WESTERN FRONT.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 June 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

FRENCH SACRIFICE AND HEROISM. Impossible to Summarise It. 300,000 Fresh Troops Thrown In London, June 12. It is estimated that 300,000 fresh troops have been thrown in during the last 24 hours. It is impossible to summarise the French suffering and heroism. This episode is typical. A party of dismounted cavalry defending Plemont beat off fourteen assaults upon the liill. The latest German tanks are lightly armored. Their weight is about 40 tons, and speed nine miles an hour. They carry a 2%-ineh gun mounted forward, and in addition half-a-dozen machine-guas.-—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

THE SAFETY OF PARIS. No Fears Entertained. Paris, June 12. While the committee appointed by M. Clemenceau is studying measures for the defence of the city, it must be emphasised that the Government does not expect Paris to be brought within range of a steady bombardment or actually endangered.—Timea.

AIRMEN ACTIVE. Remarkable Adventures. London, Juno 12. Mr. Percival Phillips reports that British airmen are active in the French zone between Montdidier and Noyon, machinegunning the infantry and bombing concentration camps and depots. On Sunday night the British dropped over 300 bombs around Roye and fired 30,000 rounds. Two of our aviators had a remarkable escape after having been brought down by anti-aircraft guns behind the German lines. They had many exciting adventures in the enemy front trenches and Ko Man's Land. The observer was stunned by the fall. The pilot revived him, and both walked towards the French lines. They stumbled on a German battery in action, and the aviators were forced to lie in a hedge all day long. Eventually tliey swam a river and readied a French post, after hairbreadth escapes among German sentries, who frequently challenged and fired. On another occasion a German decoy machine signalled the approach of a British patrol. Six German albatrosses swooped to the attack, and simultaneously another six albatrosses appeared, confusing the first batch, who thought them Britishers. A general dog-fight ensued in which the British brought down the German decoy and also two albatrosses. They then withdrew, leaving the remaining albatrosses fighting among themselves.—Aus. NX Oaoble Assoc.

GERMAN AIMS. • Seriousness of the Position. Views of Critics. London, June 11. The German advance at Ribecourt menaces the French holding Mont Itenaud, -which is the key to the Oise valley, and endangers the •whole salient marked by the Oise-Ribecourt-Soissons. The Germans' success in the centre is attributed to the unexpectedly large number of tanks employed, some of ■which slipped through the French antitank barrage. Foch.'s counter-attack in the centre, recovering 3$ miles o# country, however shows that the fighting qualities of the defenders are still unimpaired. The seriousness of the position must not be minimised, as Hutier.'s present objective is strictly limited, namely to straighten out the battle front between Montdidier and Soissons. The German losses are manifestly very great, but the losses may be justified if Von Hutier's objective is gained or if Foch is compelled to weaken his defence in order to hold the Oise valley. All critics agree that if Foch is compelled to put in his reserves Ludendorff will launch a stageering attack in the direction of the Channel ports. It is estimated that Yon JTutier has 25 reserve divisions, most of which have already been used once. The fact that he is continually putting in fresh shock divisions in massed formation shows the German determination to carry the enterprise through.—Aus. K\Z. Cable Asociation. A SEA BATTLE. Germans May Risk Everything. London, June 12. A considerable body of British naval opinion supports M. Mar,"el Hutin's view that a sea battle may synchronise with the next great attack on the north front. It is believed that if the Germans think they are winning they will risk everything in a wis effort to increase the strain everywhere in order to break down the Allies' nerve. Paris comment shows marked satisfaction with yesterday's fighting, though the continuance of invincible confidence Is tinged with some suspense. LTTomme Libre says that when the battle is ended the enemy may have reserves larger than ours, but if we hold the forests of Compeigne, Laigne, and Villers Cotterets we shall have won. — United Service.

HASTENING THE CLIMAX.» At Whatever Cost. Confidence in Foch's Ability to Hold the Enemy. Received June 13, 7.30 p.m. t _ New York, June 12. The Kew York Times' Paris correspondent states that the enemy is determined, at whatever cost, to hasten the climax of the battle. This is proved l>y the Crown Princo borrowing four divisions from Prince Rupprccht. Paris believes General Fuch will bo able to hold the line for four months' when there will be a million and a quarter of Americans in France.—Press Association.

BATTLE HAS MOST SERIOUS ASPECT. French May Have to Readjust Their Line. Received June 13, 7.30 p.m. London, June 12. The battle is one having a most serioils aspect. Von Hutier's attack resulted in a gain, of territory west of the Oise, whence the French had to retire to Ribecourt, as the river was behind them and unbridged i* The wi' 3taral created a deep French salient on the left bank of the Oise from Ribecourt to_ Sempigny. The salient is only four miles wide at the narrowest point, so a readjustment of the French line may bo esentiaL Von Hutier's plans included the capture of Compeigne by Sunday evening, but General Schooler's cavalry still has six miles to go.—Press Assoc.

