FRENCH OFFICIAL REPORTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 October 1918, Page 2

FRENCH OFFICIAL REPORTS.

fAUSTRALIAN N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION! A FRENCH DRIVE, , AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION it REUTER.] LONDON, October 27. A French communique states supported by/ Tanks, we began to-day, a vigorous drive between the Oise and Serre rivers. Wo hustled tho enemy out of strong defences and captured numerous villages and numerous prisoners. Germans between Sissonno and Chateau Porcien repeatedly counter-at-tacked in great strength but were everywhere Fepulsed. We have taken 2,300 prisoners in this region since yesterday. One division alone captured one hundred machine-guns.

SUCCESSFUL OPERATIONS

[ ‘•IUCUTEn V * TELEGRAM.] LONDON, October 27

A French communique reports on the front between the Oise and Serre, .the enemy, shaken by yesterday’s fighting has given way along the whole line, and had withdrawn northwards abandoning the line of positions. Wc captured Mont d/Origwy, Saint Benoito, Courjumelles and Chevresnos Monceau; also numerous fortified points d'nppui between, these villages. On our right, our units crossed H Peronne and progressed north-east. Wo captured Hill 117 a sugar factory 15(JO metres east of Pichecourt. Tho numbers of prisoners further increased. On the Serre front the Tenth Army supporting the movement of the First Army, also mndo fresh gains. We crossed the Serre east of Assis and alsopenetrated the German trenches east of Sissonne. A violent German counter attack in the region of Marquing farm was shattered by our fire. We prisonerod 0ver2450 between Sissonne and Chateau Porcien on Friday and Saturday.

FRENCH PROGRESS

LONDON, October 27

iA French Headquarters correspondent states: General Debeney’s army after three days and night’ uninterrupted fighting, dislodged the enemy from the Hermann line and is pursuing him to the next line a few miles northward. There has never been harder fighting than that in which the French, British and Belgian armies are now engaged. It was the advance of the Anglo-Belgi-ans in the north that caused Marshal Foch’s order to attack east of the Oise General Petain has since engaged three fresh armies successfully. The battle to-day extended from the Dutch frontier to the Aisne. Tho Germans know what' is at slake and are fighting as they did in 1914. Their machinegunners, covering the infantry in retreat to-day, died at their posts rathor than surrender.

MARLE CAPTURED. WELLINGTON. This Day. The High Commissioner reports from London on Oct- 28th at 2 a.m.: French official—The enemy was closely pursued and continued his retreat between the Oise and the SeiT-e rivers on a front of more than 15 miles. Our advance at- certain points exceeded five miles. We arc approaching the road to Guise. We have captured Marie (north-east of Laon), and also a considerable amount of material.

GREAT FRENCH SUCCESS. 37,000 PRISONERS. (Received This Day at 0.25 a.m.) LONDON, Oct- 28. A 3.15 a.m. French communique states tlie enemy, pursued bv our advance guards, continued his retreat between tlio Oise and Serro rivers on a front exceeding 15 miles. Our advance to-day exceeded five miles at certain points. We carried Boheries, Proix and Maquignv, and pushed on to the outskirts of Guise. Further south we approached the Guise-Marie road, on the general line of Bertaignemont- Wood, Landifay, Bertaignemont, west of Fancourey, Moncea u-lei-Nenf, Montigney - sur Crecy. We captured numerous prisoners and considerable material. Prisoners captured by the First Army since October 2-ith number 37,000. The booty for tho same period includes 20 guns, and several hundreds of'machineguns. The Tenth Army co-operating with the First on the Serre Front is vigorously pushing the enemy northwards. Wb occupied Crecy-iSur-Serre. The fighting 'during the last two days has obliged the •'enemy to abandon part m the Hunding position between Herpy and (Recouvrance. We aro following the heels of the enemy.