WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 14 June 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

EFFECT OF COUNTER ATTACK. PARIS, June 12. It is too early to estimate the results of the successful French counterattack, but it is 'significant that a German communique states that the intended results of the battle have been gained. GERMANY WANTS TO SMASH BRITAIN ’ S -POWER. AMSTERDAM, June 12. The Amsterdam Kreuz Zeitung says that the war cannot be ended by settlement of tentorial difficulties!, but if England assures the freedom of the seas by reducing the Navy, dismantling Gibraltar, Malta Aden, Singapore, and intcr#ation'alising these harbours, Germany would not need the *■ Flanders ; coast, and would surrender Belgium. . * SEA BATTLE. WITH NEXT BIG ATTACK. LONDON, June 12. A considerable' body of British naval opinion supports M. Marcel Butin ’s view that a sea battle may synchronise with the great attack on the north front. It is believed that if the Germans think they are winning they will risk everything in a wild effort to increase the strain everywhere to break down the Allies' nerve. FRENCH PEOPLE’S CONFIDENCE. LONDON, June 12. '' ■ < Paris comments show marked satisfaction with yesterday’s’ fighting, and j a continuance of invincible confidence tinged with some suspense. The Homme Libre” says that when the battle is ended the enemy may have reserves larger than ours, but if we hold the forests of Compeigne, Laigue and Yillers Cotterets, we will have won. ENTRENCHING PARIS. LONDON, June 12. While the committee appointed by M. Clemenceau is studying measures defence of otho city, it must be emphasised that the Government does no expect Paris do be brought within the range of steady bombardment, or actually endangered CZECHO SLOVAK ARMY, i RECOGNITION BY BRITAIN. LONDON, June 12. Mr. Balfour, in a letter to the Czecho-Slovak National Council in Paris, intimates that the British Government will give the Czecho-Slovak movement the same recognition as France and Italy, and recognise the Czecho-Slovak army, to which a British liaison officer will be attached. MONDAY NIGHT’S FIGHT. LONDON,* June 12. A French communique states: “Between Montdidier and the Oise the battle continued without anH- great change last evening and night. On the left all the enemy’s attempts to coun-ter-attack were shattered. We made new progress east of Mery and Senlis Wood. The Germans, by violent attacks, also attempted to drive us back OH the Aronde, and on the front from Bt. Manr, through Des Loges Farm We bore the shock, in9ft fHfeted very heavy losses on the attackers and maintained our positions. The - Germans are attacking' between Hi© Aisno and the forest of Yillers, Cotterets, Desperate fighting is proceeding.

ENEMY RENEWS PRESSURE. FOOTING GAINED ON SOUTH BANK OF THE MATZ. LONDON, June 12. A French communique states: Between Montdidier and the Oise the enemy renewed his pressure. All his attempts on our left to recapture our yesterday's gains failed. We progressed in the region of Bolloy Wood and St. Maur, and took -iOu more prisoners, several guns and num. ercus machine guns. There is no change in the St. MauiAntheuil front. The Germans on our right renewed their attacks on the Matz river, and after several costly attempts, gainea a footing on the southern bank, also in the village of Melicccq, and the heights of Ricord Cross. Our troops east of the Oise on Monday night effected a withdrawal on the line Bailly-Tracy Lival, west of Nampcal, protected by a covering detachment, which masked the movement. We Tepulsed an enemy attack in the region of Haute Braye and took prisoners. FOCH ABLE TO HOLD ON.' NEW YORK, June 12. Paris believes that Foch* will be able to hold the line for four montns, when there will be a million and aquarter Americans in Franee. FRENCH JN A BAD CORNER. . LONDON, June 12. The most serious aspect of Von Kutitr's attack is the gain of territory west of the Oise, whence the French •had to retire to Ribecourt, as the rrv r er was behind them and unbridged. The withdrawal has created a deep French salient on the left bank of the Oise from Ribecourt to Sempigny. The salient is only four miles wide at tn» narrowest point so that readjustment of the French line may be essential. Yon Hutier's plans included the capture of Compeigne by Sunday evening, but General Schooler's cavalry sr-11 have six miles co go. SOUTH OF THE AISNE. LONDON, June 12. French communique: South of tlie A;sne the Germans this morning attacked between the river and the Forof Villers Cotterets, desperate flatting occurrying on the front Domhieis to Cutry to south of Ambleny (between Soissons and Compeigne Forest). A COMPLETE FAILURE. FATE 'OF ENEMY'S MAIN EFFORT LONDON, June 12. Beuter's correspondent at French Headquarters, writing on the morning o fthe 12th, says: The enemy's main effiort on the line Chevincourt-Mache-mont-Bethaneonrt, was a compleM? failure. Under the fire of our machineguns and artillery, German infantry waves hesitated and then rolled back In the centre the Germans got momentarily possession of Machemont, but were ejected by a counter-attack, It is now known that the Germans began the battle with fourteen divisions, which were all engaged during the first day. The attack in the centre along the Valley of the Matz, which was most successful, was entrusted to five divisions, including some of the enemy's best troops—one Guards and Chasseur division. The enemy's main objective the first day was the block of wooded hills between the Oise and the Matz, which he turned by an advance down the Matz Valley. After three days' hard fighting he reached the first day's objective, in this quarter. The second day's objective was

