A COSTLY OFFENSIVE.

Taihape Daily Times, 26 June 1918, Page 3

A COSTLY OFFENSIVE.

ALLIES STILL PACE HAZAEDS. PRIMITIVE WAR METHODS. LNODON", June 14. Such advance as the Germans achieved yesterday has nowhere been • uniform, and was only effected at the heaviest cost. The latter, indeed, continues the vital factor of the strategic situation, together with the fact that the American weight is beginning to tell. Correspondents dwell on the difficulties of Ithe enemy in reinforcing his front line. He is filing up the gaps in his divisions with men partially recovered from wounds, with poor troops withdrawn from Russia, and with miners and workmen hurriedly mobilised. But the serious feature is the fact that the Bavarian Crown Prince sltill retains the bulk of his reserves intact, which he can use wherever he likes, either in Flanders or east of Rheims. There are thus still, incalculable hazards in the battle, in which the Germans are fighting against allies who are suffering from lack of manoeuvring room. The French experts, who loudly praise Foch's handling of troops, point out that he, though to a much lesser degree, is now enjoying the advantage previously possessed by the Germans —the ability to quickly move his trotops to difft<,ren!t: points, as the French in the present batle occupy the interior of the semi-circle. THE DECISIVE COUNTERATTACK.

The decisive episode was itlic counterattack on the left wing, which frustrated the enemy's effort to gain a front line near enough to bombard Paris with ordinary guns. The intention on Tuesday was to straighten out tho line on the right wing between Bessons-sur-Matz and the Montdidicr Senlis railway. When the news of the successflu French counter-attack reached the German grand headquarters the same evening the enemy opened the diversion on the sector between irheAisno and Villers Cotterets Forest. Mr James Campbell says that on Thursday the enemy advance was slower and at greater cost. Except for the infernal gases which 'the enemy fiias added to the barbarities of war, . the., fighting now resembles bygone battles, man against man in the open.

A,ttackers and counter-attackers hardly have any trenches, and are compelled Ifco use the natural cover of trees, and houses and ground, creeping,. unseen in the bushes and trying to spring on the enemy unawares. The Germans frequently drape their helmets in grass and leaves. There is a grea't proportion of hand-to-hand fighting and probably will be so till the l,end. The French are making as fine a struggle as in any war. Along the 50 vmiles of front, of which Compeigne . ; is the centre, they are holding up the enemy and gaining priceless time with their cheerful and confident courage, nihieh is at its very best. The Compicgnc advance was checked like the Amiens thrust. Even if Paris io bombarded it will not . effect the army's 'ircsclu'tion. The French mean to con•tinue till the war is won.

t< "TELL PARIS NOT TO WORRY." I , The enemy used five divisions on a l-fivfc'-milc front in his latest effort* x'. "tydliiers Cottercts Forest, gaining two small hamlets on the extreme edge. A much heavier attack here is expected. Enemy counsels apparently are divided between the desire to drive the British in'to the sea or to throw Paris into a panic. There is no fear of their succeeding in either enterprise. The Times correspondent at Paris :- ; r : ates that M. Galli, a member of tho Chamber of Deputies, who witnessed Tuesday's counter-attack, when 1000 prisoners were taken, and more killed, » '-i;- ; *3: '-'The attack was a secret till the , Last moment, then crack stOrmtroops rushed up in motor-lorries and attacked with magnificent sang-froid, after a biref preliminary bombardment on a 7-}-miles front. Wo saw them rapidly climbing a .hotly bombarded crest, fgihting gloriously, driving back Bodies in successive fields. Throughout the day there was not a single interruption of the steady movement along the front. Parisian troops shouted as they marched past 'Tell Paris not to worry any more than we do.'"