REUTER’S REPORT.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 October 1918, Page 4

REUTER’S REPORT.

[per PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT. ]

LONDON, Oct. 25. Reuter’s correspondent at British Headquarters on Thursday niglit, reported that between Bois l’Eveque and the Scheldt, the battle was progressing satisfactorily. The French had taken the Forest of Dawafrefhem. The hirst Army had also attacked on Thursday morning and crossed the Scheldt river at various places. The principal opposition encountered was at Yerchain and Monchaux. Those crossings bring the Allies into clear country south of Valcneieu-

Wo are progressing slowly but surely between the Scheldt and the Oise-Cain-brai canal. The present ojjerations ar t . of greater significance- than can be realised without a comprehensive survey of the whole western, front. 'J he past three days have made more definitely towards final victory than many more spectacular events. At the present rat, of fighting the Germans will have very attentuated group corps when the line of the Meuse is reached. The German High Command’s admonitions that the Army must fight hard now to avoid a humiliating defeat are producing their effect, ■Machinegunners are sticking to their posts in the early summer fashion. Prisoners are comparatively few. A two days’ total is 7,200 with over a hundred guns. The line now runs along the edge of the great Mormal Forest, wlieie, if thr Germans elected to stand, they are expected to furnish a hard task. ' They fought fiercely in the Sommaing region and General Rawlinson experienced considerable trouble in l’Eveque Wood before tbe last- machine-gun was silenced.

'ENEMY LINE THREATENED. LONDON, Octbor 20

Reuter’s correspondent at French Headquarters writing on the evening of the 25th, says General Debeney’s Army betwo’n the Oise and Serre rivers is at tacking General von Huticr’s so-called Hermann position on a fifteen miles front. The Germans have converted the villages into fortresses and resisting most bitterly, knowing the safety of the army facing General Gonrand on the Aisne, depends on the Hermann line holding. Huticr has another chain of positions, some miles in the rear, namely, on the western edge of Hunching line. The Hermann defences are. al ready penetrated at several points, and with the entry to-day of General Mangin’s and General Guillamat’s armies in the region of Chateau Porcien are extending the battlefront forty miles. The Hundnng defence have been fought clean through and. resistance to. General "Dehenev is appreciably weakening.

NO PAUSE. LONDON, October 27

Reuter’s correspondent, writing from British Headquarters on the 26th October, states that- the five British armies are giving tlie Germans no respite. Whenever there is a pause it is merely to deal a fresh blow. There was desperate fighting to-day along the western fringe of ten. miles long of the Morin a 1 Forest, between Le Gateau and Mnuberuge. It must he reeking with gas that we pumped into it. Despite the severe opposition we are making good progress. The number of German dead lying about testifies to the intensity of their resistance. Tlie Germans are trying to flood the country in order to hamper our movements, hut. luckily the season up to the present is dry.