the city of Compeigne, which is still far away. It was brought no nearer by yesterday's fighting. The most , memorable incident of the battle was the defence of Plemont by cavalrymen. This hill, the main French observation post in the Lassigny sector, was defended by dismounted, cuirassiers, a few. hundred strong, who held out against incessant attacks from 4. o'clock on Sunday morning till midday on Monday. The commander sent wireless message hourly saying the defenders were still holding out. The last message, when the hill was surrounded, said: "We are done for." The cuirassiers succumbed to the twentieth attack after thirty-two hours In the Matz Valley, a crack German -Chasseur division -was -cut to pieces. The Guards also suffered very heavy losses. Our left enemy divisions were engaged for three days in a battle for a line of villages, which *are still in our hands. He must have left half his numbers on the field. We now hold some points on the original German lines. The general impression is that although the battle will continue for several days, the enemy's rush is stemmed. TRENCH MAKE GALLANT RESISTANCE. LONDON, June 12. At 7.20 this evening, » French communique stated: On our right, the Germans, despite repeated efforts were unable to debouch on the southern bank of the Matz, We hold the southern part of Chevincourt iand the station at St. Aurmatz. ' According to the latest information ova- counter-attack , yesterday, forestalled a powerful enemy atttack, which was preparing on the same front. We encountered great forces, which wo overran. Prisoners taken by one of our divisions belonged to four different enemy divisions. .GERMANS ANXIOUS TO .FORCE. CLIMAX. NEW YORK, June 12. Mr. Grasty, the New York Times correspondent states: The enemy is determined, at whatever cost, to hasten the climax of the battle. This is proved by the Crown Prince borrowing four divisions from Prince Rupprecht. GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT. LONDON, June 12.

We repulsed with very heavy losses a French counter attack south-west or Noyon. We threw the enemy, back on the whole front, from Le Ployron to Antheuil, and cleared the enemy out of the west bank of the Oise northward, of the junction with the Matz. Prisoners now number 13,000. The enemy evacuated Carlepont Wood. We pursued, and reached a line running northward of Bailly, through Tracy-le-Vai to westward of Nampool. After hard fighting on the 11th Von Hutier repulsed an expected counter attack for the recapture of a group of hills south-west of Noyon, carried out in strength by several French divisions. Armoured cars, brought in great numbers, were shot to pieces on the battlefield. Our counter attack shattered the enemy's assault between Mery and Belloy. There was bitter fighting until nightfall. We are pursuing the enemy beyond Carlepont and Caisnes. The enemy, regardles of sacrifices, kept up attacks north-west of Chateau Thierry, which broke down sanguinarily. A GERMAN OPINION. ALLIED RESERVES USED UP. Received 9.15 a.m. AMSTERDAM, June 13. Although German semi-official messages insist there is no fear of tlrt? Entente's army of manoeuvre intervening in the present battle, several German critics refuse to accept the War Office's view that Foch's reserves are exhausted. This view was emphasised in von Stir's survey of the military position in the Reichstag. He claimed great success for the Crown Prince's attack, by which the French had been forced to use reserves picked from the British front. Thus adequate reserves were in action at Chemin des Dames. The Entente was coming to recognise that they had sustained a heavy defeat. NEW ATTACK LAUNCHED. GERMANS HURLED BACK. Received 9 a.m. LONDON, June 13. South of the Aisne, between Soissons and the Marne, the Germans launched a new offensive, believefr to be a renewal of the direct Paris drive. The French hurled the enemy back north of the Matz River. The Americans broke up a violent German assault at Belleau.

