ALLIES RAPID ADVANCE.

Taihape Daily Times, 7 November 1918, Page 5

ALLIES RAPID ADVANCE.

■BAVAY AND, GHENT BESIEGED,.

NEW YORK, Nov 5

The Allies have captured B'avay, a large , town 13 miles east of Valenciennes and 8 miles' west of the frontier fortress of Mauheiige, and they are still advancing rapidly. Further to the northward they have begun the siege of Ghent.

, The United Press Association correspondent states that the Americans after driving north along the west bank of the Meuse have crossed to the right bank. ,

. Eatest reports indicate that the Germans are retreating on the whole front from.the Scheldt to the Aisne on.,a total line of over fifty miles. TERRIFIC STRUGGLE. ' ALLIES TRYING FOR A KNOCKOUT. FOCH’S MASTERLY STRATEG^.

LONDON, Nov 5,

Reuter’s correspondent at British headquarters says: The series of battles raging on the West front promise to be the most stupendous conflict of the war. It is a mistake to suppose that the Allies are only engaged with rearguards of an enemy retreating according to plan. Really the Germans are being forced to fight their hardest by attacks which threaten to achieve the strategic collapse 'of the enemy, and the successes gained have been against concentrations of troops striving most determinedly to hold vital points. Foeh, adhering to his right angle front, is steadily reducing the enemy’s area of manoeuvre squeezing him against the Ardennes’Hills from the west &n.d south, robbing him of mobility in a fashion which is likely to prove disastrous before long. As his strategic position becomes more hopeless, his strength is being deeply sapped, Already his exit via Metz is fast closing as the result of America’e approach to Stenay, threatening the communications between the eGrman northern armies based on Liege and the southern armies based on Luxemburg, which will be divided by the Ardennes wedge, forcing the whole line from the Sambre northwards to retreat to the Antwerp-Namur positions. If the enemy attempts to divert his eastern forces to the Meuse line these will be increasingly congested by the British advance south of Valenciennes. Sir Douglas Haig’s forces yesterday broke one of the enemy’s strongest strategic positions, approaching important communications whose vital point is the Mons Junction. Never throughout the war have the Allied armies proved of higher quality, for they resisted the temptation to take things easily againkt an enemy who is only too anxious to surrender territory, but they are fighting most vigorously. They believe in the

knock-out blow. It has become a habit of speech to say the enemy is still unbroken and unbeaten, but if things continue much longer at the present rate, we shall suddenly awake to the realisation that this statement has ceased to be true. .THE CAPTURE OF LE QUESNOY. NEW ZEALANDERS’ GOOD WORK. LONDON, November 5. Describing the taking of Le Quesnoy by the New the correspondent says: The town crowns a knoll one hundred metres high, It is a fortress of the Vauben type, with imxaienseljy strong (ramparts (’surrounded by deep moats. Such was the obstacle that confronted the gallant infantry as they converged upon the place,, and

it was evident a tough job lay before them. Airmen reported that the town was "well garrisoned.' As a storming attack seemed out of the question, tho New Zealanders , deployed by way of the town, closing ,in .at Potelle, and thus surrounding. the fortress. Airmen joined in’ the attack ' wheeling over "the‘town and machine-gunning tho defenders incessantly. Under cover, of smoke screens; New Zealanders crept to the gateway, which the Germans were keeping open as a line of retreat. Then followed a spell of . confused desperate- fighting, and an,-.entrance was secured and the town .captured. The skill and valour with which the stronghold was carried are beyond praise. ' , , The New Zealanders’ capture of Le Quesnoy was the most dramatic .feature of Monday’s’ battle. ■ They broke in gun positions eastward of the fortress and captured 100 guns, many limbers in readiness to .retreat. The New Zealanders penetrated waggon ■lines : and rounded up: transport. The garrison refused three aeroplane invitations to surrender. The New Zealanders by the evening had forced the ramparts and wiped out machine-gun nests. The remainder of the garrison laid down their arms.

Sir Douglas Hasg report's: In a great battle opened yesterday between the Sambre and the Scheldt, our Third Army and the First Army heavily defeated with severe losses in wounded, prisoners, guns and material, no fewer than twenty-five Gorman divisions, thus breaking the German defence on a thirty-mile, front. Owing to this brilliant [success the enemy to-day is retreating along the whole battle-front. Despite rain, wo are pressed eastward.

