WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 7 October 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

- ST. QUENTIN ADVANCE AHEAD OF SCHEDULE. LONDON October 4. Mr Percival Phillips writes: The British and Australians attacked at six this morning on a bow-shaped front north of St. Quentin,. and in the first three hours carried nearly all 'he ground aimed at fir ahead of time. It is even more rncouragluj? to learn that the German divisions mec and overridden showed exhaustion, while their composition betrayed the fact that the High Commiud is in dire straits for men. Scrap pings from field depots, cooks and orderlies are among the captures already caged. The battle was resamel in fine clear weather with a strong supporting baTiage sweeping the enemy positions from Le Caielet to Siquedart. The barrage advanced with precision, for which the German guai- s expressed admiration. ...' The Australians ab.vsnieci towards Beaurevoir. The chi if obstacle was a ijurious drainage diteii, the Torrens running 3a*it and west between Goiiy and. Beaurevoir. It wa3 rot Really formidable for the AisVaAians crossed it without delay, and soon were fighting in the emergency Boai> revoir trenches, dug by the Hun eighteen months ago. . ; A number of tanks undoubtedly facilitated the occupation of the village. and redoubts at Wianeourt. ; . ■;. GERMAN RINEFORCEMEN-JS SENT TO BELGIUM. LONDON October 4. The Germans sent five new divisions to Belgium to endeavour to hold up General Plumer's advance on Courtrai. GERMAN RETREATS. MORE EVACUATIONS LIKELY. LONDON October 4. The United Press Association correspondent states that the Germans are evacuating material depots near Cambrai. Airmen report preparations to evacuate Le Cateau. The evacuation of dugouts in the sand dunes of Belgium foreshadows the abandonment of , the coast. * ; . EVE OF AMAZING POSSIBILITIES CHANCE OF BRINGING WAR TO A DECISIVE ISSUE. LONDON, October 4. Mr Philip Gibbs states: By our attack this morning across St. Quentin, at the Scheldt Canal and southward of Cambrai, we took many prisoners and broke into country about Le Catelet. "With luck we may force the enemy to retreat to Le Cateau, and by cutting Ms line of communications may compel his abandonment of Cambrai. Owing to constant pressure northward and southward of battlefront he is already in wide retreat in the La Bassee salient. We must not indulge in rosy optimistic dreams but I may say yre are on the eve of amazing possibilities. Possibly there is a supreme chance of bringing the war to a decisive issue. The achievement of the Forty-sixth Division on Sunday in flinging themselves across the canal at Bellenglise, where they captured 4200 prisoners a great number of guns, -and over a thoujfand machine guns will rank in history as one of. the most heroic episodes in the war. They were trnromantic fellows — bootmakers, i&cemakers' iand >otkjps —but the spirit of England's >ldT*eroic soul was in them. One of heir brigadiers, who wears the Vicoria Cross, borrowed all the lifebelts rom a leave boat put oii one himself

and led his men across the Somme, wading and swimming the river. He taught them to keep their rifles dry and their heads above water. With these lifebelts, scaling ladders and hand bridges the Midlanders advanced in a thick fog on Sunday, crossed the canal, lined up on the other side and went ahead. Large numbers of Germans, hidden in tunnels hoped to blow up the British with mines and fight again when the first waves passed by. At ten o’clock in the morning the key of the Hindenburg line above St. Quentin had been seized. The German withdrawal from La Bassee was preceded by a heavy bombardment as a final salute then the troops stole away, leaving only a few machine-gun crews here and there. Wc followed up as' soon as the withdrawal was noticed. - • SURPRISING ADVANCES BY.. BRITISH DIVISIONS. ; V LONDON, Oct 5. Sir Douglas Haig, in a supplementary report, states: In operations by the Second British Army in Flanders on September 29; and subsequent days, the 9th, 29th and 35th Divisions rendered distinguished service in most