GERMANS' BULL RUSH STOPPED. FRENCH NOTE OF OPTIMISM. 210 GERMAN DIVISIONS ENGAGED GERMAN PRISONERS CRESTFALLEN. PEACE PROMISED BY JULY. Received 9.10 a.m. LONDON, June 12. Since Fetch's afternoon communique Paris experts are optimistic that the German bull rush has been stopped. It is estimated that 210 German divisions have been engaged since March' 21st. Each division has lost a minimum of two* thousand men each day they entered the line. It is noteworthy that the Germans show no elation. The Americans captured 34 German officers, and they state the High Command promised peace by July. The officers now realise this is impossible, and criticise the utter recknessness of the present offensive, entailing most terrible losses. They say disease is rampant in Germany, children under ten dying. FRENCH COUNTER ATTACK. ON ASSEMBLED GERMANS. Received 9.20 a.m. - LONDON, June 13. French headquarters at 2.35 a.m. on the 12th issued the following report: Our counter attack yesterday between Courcelles and Belloy was~delivered just as the Germans assembled for an ' attack, consequently their position was held strongly and fighting was bitter. The Anglo-French air squadron flew over the front of the infantry, spraying the Germans with bullets from "a height of a few score yards, while •the bombing mackites attacked enemy concentrations in a fearless manner. Owing to the overcrowded front the enemy's losses were of the heaviest. Their strength was remarkable, . four divisions being identified on a front or 3500 yards.. .., GERERAL MAURICES REVIEW. GERMAN RESERVES DWINDLING. POSITION IMPROVED BY FRENCH COUNTER ATTACKS. Received 9.40 a.m. LONDON, June 12. General Maurice says the Germans have established themselves on Thiescourt Plateau. The French fell back from the salient to the other bank of the Oise and evacuated Carlefont woods. But while the French hold Belloj>- Ridge and heights on the south bank of the Matz, near the junction with the Oise, they should be able to hold the Laigue Forest Plateau, between the Oise and the Aisne, and* cover Compeigne. With his reserves steadily diminishing' Hindenburg has reached a position when he will be unable to maintain the pressure towards Paris and simultaneously attack the- British front on the contemplated scale. Prince Rupprecht is probably capable of attacking heavily, but the drafts must be dwindling, and one of Germany's offensives must now be weakened for the benefit of the other. The Germans have now started an attack on the Soissons front southward;! of the Aisne, on the eastern flank of the salient wherein Compeigne lies; but the danger of this move is lessened by the success of the French counter attack, which has improved the Allies' immediate situation, though days of anxiety are far from over.

BRITISH ASSIST FRENCH IN NO YON BATTLE. LONDON, June 12. At 2.30 this morning Sir Douglas Haig issued an aviation report stating: Our aeroplanes assisted a French counter attack in the western portion of the Noyon battle-front on the 11th by special patrols dealing with German machines, and vigorous and constant bombing of the enemy's trenches, gun positions and communications in the same area. We destroyed ten German aeroplanes and drove down four uncontrollable. The British lost three. Two British machines, which were missing yesterday, have returned. Anglo-French squadrons, since the German attack in the Noyon sector, dropped twenty-one tons of bombs and accounted for twenty-nine enemy machines. On the British front, two German fhachines were shot down, and two driven down uncontrollable. One British machine is missing. Night-fliers heavily attacked the railway at Cambrai, and billets at Flemicourt. DISTINCT HUN CHECK. DESPEEATE FRENCH COURAGE. Received 9.55 a.m LONDON,' June 13 Mt George. Perris, cabling this morning, says the outlook is decidedly more cheerful, and the battle has taken

15>J j a better turn. The German onset on i the third day has suffered , .a. distinct cheek owing to the remarkable series of ■ French counter-attacks' "yesterday. They began eastward of the railway between Demfront and Wacqucm.oulen a distance of eight miles, .the-infan-try, supported by tanks sweeping back the Germans along the whale ,-liEg, One,; French contingent actually' reached jiaints (within ,the German- front. The advance went well beyond'Rubescourt and Lefretory and beyond:Belloy to the border of St. Maur. Meanwhile the enemy delivered a powerful" blow in the centre reaching Antheul, despite a vigorous opposition. A further counter attack from our left completely arrested the advance. A certain amount of want of fusion was apparent in the German ranks during these combats and the fact that a thousand prisoners were taken speaks elosuently. But these were not their heaviest punishment. Eye-witnesses say corpses were strewn over the battlefield. The enemy effort overlapped to our right and centre in an attempt to debouch by the Ma!tz Valley to the Oise. This proved a complete failure. The French repulsed repeated assaults at Chevincourt, while Marehemont and Thancour'ct frequently changed hands. The battle was raging till late in the; night for three critical days therefor at enor- ; mous losses, which has not' given the ■ enemy a very magnificent result. Von Huticr has met his match in the French lines, who in the afteroon held all the way round from an important position at Mery by St. Maur and Antheuii to Marest and Chevincourt.. Yesterday's counter-attack was met.' by great bodies of the enemy, who was preparing to force another advance. Four divisions were ranged ill la space of two miles, 'hence . the" frightful intensity of the combat and abnormal slaughter. French tanks, did excellently, also fleets of British and French aeropanes, which swept down upon the battlefield before and' behind the infantry, dropping bombs, raining down machinegun fire wherever a group of enemy soldiers. were seen, making good our numerical in infantry. In this way the real battle which aims at the destruction of the invaders, not territorial gains, was won. The German command openly avowed its aim in the morning when new developments of the offensive took place on the east flankof the salient from Moulins and Sous to Avent and to the Aisne; also southwards of the Aisne from Ambleny to' Dommers. It became apparent the wide attack amounted to an .admission of a check westward-, of the Oise, and there was a poor prospect for the march en Compeigne and Paris by the shortest road.

