GERMANS' WORST DAY.

Taihape Daily Times, 27 July 1918, Page 5

GERMANS' WORST DAY.

MARNE ATTACK BROKEN,

EVE OF FO'CH'S NEW STROKE

LONDON, July IS

Mr. James Campbell, correspondent •of the "Times" at French headquarters, telegraphed last night:— V;Tuesday was the Allies' best day 'and Germany's worst in the whole 'series of offensives since March 2i. 'For the first time the enemy's batteries are in the same position as on the

eve of the offensive. During the March, April, May, and June offensives the enemy advanced too fast for

his artillery, the second day's fighting automatically becoming a battle of infantry and machine guns.

It is too early to assert that the offensive has definitely stopped, but the general attack'has been broken up and the enemy is no longer advancing in one line. Tuesday's fighting on the Manie was divided into three watertight compartments south of Dormans. The enemy advanced two miles towards Epernay, but were held up eight miles from their objective. Taking a line between their thre« operations the enemy's gains barely counter-balance ours. The enemy's local attacks in the Champagne sector at Prunay. Prosnes. and Tahure all ended in complete failure. The French army is in the happiest frame of mind. The casualties are wonderfully small. They fought with matchless bravery. A of "machine guns west of Rheims held up the advance for two hours, .killing many Germans till they were surrounded. Then they bayonetted their way through. A few men were left to cover the retreat, till their positions became~Trap"Bless. They kept sending back messages, "We are all right," "We can hold our own," "We don't want help," and so on till they sent no more. GENERAL GOURAUD'b VICTORY. The French are strongly posted en the heights overlooking the Maine which separates the German left and right wings. It is important to remember that the credit of the French victory must be assigned to General Gcuraud, east 01 Rheims, because the Germans failed everywhere in this sector. They are pretending in their communiques that the attack here was merely a diversion, but this is camouSage. It is increasingly clear that the enemy's strategic objective was the occupation of the whole right bank of the Marne from Chalons to Cnateau Thierry using the river as a shield for the uncovered flank in the final march to Paris. The attack failed mainly because General Gouraud was constantly posted regarding the enemy's intentions, and his sector was thoroughly prepared. THE MENACE TO RHEIMS. There was heavy fighting yesterday morning from Comblfzy to Vrigny, about 20 miles. The enemy pressed hard in n south-easterly direction. their left menacing Rheims from the west, and the right pushing eastward along the Marne valley in the direction of Epernay. The Germans endeavoured to push on towards the south in order to enlarge their holding on the south bank and obtain manoeuvring room for divisions marching up the river. The importance of the battle. as a whole lies in the proximity of the mountain of Rheims to the scene of the fighting in the Marne valley. A serious advance eastward of this direction would not only imperil Epernay, but the mountain itself, which would be exndsed to the danger of being turned from the south.