Another Thrust for Paris.

Taihape Daily Times, 10 June 1918, Page 5

Another Thrust for Paris.

GREAT ATTACK LAUNCHED. BETWEEN NOYON AND MONT DIDIER. PREPARING TO DEFEND . THE CITY. Received noon. LONDON, June 9. At 6.50 the Germans launched a great fkttack between iNoyon and Montdidier. .The battle is progressing. The enemy's gains are confined to the advanced zone. The objective of the advance is towards Paris. A Paris correspondent reports that a committee has been appointed under the Minister of War for the Defence of the capital, and charged with the formation of an entrenched

camp. General Dubail has been appointed President of.the Committee. AUSTRALIAN HEROES. LONDON, June S. I Mr. Perceval Phillips says: Enemy raids constitute the sole activity oh the British front, all of which have been lamentable failures. The Australians are the heroes of the following typical raid: At least 200 picked German infantry participated in an expedition against the Australians south of Morlancourt. They expected to catch the Australians napping, but disillusionment could not have been more complete. The Australians prisonered twenty-one and- captured four machine guns. Twenty-five bodies were counted in No Man's Land. Other raids north of Lens, northeast of Hinges, near La Bassee, eastward of Nieppe Forest and .southward of Ypres, all left prisoners in our hands. Onl3 r in one place were British kidnapped. BRILLIANT FRANCCAM ERICAN OPERATION. Received 10.40 a.m. LONDON, June 9. Reuter's "correspondent at Frencsi Headquarters, writing on the 7th, says the attack by a' combined force of French and Americans west of Chateau Thierry, on a four and a-half mile front, was a brilliant affair. The Germans held a strong line in wooded country. The French on the left, rushing through Veuilly and Bushieres, captured both villages, crossed the stream, and were progressing towards the heights of Santevesnes. When the last reports were received the Amricans on the right had advanced their line a mile in the course of the morning, and captured Bouresches. Both forces took prisoners, the number whereof is not yet counted.

CAPTURE OF BROAD HiLL. deceived 10.5 a.m. PARIS,. June S. Importance is attached to the capture of Broad Hill, west of Chateau Thierry, which has an altitude of 450 feet, dominating the town and river. POSSIBLE MOVES. WHAT WILL THE GERMANS DO? PARIS, June 7. Mr. Henri Bidon, discussing possible moves, says: The extension of the German flanks must precede any new onslaught towards Paris. Allied retaliation becomes more dangerous as the southward advance extends. The Allies hold strong points d'appul, extending from Amiens to Chaesy. In a movement thence towards Paris, only precarious mediocre positions would be assailable, the breaking or which might end in disaster. A similar movement on the enemy's left would need most careful guarding of the flank. LONDON, June 7. The situation there moreover, is that we are driven so far back we have little room to manoeuvre. We cannot retire further without exposing vital objects, and must therefore fight where we stand. There is no cause for the slightest despondency; we have ample reason for confidence owing f o the splendid fighting qualities of the French and the great competence of the High Command. Our army feels the highest confidence in Foch_ The German claims of 55,000 prisoners and six hundred guns is probably exaggerated, but when the rapid retreat is considered the loss 4s not great even if the German estimate' be true. The French staff work in destroying and removing stores was excellent.