unfavourable weather. They advanced to a depth of over nine miles across difficult country, clearing the whole range east and south-east of Ypres, taking a prominent part in the capture, by British troops, of over 4000 prisoners and a hundred grins. The 9th Division, on the first day of the attack, took Decelaere, five miles eastward of its starting point, and three days later reached Lcdeghem. On the first day the 29th Division passed beyond Gheluvelt and captured Kruiseecke, having advanced five miles along the Menin road. On its right, the 35th Division also passed far beyond our old positions in 1917, and took Zandvoorde. CAPTURE OF THE FLANDERS RIDGE. LONDON, Oct 5. A Belgian communique reports: The Franco-Belgians to-day slightly progressed towards Bomboogledge and Roulers. The Anglo-Belgian French attack on September 28tb, conquered the whole Flanders ridge in 48 hours. Local actions have since aimed at freeing the approaches to the ridge, and resulted in an advance of fourteen kilometres on a front of forty, completely freeing Ypres, which permitted the occupation of the Lys river between Armenliers and Verdicq. Ten thousand five hundred prisoners, including two hundred officers, were counted, also 350 guns, 200 trench mortars, and 600 machine guns. Brit* ish airmen powerfully contributed to the victory, AMERICAN PROGRESS. NEW YORK, Oct 4. Mr. James states: American troops are astride the Kriemhilde-Stelling line, after a day of terrific fighting. General Marqh, ; in <an interview, says; The news from the front is excellent. Offensives are being conducted in three major fronts. The German resistance on the left has stiffened. keeping us" in check, but the delay cannot last long, because the enemy is in desperate straits for reserves, and there are no lines ahead of us which our men cannot break.” AERIAL ACTIVITY. LONDON, Oct 5. At 10.30 p.m., the Press Bureau stated: The Independent Force, on the night of tho 3rd bombed railways at Metz-Sablon and aerodrome at Morhang and Fretscay. Observation was difficult, but a fire and explosion were observed frequently. All returned. Intense sir activity was maintained on all possible occasions. Our counter

attack patrols successfully forestalled. I the enemy’s intentions by warning our headquarters. Our advancing infantry wer u screened by smoke curtains, caused by smoke bombs dropped from the air, while the forward machineguns were supplied with ammunition dropped by the airmen. We destroyed 27 hostile machines, and drove down five uncontrollable. Twelve British are missing. W« dropped 26 tons by day and 30 by night, doing considcrabl damage to junctions and communications. ' THE SITUATION SUMMED UP. LONDON, Oct 5. Our line on the Lys is roughly along the railway from Armentieres’ to Marquillies, then to Hautedulle canal. The enemy is certain to make a stand on the canal to cover Lille Rouhaix and Turcoing, in order to give time for the necessary destruction of material. Cir breach in St. Quentin area is being gradually widened northward, but the enemy is fighting very hard, and our progress is slow. We, however, are gaining ground daily, capturing farms and other points of local advantage. This sort of fighting costs the enemy heavily, which he can afford less than we. South of the Aisne the enemy’s retirement seems to be ended. He is standing on the line of the Aisne and the Aisne-Marne canal. ANOTHER RETREAT COMING. - GERMAN PRESS PREPARING PUBLIC. AMSTERDAM, October 5. German newspapers are preparing the public for a coming retreat. The “Krez Zeitung” says. We must prepare to defend ourselves on the lino of Antwenp^Metz-Adriatic. This defence will last a long time, but we need all our strength. EVACUATION OF 40 ALSATIAN VILLAGES. BERNE, October 5. Thc Germans have evacuated the civilians from forty villages in Alsace and ordered the inhabitants of Mulhouse, .Colmar. Haltkir/ich and other towns to prepare to leave immediately. GERMANS TO LEAVE BELGIUM. ': o AMSTERDAM. October 5 Dutch newspapers are receiving confirmation of reports that the Germans are bridging the Mouse. It is reported that there is much