ON THE WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 3 September 1918, Page 6

ON THE WESTERN FRONT.

CANADIANS THROUGH HINDENBURG line. LONDON, August 81. __ The Canadians made several surprise attacks yesterday. Between Bullecourt and Cherisy they easily broke the Hindenburg Line, advancing a mile further east than the March line. This advance brings the armies within a mile of the great switch line— Drocourt-Queant —which British correspondents agree is of immense stength, more heavily barricaded than the Hindenburg Line itself. It is not yet clear whether the Germans intend to make a prolonged stand here or are retiring to the switch in view of the first army bursting the Hindenburg Line south of the Scarpe. The momentous question is: Will the Germans stand firm at Drocourt,, or do they, for some reason of morale or politics, intend to prolong the retreat. Some critics discuss the possibility of retirement to the Meuse, as a short defensive line, releasing numerous divisions , or even retirement to a more distant line as a preliminary to a peace offensive. The whole of France and Britain have been profoundly stirred by events, and their temper is rising. No doubt, the Allied armies will follow and strike wherever the Germans stand. The German public is most depressed, but comments indicate that the bitter disappointment is confined to the failure to grab Paris and the Channel ports, Reuter’s correspondent at French headquarters, writing on Friday evening, states: The latest gains are highly important stategically. After the capture of Noyon and Chebilly, which overlooks the Neve Valley, the enemy tried to re-enter Noyon, but were repulsed. The French developed their success and reached the foot of Mount Simeon, forming the western -limit to the great ridge overlooking the Oise, and protecting the enemy’s right. After further fierce fighting, the French reached the summit of the mount, establishing themselves on the great natural rampart on which the enemy relies to guard his flank while withdrawing his front before the attacks by Debeney and Eawlinson’s armies. The two main lines of defence on which the Germans have been holding —namely, the unfinished canal near Chebilly and the, Oise heights—have been pierced. His only natural line of resistance between his present unsteady positions and the old Hindenb'urg Line, is the Noyon St. Queintin road from. Ham to Berlancourt. Along this front he is able to face Debeney’s army from the west, but his right will be open to attacks from the Oise Heights. A later message say.® the struggle continiAeg violently -on the whole front of Debeney’s, Humbert’s, and Mangin’s armies. The enemy’s resistance is particularly fierce on the French right, but diminishes towards the centre, and then re-incrcascs on the British front. The Germans are evidently desiring at all costs to protect the flanks of the retreating line. General Mangin gained a. firm footing on the plateau after the fiercest fighting. Mangin enlarged the bridgehead around Champs, on the right of the Ailette. Humbert is firmly maintaining his afternoon successes at Happlineourt and St. Simon.