ON THE WESTERN FRONT.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 August 1918, Page 3

ON THE WESTERN FRONT.

[per PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPTBIofIT.}

THE BATTLE FRONT.

(Roooived This Day at 11.10 a.m.) PAS IS, July 31. Exports agreo that the present hand to hand fighting is merely a proludo to the next great battle. The enemy are striving desperately to consolidate their front and both wings. Semi-official—The Allies north of the Marne ar© no longer facing isolated rearguards, but a continuous line of resistance, defended by considerable forces. The enemy is busily reorganising his rear and there is not tho least hope of revenge, either on tliis front or elsewhere. FRENCH OPERATIONS. ! . HEAVY FIGHTING. [AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLfc ASSOCIATION & REUTER.] (Received this day at 1.30 p.m.) . ' LONDON, July 31. A 4 p.m. French communique reports after a strong bombardment the Germans attacked our now positions east of Oulchy le Chateau. "We repulsed the assault, maintaining our lines intact. On the ring bank of the Oureq there were lively engagements north-east of Fere en Tarenois. The village of Seringes passed from hand to hand, and was finally carried by an American counterattack.

There were numerous enemy raids near Messil St. George’s, east of Mont Didier, Bois le Pretre, on the right bank of the Meuse and in the Vosges, which proved unsuccessful. We raided north-east of Perthos le Surlus.

CAPTURE OF MUNITIONS

BIG FINDS SECURED

(Received this day at 1.30 p.m.)

LONDON, July 31

Reuter’s correspondent and American Headquarters in a Tuesday evening’s message says, the battle at Chalmont has been the centre of enemy resistance on the west salient. Its capture by. the Allies brings much needed assistance to the flank of the American line at Seringe-s. It is certain to be a costly business to take the Forest, of Nesle, but there are alternative possibilities in tho open ground est of the railway, now that Butte Chalmont is in our hands. It is still impossible to estimate tho enemy’s, enormous losses of munitions. The forest roads are bordered with shells for miles. Dumps covering acres, and piled to a height of a, man have been discovered.