WESTERN FRONT.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 June 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

ALLIES WILL BAFFLE ENEMY'S PURPOSE. And Bring Him to Defeat. London, June 4. The Press Bureau reports: Tlie Supreme War Council held its sixth session in circumstances of great gravity for the alliance of free peoples. The German Government, relieved of all pressure on the east front, is attempting to gain a decision in Kurope before the United States can bring its full strength effectively to bear. The advantage of his strategic position and superior railway facilities enabled the enemy command to gain some initial successes. He will undoubtedly renew his attacks and the allied nations may still be exposed to critical days. After a review of the whole position the council says i( is convinced that the Allies will bear the trials of the forthcoming campaign with the same fortitude they have ever exhibited in defence of the right and will baffle the enemy's purpose, and in duje course bring him to defeat. Everything possible is being done to sustain and support the armies in the field. The arangements for unity of command have greatly unproved the position of the allied armies and are working smoothly and successfully. The Council has complete confidence in General Foch and regards with pride anil admiration the valor of the Allied troops. Thanks to President Wilson's prompt and cordial co-operation the arrangements for tansportation are bringing American troops who will prevent the enemy wearing out the allied reserves before the exhaustion of his own. The Council is confident of the ultimate result of the Allies' opposition to the despotism of Berlin. Their armies ate displaying the same steadfast courage which has enabled them on many previous occasions to defeat the German onset. They have only to endure with patience to the end to make victory and freedom secure for the free peoples. Their magnificent soldiers will save civilisation.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. and Reuter FURTHER FIERCE FIGHTING. Americans Check the Enemy. London, June 5. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—We made successful raids in the neighborhood of Lens and southward of the La Bassee Canal and repulsed a raid south-west of Morlancourt. Hostile' artillery is active northwards of the Scarpe and Lys rivers, also at Mcrris, and in the. Ypre'sComines Canal sector. A French communique, issued on Tuesday afternoon, says: FaveroUeh, which the enemy attacked, was held by us, also Trocsnes. The fight was equally lively in the region south of the Otircq. The enemy, supported by numerous artillery, directed an effort against Mosloy and Neuilly-la-Poterie, Torcy and Bouresches. Counter-attacks enabled us to recapture Mosloy. Fierce fighting occurred in the village of Neuilly-la-Poterie, which after passing from hand to hand remained in the possession of the Germans.

American troops checked the advance of the German forces trying to enter Neuilly Wood. A magnificent counterattack threw them back north of the wood.

Further south the enemy was unable to realise any pain on the Marne front. An enemy battalion which crossed to the left bank before Jaulgonne was counter-attacked by French and American troops and driven back to the other bank and the enemy's pontoon bridge destroyed.—Aus.-N.25. Cable Assn. and Eeuter.

BARRIERS TO PARIS. Cavalry and Airmen Do Brilliant Work. Paris, June 5. Critics are unanimous that the recent German losses have been exceedingly heavy, especially during the last three days. This alone is sufficient to explain the diminution in the pressure. Solid barriers have now been erected on the three principal roads to Paris. It is a matter for congratulation that the latest great effort, after only eight days, may be regarded as broken. The Germans have virtually surrounded Rheims, but have failed to make any impression at Villers Cotterets or in the Retz Forest. The work of defence has largely fallen on the French cavalry, particularly in the Ourcq sector, where they bore the brunt of the German attack between Nesles Forest, and Dravigny. One battalion of cavalry was surrounded, but refused to surrender and instead changed its direction and, going south fought its way through with the bayonet. When they got free the cavalry turned northward and drove back the enemy. French airmen also performed most brilliant service. The officer in command of an air squadron on Thursday launched 50 machines against an enemy column which occupied three miles of road. It was like a cavalry charge. The aeroplanes flew ten or twenty yards above the ground pouring a hail of machine-gun fire into the column until it dispersed.—Aus-N.Z. Cable Assn. An Enemy Raid. Received June 6, 9.45 p.m. London, .Tune 5. Sir Douglas Haig reports that as a result of an attempted enemy raid in the neighborhood, of Morlancourt we took 21 prisoners. Aviation Report. Received June (1, 10.55 p.m. London, June 6. Bir Douglas Baig's aviation report states: The weather was overcast and the enemy aircraft was not active. On Tuesday we brought down one and drove down one. We dropped fourteen tons of bombs during the day and night, There were no British losses.--Aus. N.Z, Cable Assoc, and Reuter.