WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 3 August 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

AMERICA’S LOSSES IN MARNE BATTLER ETSIMATED AT 25 ; 000. WASHINGTON, Aug. 1. A forecast of American casualties in the recent fighting indicates that they were extremely heavy. Two hundred thousand were engaged in the Marne battle, of which the losses exceeded 12 per cent, the total of killed and wounded thus reaching 25,000. INCREASING THE DRAFT WASHINGTON, Aug. 1. The War Department is enlarging the incidence of the selective draft system and it is expected that the draft age will be greatly increased.

ANOTHER MARNE OFFENSIVE

FRENCH AND BRITISH GAIN GROUND, . ■ LONDON, August 2. A Ffench communique states: North 4sthe Ourcq, French and British units drove back the enemy from positions between Plessier-Hullen and the river. We carried a height north of Grand Rozoy and advanced beyond the village of Beregncux. We reached Cramoisello and Cramaille, realising here an advance of three kilometres. Southwards, we took possession of Cierges and Me|uniere Wood, North of thjG Dormans-Eheims road, after desperate | fighting, we conquered the village or j Eomingny. A VALUABLE OPERATION. GERMANS IN AN AWKWARD . POSITION. LONDON, August 2. Reuter’s correspondent at . the French Headquarters, writing on the evening of the Ist. states: General Mangin’s army attacked during the morning between Plessier-Hullen and Fero-en-Tardenois, the troops progressing favourably. They occupied Hill 205. The operation is highly interesting because it gives us a view of the enemy’s rear to Pismes, and puts the enemy in the Hartenncs-Oicy salient in a very awkward pdsition. THE ALLIES’ HAUL. 33,400 DURING RECENT y OFFENSIVE. LONDON, August 2. Since July 15th, on the Marne and Champaigne front, we have prisonered 33,400, including 674 officers. An American communique states: There were vigorous local actions on the Ourcq, arising out of our attacks, and enemy counter-attacks at several points. We captured the village of Cierges and advanced beyopjl. Otherwise: the,. situation in vicinity is unchanged. ,i* THE GERMAN RETREAT. A SKILFUL MOVEMENT. LONDON, August 2. The enemy has skilfully conducted fils retreat, and has not lost many guns, but we have collected a large t of material, especially bridging, which proves the enemy’s intention to throw large forces across the river Marne towards Paris. It is impossible to say definitely what the Germans’ future intentions are. They seem to be"determined to hold the present lines, but their positions is unfavourable with the ’ Aisnc in their the bridges over which are being bombarded by Allied airmen, leaving commuh'ications precarious. "The enemy has only four traffic circuits

which are hardly sufficient to supply , the troops in the salient, as he is burning villages south-east of Soissons, which may be an indication of further withdrawal. It is improbable that the enemy will retire beyond the Aisue, but the longer he continues where he is, the better for the Allies, as any position southward ‘ of the Aisue is' disadvantageous to j the enemy. Every passing day reduces ■ the possibility of a successful offen- ■ sive on Prince Rupprecht’s part. For the first lime since March, the Allies’ reserves greatly exceed fresh German resserves. The enemy has 20.1 divisions on the West front, while one division is known, to have recently gone to the Eastern front. The Germans may be forced •to transfer further troops from the. west. The enemy has not entirely lost the initiative,. Even if he is unable to resume the offensive he will be able to transfer troops, and may take the offensive in~ either the B’alkans Or in Italy before the winter, although there are no present indications of such a move. o IMPORTANT ALLIED CAPTURE. VILLE EN TARDENOIS SURROUNDED Received 9.5 a.m. LONDON. August 2. The Allies have surrounded Ville en Tardenois. The entire watershed and the ridge between the Ourcq and the Aisne have been captured. GERMANS BLAZING RETREAT. HARTENNES CAPTURED. Received 11.20 a.m. NEW YORK, August 2 The Germans are burning villages as > they retreat. The Allies have captured Hartenncs, about seven miles southeast of Soissons. UNRESISTED AMERICAN ADVANCE. Received 10.40 a.m. WASHINGTON, Aug. 2. The Americans advanced almost unresisted against the side of the Marne salient. A partial withdrawal is apparent. ALLIES’ COMMANDING POSITION. AN IMPORTANT TURNING POINT, Received 10.40 a.m. LONDON, August 2. The Anglo-French forces have captured the watershed between the Ourcq and the Aisne. On a five mile front they have advanced three miles, and now command the country as far as the Crise Valley. This will probably deprive fhe enemy of facility for retirement. It is now difficult for the enemy to avoid a retirement to the River Vesle. Some circles consider this the turning point of the summer campaign, possibly in tbe whole war.