WAR NEWS.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 25 July 1918, Page 3

WAR NEWS.

MONDAY.

Advance Continued — German Reserves Overcome— Soissons Height Won—Main Railway DominatedGreat Capture of Prisoners.

The latest reports show that the enemy was completely surmised by the Allied counterJgpek between the Aisne and the By two o'clock on Thursday afternoon French cavalry was operating six miles ahead of the morning's battlefront. German reserves were brought up, 20 divisions being thrown into the battle. The attack was renewed on Friday by French and American troops with such success that large forces of cavalry were again sent out in advance of the infantry. The positions around Soissons, gained on Thursday, have been completely maintained and substantial progress has been along the whole front to the south. The prisoners taken by the allies since Thursday total 20,000, and 400 guns have been captured. The capture of the high ground at Soissons has enabled the French artillery completely to dominate the railway system on which the Germans on the Marne depend for supplies. The enemy troops in this sector must now draw their supplies entirely by road, over a distance of 30 miles.

TUESDAY

Attacks Renewed—Advance Beyond the Marne — Further' Gains on Main Front—Enemy's Enormous

Losses.

After taking possession of Chateau Thierry on Sunday the French continued to develop their gains north of the Marne and on the main front of attack between Soissons and Chateau Thierry. French and American troops have captured a line of heights four miles north-west of Chateau Thierrv.

Substantial prdgress has been made on both sides of the Ourcq Valley, while pressure against the eastern flank of the salient along the valley of the Ardre, has been effectively continued.

The retreat of the Germans from Chateau Thierry is described as resembling a disorderly flight. The roads leading north were packed with retreating columns which were constantly attacked by aviators.

Fify per cent of theiv effective strength is reported to have been lost by the Germans in their ' retreats across the Marne.

WEDNESDAY

Battle Still Raging — Reserves Euter Confict —British on Marne Sector] — Heavy German Attacks Fall.

The Germans continue to throw in fresh troops between the Aisne and theMarne, and made a strong counter-attack at Grissoles, south of the Ourcq, which was broken, the French maintaining their positions.

The British troops south-west of Rheims have captured 500 machine-guns, while the French south of the Marne captured 45 guns and 400 machine-guns.

A message from London states that Australian and Scottish took Mezy, on the south bank of the five miles north-west of Chateau Thierry.

The reserves of Prince Ruppercht, between Montdidier and the sea, have been drawn upon. Allied reserves from the same sector have been transferred to face them.

Further raids have been made by the British air forces on German towns, railways and factories having been heavily bombed.

THURSDAY

Germans in Peril — Allied Lines Draw Closer —Pressure on Base of Salient —Enemy's Supply under Fire —Montdidier Line Improved.

The distance between thelflanks on the Marne salient has been reduced to 19 miles by the French advance across Soissons-Chateau Thierry road. A zone of six miles en ?each side is under effective artillery fire,leaving the Germans oniipeven miles of safe commuication. One hundred thousand Germans are stated to be practically isolated despite their clever attempts to escape the jaws of General Foch's pincers.

Further substantial progress has been made in the battle of the Marne salient. The Americans have captured Buzacy, four miles south of Soissons, and Jaulgonne on the Marne, The French captured an important height further west, crossed the Marne, and'beat off a German counter-attack.