General German Retirement Pending.

Taihape Daily Times, 19 July 1918, Page 5

General German Retirement Pending.

Extraordinary—Press Association. Received 10.10 a.m. LONDON, this day. It is believed a general German retirement from the Marne is Impending, ACCOUNT OF THE FIGHTING ALL POSITIONS INTACT. Received 10.40 a.m. LONDON, July 17. French communique: The battle continued with unbroken determination on the whole front west of Rheims, but notwithstanding his efforts the enemy did not succeed in

increasing Ms advance. Our troops' heroic resistance and incessant counter attacks stopped the enemy’s thrust, after all the fluctuations of the advance and retirement of the day. Actions are progressing south of the Marne on the wooded slopes northward of St. Agnan and Monthodon. and Chappie. The sharpest fighting took place north of Cambliqy and Festingy, and resulted in holding the enemy to the southern outskirts of Banquegny and Chataigniells Woods. The enemy succeeded, east of Civilly in regaining a footing in Mont Voison, between ths. Marne and Ehcims. The 3 battle continues to the north of EenrPin Kingwood, which the Germans penetrated. We are defending foot by foot. In 1 the Forest of Courton there are furious combats. The enemy continues to be held westwards of Anteil. The Germans did not succeed in reaching Pourey ditch, which has been the objective of several renewed . powerful attacks/ Brilliant Italian counter attacks and other counter attacks westward of Anteul drove the enemy back. The enemy corpses lying, ,in the front of the lines in the valley of Arbe do Ombreux testify to the . heavy enemy losses. The situation is unchanged in Vigrong jssejor and isosith-wefet of Ehcims a'nd east of Eheims. We broke an attack between Beaumont-sur-'Vesle and Sillery. Our positions are intact along the whole Champagne front. ALLIED ARTILLERY REACH GERMAN COMMUNICATIONS. SURPRISE TO THE ENEMY. Received 9.20 a.m. LONDON, July 18. French artillery reached thq German railway communications, affecting the area west of Rheims. The offensive was a complete surprise' to the enemy. The Allied guns dominate Soissons.