WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 16 August 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

WITH THE AMERICANS. TAKING OVER PORTION OF FRONT. NEW YORK, August 14. The New York Times Washington correspondent states that the formation of an American field army in France is understood in military circles to mean that portion of the front will be completely under the control of the American army with American supply lines and railways from the base debarkation ports ► : ., r „ r: General P. C. Marsh, Chief of Staff, says that the Picardy: salient has nowbeen reduced by a maximum depth of 15 miles upon a 53-mile front. One United States regiment, has been engaged in the fighting around Chipilly. PRESSURE ON RHEIMS. RELIEF NOW GAINED. London, August 5. Since the Crown Prince began to retreat, his armies have fallen back 20 miles and lost 40,000 prisoners. Reuter’s corespondent at French headquarters telegraphed yesterday: The Germans must have felt the pinch before they voluntarily retired from positions north and south of the Somme which would have been a useful line of departure for a further advance on Amiens and Abbeville. The one involuntary and the two voluntary German retirements were all undertaken with the view of saving men. Our advance to the village of La Neuvilette, a mile north of Rheims, on the Rheims-Laon road, means that Rheims is completely disengaged on the east, and that the enemy has renounced hope at length of capturing it by an enveloping attack. ANOTHER RETIREMENT. LONDON, August 15. A further retirement north of the Somme takes the German line behind the Somme battle line of 1916. Mr. Murdoch, writing on the 12th, says; Though the retreat is temporarily checked, the enemy gives daily and nightly signs that he is facing the position with weakened morale. Neither the Australians nor the Canadians had it all their own way during the last two days, but substantial progress continues. BRITISH LINE ADVANCES. „ LONDON, August 14. Sir Douglas Haig reports local fighting in tho neighbourhood of Parvillers. We progressed, following tho enemy’s recent withdrawals in the Hcbutcrnc sector. The enemy evacuated forward positions at Beaumont Hamel, Serre, Puisicux, Aumont and Bucquey. Our patrols advancing, gained ground around these villages. Our continuous bombing, (Lay and night, of the Somme bridges, railway lines and rail junctions since the beginning of the offensive, has held up the enemy’s reinforcements, and also forced him to employ large formations of scouts in an effort to protect vital comunications, but our concentrations of machines have effectively dealt with all opposition. We dropped 21 bombs during the daytime, and 37 tons at nighttime above objectives. Anglo-Americans raided an aerodrome at a low height, destroyed six machines and fired the hangars. We brought down 21 machines and drove dow ton out of cotrol. Six British arc missing.

The Pall Mall Gazette states that General Humbert delivered a powerful attack on a comparatively short

front this morning. It is believed the operation was successful. It is reported that the town of Lassigny is already in French hands. Allied airmen are increasingly aggressive and have penetrated far to the rear. They report that reinforcements of men and guns arc coming up to the threatened points. The enemy is withdrawing heavy guns elsewhere. He has destroyed light weapons, ammunition, stores and other implements, wholesale, with the exception of food and clothing. There is terrific fighting on the top of Lassigny ridge. The French are pushing solidly down tho far side, meeting with . very fierce resistance everywhere. It may be : a couple of days before the enemy is cleared off. ■The situation between Roye and Chaulnes is stationary. , FRENCH MAKE PROGRESS. LONDON, August 15. • A French communique states that during the day we continued to progress between the iMatz and the Oise and capturedßibecourt, east of Bclval. Infantry learned that a coun-ter-attack was preparing, and they succeeded in p'risoneriy/g officers and a number of men. In the regions of Roye and Lansigny the liveliest artillery fighting has continued. A French communique issued at four in the afternoon states: Between the Avrc and the Oise, active mutual artillorying has been notable on the Eoye-sur-Matz, Conchy, and Les Pots sectors.. On the Vcsle front enemy raids' were resultless, 'The French raided ip the region of Mcsnil les Hurlus. VICTORS ON THE THIRD BATTLE OF SOMME. LONDON, August 14. Mr Lloyd George telegraphed to Sir Douglas Haig: Tho Imperial War Cabinet sent warmest congratulations on the great triumph achieved by the Allied arms in the third battle of the Somme, and the Empire ’s heartfelt thanks to you and your most gallant troops. SURRENDER OF ENEMY FORWARD POSITIONS. WHAT IT MAY FORESHADOW. m Received 9.15 a.m. LONDON, August 15. The Daily News says the enemy’s surrender of his forward positions west of Bapaume may foreshadow an extensive withdrawal, because the positions are immensely strong. It recalls the German withdrawal at these points in 1917 preceding the evacuation of Bapaume and Peronne, but there is one important difference, namely, in 1917 we held Albert. FRENCH PAST LASSIGNY MASSIF HUNS RETREATING. Received 9.15 a.m. NEW YORK, August 15. The French are advancing northeast of Lassigny massif, and the Germans are retreating. PARIS, August 15. It is believed in high military quarters that a further German retreat is impending. COUNTING THE SPOILS. 73,000 PRISONERS AND 1700 GUNS. Received 11.25 a.m. PARIS, August 15. The Allies have taken 73,000 prisoners and 1700 guns since the 18th July. The enemy’s casualties are estimated at 350,000.