The enemy is retreating on a 70mile front between the Scheldt and the Aisne.

FRENCH SMASHING THE ENEMY LONDON, November 5. A French communique states: Oui* repeated successes compelled the enemy to carry out a fresh retreat at several points of the front. With unwearying tardour wo have maintained close contact. North-cast of Guiso we occupied Berguc-Sur-Sam-bre? where two hundred civilians were freed.

Along the whole front of the First Army, attacks were resumed this morning. Wo made progress between Pevon (where wc captured Pargny Wood) and north of Soissons. We reached ia line passing Froidemont sugar factory, west of Autrencourt Curieuy, Goudelancourt, and Nachecourt. Our advanced guards, supported by are progressing between Sissons and Chateau Porcien. We penetrated all parts of the Hunding positions, where the enemy was still lidding out, forcing him to withdraw. Our advance is general between east • of St. Quentin, Lo Petit and the outskirts of Larpy.

galloped into action, unllmbered, swung round, picked up the ranges, often under shell-fire and upon , gassed ground, in gloriously fine style.

ALLIES DRIVING ON.

LONDON, Nov 5

The Germans are retreating on the whole front between the Scheldt and the 'Aisne. The situation is changing hourly. It is impossible, to give any definite idea of our advance. Roughly, we crossed the Franco-Belgian frontier between Valenciennes and Bavay. We are between a mile and two miles westward of the latter. We have captured the whole of the Mormal Forest with the exception of the eastern edge. Thence our line runs from Marcoiles along the western edge of Nouvron Forest to two miles eastward of Guise through Sains. It continues two miles southward of the Marie line to two miles southward of the Serre river, then a straight line to Chateau Parcien. The weathet temporarily slackened our pursuit and we lost touch with the enemy’s main body, which made off eastward. THE GREAT RETREAT BEGINS. LONDON, Nov 5. The French astride the Lechesne crossed the Ardennes Canal and advanced a mile northwards. The Americans co-operating, hold the whole road from Stenay to Lechesne. They occupied Beaumont and reached Bnon, in the loop of the Meuse. They formed a bridgehead southward of Dun, but apparently have not yet occupied Dun. We here again lost touch with the main German forces. Although less than six miles from the main lateral line of communication, it appears that the large scale retreat foreshadowed for some time past has really begun.

GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT.

LONDON, Nov, 5.

Wireless German official We evacuated Le Quesnoy northward of Mormal Forest. We stemmed a thrust eastward of Jolimetze and southward of the Forest. We also stemmed a thrust on the Sambre-Oise Canal.

We withdrew ,to the east bank of the Meuse northward of Stenay about 30 miles north-west 6f Verdun.)

GERMAN RETREAT AGCELERAT- ;■ ,■’ ' • T ING. i .Jm -A Received Noon. NEW YORK, Nov 6. The German retreat along the Fran-co-British front is accelerating. The French are near Vervins. GERMAN ARMISTICE DELEGATES HOURLY EXPECTED ON WEST FRONT. Received Noon. ; NEW Nov 6. The German armistice delegates are expected hourly to arrive on the Western front.

ARMISTICE DELEGATES LEAVE FOR WEST FRONT.

Received Noon

NEW YORK, Nov 6

An official dispatch from Berlin says the German armistice delegation has 'gone to the West front.

The German Socialists have re quested the Kaiser to abdicate.

GERMANS IN DESPERATE PLIGHT

NEW YORK Nov. 5. The opinion expressed throughout the Press is that tire terms of the •Austrian armistice could not have been exceeded in severity if she had actually surrendered on the field of battle It is pointed out that Germany’s position is now desperate. The fact that the Allies will bo able to use the Austrian railway to attack Germany at strategic points marks the Teutons’ death-knell. The general opinion is that Germany will not continue the struggle, no matter how severe or humiliating the terms of the armistice WASHINGTON, Nov. 5