ENEMY'S INTENTION DISCLOSED. Received 10.40 a.m. LONDON, June ±Z. French headquarters, continuing its report, says the enemy centre conTlnued at heavy cost to push its way yard, by yard down the Matz Valley, where an abundance of small woods and broken ground afford a maximum protection against machine gunnings and artillerying. Our troops further west pushed their progress on the'plateau into the valley below this position, wherein the enemy believed himself firmly established forty-eight hours ago. It was important for his advance on the centre, as it overlooks the Matz Valley and commands the junction of the main roads from Montdidier, Beauvrages, and Cuvilly, througn which enemy troops and supplies for' the front line in the river valley must pass, also the junction of Sonlis and Compeigne ro-ids, whereon he depencs for an advance southwards. The French thus overlooked the German centre. This must already greatly embarrass the enemy. The of the Oise developed a nesfel attack on both banks of the Aisne, starting from the line of Mouslins south to Touvent, Ambleny, Cutry, and Domniers, and fronting the Oise. Evidently the enemy intends to march on both banks of the Aisne, skirting Villers Cotterets Forest on the north to thrive the French not merely out of the wooded salient north of the old Franco-Ger-man front in 1916; also out camp, Carlepont, and Montagne Forests; also out of the much larger Aigle Forest, between the old front on the Aisne, and possibly out of the still larger Compeigne Forest immediately south. There is no indication at present of his being able to carry, out this programme. ,:•..; • '., COLONEL REPiNGTON*S VIEWS * WHAT THE ENEMY IS TRYING TO; DO. ■', ""/ Received 11.40 a.m. , . . ; # », LTJNTKJN, June is?Si Colonel Repington ndorff will not be satisfied until he' gains at least Mont Camelo'n, over-' looking Compeigne from J the north;., and compels the French in the angle between the rivers to" cross to the south bank of the Aisne. The fresh

German offensive from Soissons sector is obviously designed to aid the squeezing process by tbreatening the retreat of the French who are still northward of the Aisne. The enemy boasts he succeeded in engaging and scattering Foch's reserves, but it is too early to claim that our generalissinio has nothing under his hand. The inure troops the enemy shows the easier it becomes for the defenders so take-precautions.

Colonel Repington seems certain enemy has four strong armies under von Marwitz, von Bulow, von Quiast, and von Arnim between the sea and the Somme. These have had a long rest and must be ready to begin again. The counter-attacks give the necessary- answer to Von Stein that Foch's anrry'reserves no longer existed. The French withdrawal was inevitable, but implies the loss of vialuable positions. FRENCH PREMIER VERY CONFIDENT. STOEY OF AN EYE-WITNESS. Received 11.10 pjn. PAEIS, June 21.

Despite the withdrawal on the left bank of the Oisc, which was effected on Monday night, M. Clemenceau, in the Senate, was confident. He sajd the situation was exceedingly re-as-suring. The enemy had put enormous forces in the field and have suffered extraordinary losses. Deputy Gallitz' who witnessed Tuesday's smashing counter-attacks, was I intensely impressed with the method, organisation and orderliness of ithe •aporations. Although the movements for attack were kept secret until the previous evening, motor lorries were brought up, and the troops were in admirable spirits. He saw two picked divisions attack the advanced firing line with imperturbable calm, and resoluteness. The general addressed them as they passed, and the men responded with simple touching earnestness. The artillery preparation on an eight mile front was brief but terrific. Lines of batteries of every kind were shelling the enemy's positions and then tanks advanced. There was fierce infantry fighting in the land violent aerial battles, our aviators dominating situation, Two villages were ablaze an,d immense flames rose from the munition dumps which exploded. Our artillery and infantry continued: to advtance without a hitch or disorder, and their moral was marvellous. . FREPARING PARIS FOR THE WORST. Received Noon. PARIS, June 12. Some precautionary measures for the defence of Pari? are already taken, although everyone is confident the Germans will not reach the city. Deputies of the Seine Department are dealing with such matters as the eventual evacuation of the population, war industries, and works of art, and revictualling. Refugees are now reaching the city from' Compeighe, from which every civilian has evacuated.