WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 9 July 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

251,000 AMERICANS IN FIRING LINE. Received 8.50 a.m. WASHINGTON, July 8. General March, states there were 251,000 United States troops in the firing line on July Ist. OFFICIAL REPORTS FROM. VARIOUS SECTORS. Received 8.50 a.m. LONDON, July 8. Sir Douglas Haig reports: The Australians advanced their line slightly on a front of three, thousand yards astride the Somme, capturing prisoners. Scottish ’ troops successfully raided southwards of La Bassee Canal. Austrians entered the trenches eastward of Hazehrouck. Hostile artillery is active astride the 'Somme, following our operations; also westward of Beaumont Hamel, in the neighbourhood of Bethune. y L THREE GERMAN DIVISIONS W SHATTERED. LONDON, July 7. Mr. Philip Gibbs writes: The Australian push on Saturday amounted to 400 yards on a mile front. * v Three German divisions wefce so cut up on Thursday that they are utterly incapable of a counter-attack. They must be relieved and refitted. Mr Robinson sates: The advance on Br.etonneux gives the Australians command of an important valley position three miles in length. ON THE BRITISH FRONT. » LONDON, July 7. Sir Douglas Haig reports: We repulsed attempted hostile raids on the morning of the 7th near Locre. There has ’Been hostile artillery fire and trench mortar activity in the Bethune sector. Three German aeroplanes were deand one driven down uncontrollable. One British machine is missing. Seventeen tons of bombs were dropped On various targets during the last twenty-four hours.

ON THE FRENCH FRONT. LONDON, July 7. A French, communique states: There is artillery fire south, of the Aisne in the regions of Longpont and Coroy. American troops executed a coup de main in Yosges and brought back prisoners, ENEMY STILL POWERFUL. LONDON, July 7. Mr Gibbs states: The success of the Australians must not blind us to the truth about the general situation. The enemy is still holding a powerful army against the British. Ail preparations are complete for a violent offensive on a big scale. Good fortune has enabled ns to strengthen our defences and build up our bayonet strength so that the peril is less than two months ago, but the menace is still there, whatever the meaning of the delay.

WHY IS THE ENEMY DELAYING? Received 10.15 a.m. LONDON, July 8. Mr. Philip Gibbs writes that the enemy recently sent only odd shells into Amiens, hut every few hundred yards ga-jed by the Australians, English, anuwLmericans insures greater safety me old city. It is to the enemy's that his gunners have hitherto aoli made a target 151 Amiens Cathedral. A few shells" have pierced it, lm£ no irreparable damage has been

done. We now know that many German companies are reduced to low strength owing to influenza, which is rife in the German ranks; typhoid also is reported. It would be rash to assume the delay in the offensive is primarily due to sickness, there must be ether more potent reasons, but it is believed the widespread outbreak Is really affecting the enemy’s striking power, and may hinder his plans for immediate operations.

OFFENSIVE EXPECTED THIS WEEK.

SURPRISE IMPOSSIBLE,

Received 10.50 a.m,

PARIS, July 8

Colonel Rousset, writing in the newspaper “Liberte,” pays iLudendorff will probably attack before the end of the week. Our situation Is somewhat changed. Strong -reserve® will be echelonned. so surprise is practically impossible.