President Wilson is about to notify German that she must apply to General Foch if she wants peace terms. The general impression here is that Germany is about to open ngotiations for an armistice. GERMANY TAKING MEASURES FOR DEFENCE. NOT DISMAYED BY AUSTRIA’S DEFECTION. Received noon. AMSTERDAM, Nov. 6. The German Government have considered the effects'of the Austrian armistice, and see no reason for precipitate action. Necessary measures for defence of the southern frontier are already taken, THe German Government have manifestoed the people, urging unity to enable the country to surmount its difficulties. It appeals to the civil and military authorities to assist to the utmost in i?.pplyi n g political reforms, - and adds that the Government army and navy leaders desire

peace, hut must protect the frontiers against invasion. Our troops need rest; this is the sole reason for calling up fresh men. It concludes: The German people’s’ confidence is the Government’s essential need. The Kaiser sent a message to the troops on the west front, expressing gratitude • for , their extraordinary bravery and achievements during the last few months, which frustrated the enemy ”s annihilation plans.

AWKWARD FOR GERMANY.

AUSTRIANS WITHDRAWN FROM WEST FRONT.

Received Noon.

AMSTERDAM, Nov 6

The Austrian divisions west of the Meuse have been withdrawn as a result of the armistice. The adjustments have caused grave trouble fo the their troops envying the Austrians’ good luck. ALLIES LOSE TOUCH WITH GERMANS. RETREAT TOO FAST. Received Noon. LONDON, Nov 6. The Germans are retreating so fast that the pursuers have lost touch. Speculation is rife as to where they will make their next stand. Whether they will attempt to hold the Mezieres —Maubeuge line or go back to Namur, Brussels, and Antwerp. NEW ZEALANDERS’ WONDERFUL FEAT. UNITED PRAISE BY CORRESPONDENTS. Received 11.40 a.m. LONDON, Nov 6. The war correspondents unite in praising the New Zealanders’ capture of Le Quesnoy ,and term it “splendid achievement,” “extraordinary spectacle,” “most heroic,” “most dramatic episode,” “one of the most outstanding single feats ef the war,” “first time besieged town formally surrenders to British troops.”

CITY OF GUISE CAPTURED BRILLIANT FRENCH ADVANCE. ■ THOUSANDS OF PRISONERS ; Received 10 a.m. Y. LONDON, November 6. Sir Douglas Haig at 12.35 this evening reported; Northward of the Sambre River our advanced troops pressed forward beyond the Mormal forest and reached the main Aveesnes-B'avay road south-eastward of Bamy. They also progressed westward of Bavay and on other parts of the battle front. An American communique states: The First Army crossed the Meuse south of Dun under a heavy cannonade which frequently wrecked the bridges. They fought their way up the slopes of the east bank, breaking the enemy ’s strong resistance. They captured two hills in Chattilion Wood 'and captured Dun in the. afternoon, and pushed a mile beyond. Another corps reached the river at Cessilugy, and seized the forest of Julnay. They captured Beaumont and advanced two miles beyond. We are now five miles from the SedanMetz railway. The Third Corps on the left advanced through the rugged forests beyond Stonnc. Fifty-one more guns have been captured west of the Meuse. Seventeen enemy aeroplanes were shot down in air fights; seven Americans arc missing.

A French communique says: On the whole French front, from the Sambre Canal to the Argonne the Gorman retreat continued in the day time, and we advanced at certain places to a depth of ten kilometres. The First Army is gathering the fruit of the severe battle yesterday for the crossing of the Sambre Canal. We completely defeated six German Divisions and captured four thousand prisoners and sixty guns. We captured Guise. For the first hour the advance continued unresistingly and we reached at the end of the day bary Esquieheries, Lavaquereshc, Crupilly, Malzy, Eomery Saints Eichaumont and Housset, liberating numerous civilians. Farther to the right wo hold Laeuville, Marie, Bosmont, Ebouleau } Bucy, Les Pierrepont, Dizy-Le Gros. Heavy fighting north-west of Chateau Porcian also caused a general retreat of the Germans. Our lino passes north of Waleppc and Hannozne, west of Chaudion and St. Fcrgeux. We captured Hearpy, Condeleshorpy, and Chateau Porcien. We crossed the Aisne at Nantevil, and in the Argonne by a brilliant surprise crossed the Ardennes canal, and the Aisne, passing far beyond Montzon and Lechisnc, jand reaching the villages of Pouvergny and Sauvillc.