THE WESTERN FRONT

Hokitika Guardian, 6 November 1918, Page 2

THE WESTERN FRONT

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION'. —COPYRIGHT.] APPLY TO FOCH. WHAT GERMANY HAS TO DO. (Received this day at i 1.25 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 5. Hon. Llyod George stated that the Allies have decided that Germany must apply to Marshal Foch if she wants aiu armistice. , THE MEUSE ADVANCE. PARIS, Nov. 4. The Fourth French and First American armies continue to make good progress west of the Meuse. I hey have ad vanced seven miles on a thirty-mile front. Telegrams from the American front state the German retreat is rapidly becoming disorganised. Our second day’s attack, on a twenty-mile kilometre front, secured an average advance of four kilometres. The aviators, flying fifty feet over the German troops, are mercilessly machine-gunning them, until they scatter in a disorderly rush for retuge of any. kind. WEST FRONT SHAKING. LONDON November 4. The whole of the West Front is now quivering under the shock of attacks and counter-attacks, from the Dutch frontier to the junction of the British and French, forces beyond St- Quentin. The Germans issued orders explaining that a favourable armistice was impossible unless t.he troops put up a good fight. The present fighting is as hard as it has been at any time. The German infantry are showing qualities similar to 1914. The British have captured St Hubert and a spur eastward of Levcqv.e Wood, as a result of which we are able to accelerate the German retirement. The latter are again blowing up bridges, railways and streams, particularly at the Scheldt, where the Belgians are advancing rapidly. Sir Douglas Haig reports: Following on the severe defeat inflicted up on him during the past two days, the enemy has withdrawn from his positions eastward and south-eastward of Valenciennes. We observed the movement, and we are keeping contact with the German rearguards and taking numbers of prisoners. We have enfered Fillers Pol, Jenlain, Curgies j Estreux, and Onnning. Local fighting westward had resulted to our advantage. THE ALLIES’ AIM. LONDON November 4. The aim of tho advance of the Americans between the Aisnc and the Meuse Rivers is an attempt to cut the railway from Thiouvillc to Montemedy, Mezieres and Uirson. The Americans are- now within twelve miles of the line If they succeed, it will have an almost disastrous effect upon the enemy’s communications and would thrust the co-eater part of their supply work upon the lines running through the bottle neck of Liege, Namur and Charleroi The enemy's position .in the centre before the French haq become extremely bad. The success of the present Allied manoeuvre would divide the German forces into two strong wings, one in Belgium and tho other operating, roughly in Lorraine. Probably this would mean an extensive retirement from Belgium to the Meuse . In the north the Allies are now just, west of Ghent, on the left bank of the Tonouzef canal, which is a big obstacle. It. is bridged with swing bridges that are easily removed. A direct assault is almost, out. of the question, hut the Allies may turn the position by their operations elsewhere. GENERAL ADVANCE MADE. LONDON November 4. This morning’s attack was delivered against the weakest part of the German defence south of Valenciennes. Itwas between the Scheldt and the Sombre rivers, extending from Valenciennes roughly to Oisy. The French, further south, arc also attacking on both sides of Guise. The passages of the -Sombre and Oise have been forced by the Allies. The British have reached the line of the small river Aunellc on the FrancoBelgian frontier, east of Valenciennes. EXTENT OF THE ADVANCE. LONDON, Nov. 4. A evening report shows the AngloFrench have advanced between a mii» and two miles on practically the whole of a thirty-mile front. They have priisonered 4000, and have captured Lnndrecies. • BRITISH CAPTURE 10,000. LONDON, Nov. 5. The Britsh have made a deep breach n the enemy’s whole front. They have taken 10,000 premiers and have entered Oisy. > CAPTURE OF LE QUESNOY. (Received This Day at 8.45 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 5. The British have captured Le QuosI noy. THE FRONT ADVANCES (Received this day at 11.25 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 5. Practically the whole front between the Meuse and the Scheldt, rivers was advanced a mile to two miles. Fighting is proceeding at Le Quesnoy, where the position is obscure. Tho enemy is heavily coitnter-attaeking from MormaL Forest, the southern part whereof was penetrated for a milfe. Tli© French line now runs along the (southern hank of th* Ardennes cntnnl,