THE WESTERN FRONT

Hokitika Guardian, 28 September 1918, Page 3

THE WESTERN FRONT

[FEU TRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.]

FRESH AMERICAN PUSH

EIGHT TOWNS CAPTURED. OTTAWA, September 27. The Americans attacking north-west of Verdun, have penetrated the enemy lines to an average depth of seven miles. They have captured eight towns. 'The Americans have also secured more than five thousand prisoners. The towns captured are: Mehincourb Bet-hincourt, Mont Fa neon, Cuisv. Mantillis, Feptsarges, Dannevoux, and Gercourt. The Americans in the Verdun region liave now captured a total of twelve towns.

ENEMY SHOWS LITTLE FIGHT

LONDON, September 26

The Franeo-American offensive was ?on a forty miles front, between the rivers Tripp®, and Meuse. The attacking forces progressed to a depth of sonic miles. The enemy voluntarily abandoned his forward positions so there consequently was little artillery, and infantry resistance..

FOCH’S STRATEGY

AN IMPORTANT MOVE. (Received This Dnv nr !).'«b am A NEW YORK, Sept. 27. The “Times,” Washington correspondent says the opinion of military officials there is that the keystone of the great German dofenco arch on the West Front, is now under assault in the latest Franco-American offensive in Champagne region selected by General Foch for attack. It is considered by military experts lo have the widest strategic possibilities. TACTICAL ADVANCE. (Received This Day at G.Jo a.m.l NEW YORK, Sep. 27. General Pershing’s communique announcing an important American .victory in Verdun region was received with the greatest satisfaction and elation in military, official and diplomatic cirles. The success is considered one of the most notable advances since General Focli’s offensive started. ATTACK ON VARiENNES. (Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.; NEW YORK, Sept, 27. Mr James, on the West Front report the American First Army under Major-General Ligget, attacked between the Meuse and Aisno on a twenty mile front and smashed through the Hindenburg line . Our line now runs through Forges the Forest of Nantollois to the Meuse . The attack started at 5.30. a.m. after a three hours intense artillery preparation. The brunt of the attac,v in the centre fell on a Corps, composed of Kansas, Pennysylvania and Missouri troops who stormed Vnrennes, Mont ‘Blinville, Vaukquois, Cheppy, in the face of the most stubborn resistance by the Prussian guard. Tanks aided brilliantly in the region of Varennes. Aeroplanes held full supremacy throughput the advance. American troops are pressing forward beyond the old German defence hues.

16,000 PRISONERS. NEW YORK, Sept. 27. Tho Allies have captured 16,000 prisoners in the Champagnc-Argonne drive.

PUSH FOR CAMBR AI

6,000 PRISONERS, j,-..,. *" ■ 'W -f 1’ VA nm ' LONDON. September 2t. The British have launched an offensive in the direction of Cambrni and have advanced three miles on a thirteen mile front and taken six thousand pritoners. WITHIN THREE MILES OF CAMbrai. Hie British nr© within three miles of (lambrai . SUCCESS NEAR ST. QUENTIN. (Received This Day at U. 15 a.m.) LONDON. Sep. 27. General Haig reports during the past few days the First and Sixth Divisions of the Ninth Corps under Lt.-General Braithwaite captured, by hard fighting, at a small cost, an intricate system of trenches and strong points m the woods and villages north-westward of St. Quentin, prisonering fifteen hundred The enemy counter-attacks were’repulsed with great gallantry and determination;

GERMAN REPORT. (Received This Dav at 10.15. a.mi (Received LONDON, Sep. 27. Wireless German official. —In Champa one and between Argonne and the Meuse Fra neo-American attacks commenced on a wide front. After eleven hours urtillerying a break through was frustrated. The fight for our positions continues. AMERICAN CAPTURES. An American communique says m addition to the particulars already reported the First Army penetrated the enemy linos to an average depth ot seven miles. Besides Geneial Log* sett's Army other troops crossed Forces Brook, and captured the Bois-de-Forges and the towns of Bethincourt. Separgos, Dnnnevoux, Gercourt and Drillaneourt, m addition to the places already mentioned. The prisoners thus far reported are over five thousand.

ANOTHER ACCOUNT.

WASHINGTON Sept, 27

I Mr Raker, War See re ary, witnessed | the start of the American offensive westof Verdun. After the enemy was bombarded with high explosive and gas, the Tanka advanced, smashing the wire entanglements and destroying machine gun nests. The airmen, swooping over the enemy trenches prevented them from discovering what was impending. Already the Americans have captured Malancourt, Mount Faucon, Cuicy, and other points. German opposition is strengthening and new divisions are arriving. The gas attack overwhelmed Bonquoi.s where forty miles of subterranean passagos were, known to exist The first town was surprised by ft circle of artillery fire .