THE WAR SITUATION.

Taihape Daily Times, 5 October 1918, Page 5

THE WAR SITUATION.

RECENT OPERATIONS REVIEWED Received 10.30 a.m. LONDON, Oct 4. Since the offensive commenced, on the 26th, Foch has inaugurated six separate attacks between the sea and the Meuse. Substantial progress has been made on all fronts. The Americans have broken the German line west of the Meuse on a front of fortythree miles to a depth of nine miles. The enemy's intention was to make a gradual withdrawal to the line of the Aisne, where he had constructed strong defences, which was an easterly extension of the Hindenburg system. The American-French advance surprised the enemy, who anticipated instead, a great American effort in the direction of Metz. The German plans of withdrawal therefore miscarried and he lost 23,000 prisoners and four hundred guns. In the Meuse sector the Allies are contending with great difficulties, owing to the thick woods, few roads, and hills" hampering movement and observation. In order to avoid the invasion of Austria and keep Turkey in the war it will be necessary, for the Centrals to establish a new line on the Danube front, where trie Centrals have an excellent railway. The only troops available are 33 German and 13 Austrian divisions in Russia. These are of inferior quality, and the diversion of troops means tEe abandonment of the gains of the Brest-Litovsk treaty. The German control of the Black Sea allows her to reinforce Constantinople very quickly, but it is very doubtful whether she can afford to send troops to Turkey. - • "~~ "

We have captured 60,000 prisoners and 325 guns in Palestine since the 19th. The Turks have ~considerable forces at 'Aleppo, but the serious dagger, now threatening. Goastdnti<Jc.p!f will probably compel the transfer of the greater part of the Turkish army for the defence of European territory. ''■*'•' ■, . PARIS, Oct 4. The Serbians, -have entered : Nish, Leskovatz, and Vrania. NEXT BLOW AT CONSTANTINOPLE. . Received 11.45 a.m. LONDON, Oct" 4. General Desperey, the Allied" Com-mander-in-Chief in the Balkans, announces that the next blow of .the Allies will be at Constantinople. • •■' •-.' •■: ALLIES' HUGE HAUL. ">■ LONDON; Oct 3;. ' ' During September the Allies in France and-Belgium have taken 2844 officers, 120,191 men, 1600 guns and over 10,000 machine guns. The Allies from July 15th to September 30th. have taken 5518 officers*, 248,494 men. 3669 guns, over 33,000 machine guns ■ and several hundred mine throwers..'