WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 27 July 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

ENEMY POSITIONS UNTENABLE. LONDON, July 25. Eeuter's correspondent at French headquarters, writing at midnight on "Wednesday, says: "The enemy's position in the salient, south of the Aisne has become untenbale. He is fighting a retreating battle while he gets away his material. He has left the smallest possible amount of artillery on this front. Fere-cn-Tardenois is about the centre of the salient, and an advance of a few kilometres, such as we made > to-day, would enable us to sweep back with our heavy artillery the whole • remaining area to the east front on which the Germans are engaged by the French and British. Between Vrigny and the Marne the German defence is steadily relaxing. The enemy hold the Chateau Thierry-SoissonS road, and are linking up the front formed between Oulchy-le-Chateau, Fere-en-Tar-denois, and the Montagne-de-Eheims. On the eastern side of the triangle the British advance north of Ardre Eiver is most important, threatening the 1 Germans' left with envelopment, while hFrehch and Americans, advancing the Marne menace the German centr.e The British success at Vrigny threatens Fismes, another important centre. It is estimated that 400,000 Germans are fighting within the triangle whose sides the Allies are squeezing. Their numbers,. apart from their obstinate resistance in rugged country, constitute an obstacle to closing the pincers at the narrow RheimsSoissons opening, but the relentless Allied pressure is gradually emptying the triangle of the enemy, IN THE MARNE SALIENT, FOCH MAY ACHIEVE CONSIDERABLE VICTORY, GERMANS REINFORCED. Received 9.20 a.m. WASHINGTON, July 26. The Allies have captured Oulchy-le-Chateau and Villemonfoere. The Germans' position in the Marne salient is such that it is believed Foeh by a stroke at a vital point, can ensure a considerable Allied victory. A later report, published at 11.25 a.m., says a new German army has reinforced the right flank of the enemy THE MARNE BOTTLE NECK CLOSING. „

ALLIED GUNS MOVING UP. COMMANDING LAEGE AREA OF COUNTRY VERY BITTER FIGHTING Received 11,20 a,m WASHINGTON, July 26 The Franco-Americans are fighting In the woods north of Chateau Thierry The Allied guns have moved up, >and are now commanding the area beyond Fere en Tardenois, It is believed the moment when the Maine bottle neck will be closed around the enemy is approaching. The Franco-American fight with the dnemy at Epieds was especially bitter. The town wias captured three times. and finally only the ruins remained, which were full of German dead. FRENCH DRIVING HOME THE WEDGE. GERMANS HEAVY COUNTERATTACK. Received 11.5 a.m. LONDON, July 26. f JSf Germans topay heavily attackoTOie French but the attack was nltimaf * I; stopped near the village. Another heavy attack drove the French to Plessierhulen.

French attacks between the Ourcq and Marne continue. The French advanced a mile, capturing the southern part of the forest of Fere, while Fere-en-Tardenois is within eight thousand yards of the French lines and under our fire. There were only local operations east of Eheims. The weather is very bad. Thus far there is no indication that Prince Eupprecht is about to attack. FIGHTING IN THE NORTH. Received 11.45 a.m. : LONDON, July 26. Sir D. Haig reports: In the vicinity of Hebuterne yesterday evening and at Meteren this morning enemy attacks on our new positions were

beaten off. (It is at Hebuterne that the New Zealanders are at present located.) PRISONERS AND GUNS TAKEN. • Received 11.45 a.m. '*-: LONDON, July 26. The High Commissioner reports: French official reports yesterday state that after stubborn resistance we took Villiembntoire with 200 prisoners and 20 machine guns. Oulchy-le-Chateau is ours. Four guns were taken. South of the Ourcq we have taken hundreds of prisoners. BRITISH OFFICIAL REPORT. ... i Received 11.45 a.m. '. LNDON, July' 26. Sir Douglas Haig reports: The enemy attacked four posts south of Metteren, after heavy artillery trench mortar preparation, and were repulsed, suffering many casualties. The aviation report states: Towards the evening of the 24th July the sky cleared, permitting air fighting. Twen-ty-four tons of bombs were dropped ■ at night time on the railway at Valenciennesi the salient at Courtrai and Armentieres, and various billets. Two trains were hit. The aeroplanes fired thousands of machine-gun rounds at targets including active anti-aircraft guns, searchlights, and transport.

IMPORTANT POSITIONS CAPTURED GAINS AT ARMENTIERES.

ENEMY ATTACKS BEATEN OFF Eeceived 11.45 ia.m. LONDON," July 26. A Freush dommunique reports: — Fighting on the Ourcq front continued We occupied Ouchy-le-Ville, north of the river. The Franco-Americans on the south advanced three kilometres, despite the severest resistance, especially in the Dormans region. We captured Hill 144, south-east of Armentieres, and crossed the Mantcuiel stream further south. We captured the village of Coincy and the bulk of Tournelle Wood. We made progress at Waiely and the Forest Fere far as the general line of Beuvardes and Lecharmel. Our advance also continued favourably in the Ruz forest and north of Dormans. The enemy southwest of Rheims after violent attacks on our positions between Vrigny and St. Euphraise, gained a footing at Hill 230, which we soon recaptured. An American communique states: We continue to punish the enemy between the Ourcq and Miarne. We have taken the southern half of Fere Forest