demoralisation behind the German lines in Belgium. Largo numbers have deserted and crossed the frontier in the last few days. It was an open secret in Berlin on Wednesday that the Crown Council had approved an early and considerable shortening of the line whereby Flanders and part of the Hainan! and Namur districts will be abandoned. It is stated that the German evacuation of Alsace has begun. The inhabitants of twenty villages have been sent to Bavaria. Some have escaped to Switzerland. WEST OF THE MEUSE. LONDON October 5. An American communique states: This morning we resumed the attack westward of the Meuse. We overcame stubborn resistance and advanced our lines from two to five kilometres and carried Hill 240 northward from . Erm'on. We took the villages of Gesncs. Sleville. Chehery and La Earge despite heavy artillery and machinegun fire. Wo forced the enemy back to the Krimhilde positions southward of the Bois de Foret. A GERMAN THREAT. TO DEVASTATE OCCUPIED TERRITORY. SOLEMN WARNING BY FRENCH. Received 8.50 a.m. PARIS, (fbt. 5. An official, referring to the enemy’s threat to utterly devastate the occupied territory, if forced to leave it, the French Government solemnly warns the Germans that it will hold them responsible morally, judicially, and financially, and adds that it is now communicating with the Allies on the subject The French Government further warns Austria that if she carries out her threat to put to death airmen droping leaflets the same penalties will be applied to double the number of Austrian officers. GERMANS MAY ABANDON Flanders coast. GUNS BEING REMOVED. Received 8.50 a.m, , LONDON, Oct 5. It is learned from authoritative naval sources that there are Indications the Germans will soon abandon the whole Flanders coast. it is known that the Germans are already moving guns. There have been three heavy bombardments of the Flanders coast during the past few days.

IN CHAMPAGNE; j . DESPERATE FIGHTING REPORTED LONDON, Oct 5. The Pranco-Americans, in Champagne. gained an important advantage They completed yesterday’s successes. On the left we pushed over four kilometres north of Auherive and eight kilometres north-west of Sommepy to the river Arne. We captured the villages of Yaudesincourt, Dontrien, St Souplet and Grand Bellois Woods, despite resistance. Further east, we reached the outskirts of St. Etienne Aarnes, and gained a footing on the Plateau of Orfeuil, capturing Orfeuil village. We evacuated Challerange which neithed side holds. It is being intensely shelled by both artilleries. Favourable weather facilitated aviation on Thursday. Nineteen balloons were set on fire. Scouts pushed far into the enemy lines. Fifty-one tons of bombs were dropped on enemy reserves massed with a view to a counter attack on one sector. Aeroplanes again fed advanced troops. Five tons of food and cartridges were thus supplied. Twentynine tons of projectiles were dropped at night on enemy bivouacs and cantonments on a wide front, FRANCO-AMERICANS PUSHING ON NEW YORK, Oct 5. „ The Franco-Americans attacked between the Meuse and the Argonne. Many villages have been taken. General Pershing’s communique reports that the Americans advanced two to five kilometres west of the Meuse, and captured Gesnos, Sleville, Chehery and Laforge. A United Press message states that the Franco-Americans are less than fipA miles, jßrom 'Vouzfiores (on the Aisne, about seven miles north of Challerange). A London message states that it is authoritatively stated that the Americans have captured Cunel. WASHINGTON, Oct 5. The Franco-American attacks in the Champagne forced the Germans to retreat on the left flank towards the River Arnes. The French have reached the heights south-east. of Mornevillers, north-west of Rheims. In five days the French have capturei 2500 prisoners and 31 guns. MOST IMPORTANT ADVANCE. LONDON, Oct 5. Reuter’s correspondent at French headquarters, writing at 10 p.m. on Friday, states: The advance of General Gouraud’s left wing yesterday was most important. It i occupies a line outflanking the Moronyillers heights, which form the main bastion of the German front