying to hold fast under the protection of massed artillery. Round St. Thierry a sudden oi a German division at the height of the battle had much to do with the final failure of the enemy troops, to defend the Marne. Germans defending the positions

>th of Jaulgonne were seized wun panic and droned their arms and ran like rabbits, with the Franco-Amcricans in hot. pursuit.

Tlie German High Command threw in two fresh divisions who were brought up in motor lorries and retarded the Allies advance during the night, but the rest of the Germans wore forced to abandon the Marno .

NORTH OF OURCQ

GERMANS RESISTING

(ACSTRALIAN it N.Z. CAULK ASSOCIATION]

(Received This Dav at 9.3 ft. am.) WASHINGTON, July 29. The Germans are risisting violently north of the Ourcq, and are seeking to reeross the river.

AUSTRALIAN CAPTURES. fAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION it REUTER.] , « NEW YORK July 29. The Australians captured two lines of trenches on a two mile front, oast of Amiens taking one hundred prisoners. RETREAT CONTINUES. FURTHER. CAPTURES. f AUBTRM.TAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION] (Received This Dav at 9.50. a.m.) NEW YORK. July 29. The German retreat continues. The enemy are burning the villages and stubbornly resisting. Hie Rheims-Dor-mans road has been captured and the pursuit of the Germans continues. The enemy are now across the Ourcq. Franco-Arnericans have captured the villages of Nesles, Sergy and Roneheres. NEW GERMAN OFFENSIVE. EAST OF RHEIMS. (Received This Dav at 11.26. a m.) LONDON, July 29. Germans have started a now battle, east of Rheims, in the neighbourhood of Mont satsnom. Fighting is continuing.

PROGRESS OF RETIREMENT

[“reutek’s” telegram.] (Received This Day at 9.50. a.m.) I LONDON, July 29. American Headquarters reporting on the 28th in the afternoon says thanks to the dense woods, the enemy were able to delay the advancing armies and Hold up thousands with nests of ma-chine-guns. Hence the enemy’s losses were infinistosimal compared with the time gained. They saved most of their guns, although they were obliged to destroy the ammunition. Tile abandonment of the Manic, however, which the enemy held as long as possible, in order to keep the important railway from Epernay to Chateau Thierry under observation, will considerably accentuate our progress. The pace has already quickened and it is already certain the enemy will not stand on the Ourcy. Doubtless when we roached his prepared positions, we shall find him in great strength. 'What the Germans have chiefly suffered from, is the immense set back to their plans. Possibly they will be unable to recover before the end of the coming season.