in the Champagne. The enemy’s second line of resistance was breached at Orefeuil. His whole front between Rheims and the Suippe is endangered. HINDENBUEG BACKBONE LONDON October 5. Mr Gilmour describing the Australians’ attack on the Beaurevoir lino, says: There is a likelihood of the pressure of tho Australian o.nd other troops in this sector effecting a complete break. Already tho backbone of the Hindenburg system has been broken along a considerable front. BRAVO. AUSTRALIANS! LONDON. October 5. General Monash, in an order of the day conveys his sincere thanks for fine work of the Australians; hampered by want of the free use of artillery in completely overwhelming stubborn defence in the most strongly-fortified sector of the West front. Mr Gilmour describes the gallant work of the divisions in pushing forward after crossing the sunken canal lino, on top of which thp German dead lie thick. They have now gone nearly throe miles behind the Hindenburg Line. The Australians are making all manner of wagers as to when the Germans will bo driven out of France. Mr Murdoch, describing the Beaurevoir fighting says; Tho German defences were shattered. The next line will doubtless bo wherever the Germans find they can stick it. The correspondent adds: Our movement threatens the Germans in the Cambrai sector 'where the New Zealanders continue doing famously. FRENCH MAKES PROGRESS. LONDON October 5. At 2 a.m. a French communique stated: North of St. Quentin we 'actively participated in a hard battle in the Hindenburg position. We captured Ohardouvert south of Sequehart and several fortified woods. Further south wc gained a footing in iLesding and. captured Morcourt. The enemy furiously and repeatedly counter-attacked All his efforts were shattered with heavy loss. We captured prisoners and four heavy guns. '

AN ALL NIGHT STRUGGLE. LONDON October 5. Philip Gibbs writes: The enemy is fighting hard for the Beaurevoir line which tho Australians have broken south and south-west of St. Illagc and are working forward with the aid of tanks which bad ground and water are hadicapping. Enemy pill-box fortresses eastward of Estrees from which came slashing machinegun fire checked the Australians for six hours until. by dogged efforts, they overpowered the enemy. Before the Australians gained tho concrete shelters, the ’ enemy shelled them with gas shells but the Australians wearing gas masks, did not retire on that account but managed to get eastward of Waincourt and westward of fifeaurevdir and ground all night long, while a counter blow forced the English to withdraw from Mont Brehain. The enemy occupied higher ground than the AngloAustralians and were able to get an enfilade fire first from one position and then another making Mont Brehain untenable. GERMANS CLAIM SUCCESS LONDON. October 5. Wireless German official: The enemy captured Le Catalet and advanced as far as Beaurevoir and Mont Bressian, Ho penetrated Sequhart. We drove the enemy on both sides of (Lc Catalet beyond his starting positions recapturing Beaurevoir and Mont Bressain. Sequhart remains in the enemy's hand. Small French nests remain in the Wiesenbarg - Medcah heights near Sommepy. We recaptured Chalerangc. LENS TO ARMENTIERES. LONDON October 5. Sir Douglas Haig reports: There was local fighting In which we progressed Un 'the rieighbourhood of Beaurevoir, northward of Gouy. southward of , Cambrai. The enemy's withdrawal continues in the Lcns-Armentiercs sectors. Our advanced troops have reached Wavrin and Erquinghem. (The former is about five miles from Lille and the latter/ less than four miles.) PARIS, October 5. The Mayor of Lens states that the Germans flooded all the mines and it will take years to fully establish the industry. Restoration begins--shortly The Government has advanced two million francs for the purpose. BRITISH CAPTURE TWO TOWNS. 1000 PRISONERS TAKEN. LONDON, Oct 6. The High Commissioner reports: Sir Douglas Haig reports: Mont Brehain and Beaurevoir, after the severest fighting fell into British posses sion. We have also captured Aubetcheul and Aux Bois, together with one thousand prisoners.