ENEMY'S MAIN EFFORT. A Complete Failure. Enemy's Rush Believed to be Stemmed. Received June 13, 8.5 p.m. London. June 12. neuter's correspondent at French headquarters, writing on the morning of the 12th, says: The enemy's main effort on the lino Chevrincourt-Marcliemont-Beth-ancourt was a complete failure. Under the fire of our machine-guns and, artillery the German infantry waves hesitated and were rolled back in the centre. The Geramas got momentary possession of Marchemont, but were ejected by a counter-attack. It is now known that the Germans be<?an the battle with fourteen divisions, which wero all engaged on the first day. The attack in the centre, along tWb valley of the Main, which was the most successful, was entrusted to five divisions, including some of the enemy's best troops, one being a Guard and one a Chasseur division. The enemy's main objective on the first day was to block the wooded hills between the Oise and the Mate, whichhe turned by an advance down the Matz valley. After three days' hard fighting he reached the first day.'s objective in this quarter. The second day's objective was the city of Compeigne, which is still far away, and was brought no nearer by yesterday's fighting. The most memorable incident in the battle was the defence of Pelmont by cavalrymen. This hill was the main French observatory in the Lassigny sector. It was defended by dismounted cuirassiers, a few hundred strong, who held out against incessant attacks from four o'clock on Sunday morning till midday on Monday. The commander sent wireless messages hourly saying the defenders were still holding out. The last message, when the hill was surrounded, said: "We are done for." The ciiirra*siers succumbed to the twentieth attack, lasting in all thirty-two hours. In the Matz valley a crack. German chasseur division was cut to pieces. The Guards also suffered the heaviest losses on our left. The enemy divisions were engaged in a three days.' battle on a line of villages which are still in our hands. They must have left half their numbers on the field. We now hold some points on the original German lines. The ffeneral impression is that although the battle will continue for several days the enemy's rush is stemmed. —Renter. London, Juno 12 (10.30 p.m.). Sir Douglas Haig reoprts: The 'French successfully raided on the night of the 11th in the neighborhood of Locre. There has been nothing special on the British battle front. —Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Reuter.

GERMAN OFFICIAL Bitter Fighting. Received June 13, 9.45 p.m. London, .Tune 12. Wireless German official: We repulsed with the heaviest losses a French counter-attack south-west of jSToyon, and threw the enemy back on the whole front Le Ployron to Antheuil. We cleared the enemy out of the we-?t hank of the Oise northward of the junction with the Matz. The prisoners are now 13,000. The enemy evacuated Clarepont" wood. We. pursuing, reached a line running northward of Baillv through Traey-le-Vfll to westward of Nampool. There was hard fighting on the 11th. Von Hutier repulsed an expected counterattack for the recapture of a group of hills south-west of Noyon, and which was carried out in strength by several French divisions. Armored cars, brought in frrcat numbers, were shot to pieces on the battlefield. Our counter-attack scattered the enemy assault between Mery and Belloy. There was bitter fighting until nightfall, we pursuing the enemy beyond Clarepont and Oaisnes. The enemy, regardless of sacrifices, kept up attacks north-west of Chateau Thierry, which •broke down sanguinarily.—Aw* JT.Z. JfcMe Assoc. and ItcoJtw,

FRENCH BEAR THE SHOCK. Inflict Very Heavy Losses. Desperate Fighting Continuing. Received Juno 13, 2.30 p.m. London, Juno 12. A r ivm-h communique states: Between Montdidicr and the Oise the battle continued without any great change yesterday afternoon and evening. On the left all the enemy's attempts to counterattack were shattered. We made new progress east of Mery and tile Senlis wood. Tlio Germans, hy violent attacks, also attempted to drive us back on Aronde, on the front of St. Maur-Dcs-loges Farm-Anthcuil. Wo bore the shock and inflicted very heavy losses on the attackers and maintained our positions. The Germans are attacking between the Aisne and the forest of Villers Cotterets. Desperate fighting is proceeding. —Press Assoc.

FRENCH COUNTER-ATTACK. A Significant Statement. Received Juno 13, 3.5 p.m. Paris, June 12. It is too early to estimate the results of the successful French counter-attack, t>ut it is significant that a German communiquo states that the battle's intended results have been gained.

GERMAN DISREGARD OF LOSSES. Considerable Results Obtained. No Pause in the Battle. London, June 12. Mr. Ferris writes: Following the orthodox German plan, in order to avoid proclaiming a first-class failure, Von Hutier was obliged to throw in his reserves regardless of losses. It will probably bo found that 100,000 fresh troops have been employed, in the past twenty-four hours, and about 25 divisions engaged, of which eight have been already broken up and withdrawn. By this prodigal means pretty considerable results have been obtained. The Germans have forced their way down the Mate valley in constantly renewed waves and reached llarque Eglise, Vandeicourt, and Elincourt, thus turning the plateau of Thiescourt by the south-west, leaving the French cornered in a narrow range of hills before Ribecowt, with another salient across the Oiso consisting of the low-lying wood of Onrscamp and Carlepont: The Germans secured less success on their right, though they are eight miles from Estrees-St. Denis and Compeigne, both junctions of some importance. Everywhere the French are fighting with fierce and stubborn bravery. Later in the evening a message was received stating that the battle continues without a pause. The enemy may regard the completion of the manoeuvre at Thiescourt and Piibecourt permits a halt, enabling him to bring up guns and make good his losses. The problem of transport and supply is difficult in such n. region. The Germans are hurriedly embodying men in combatant units, particularly in the artillery, who hitherto have been regarded as fit only for auxiliary services. This indicates anxiety regarding available effectives. Jt is well known that the armies' food situation is not good. The evacuation of the DreslincourtRibecourt angle was carried out early thisi morning. This is a region of deep valleys and thickly wooded hills, most favoraJble ground for infiltration tactics. The defenders, with the Oise at thei> backs, would have risked useless loss of life and material by continuing to hold out. The lino of the Matz river, five miles beyond the German departure point, now marks the front of this side. More to the westward the French have done better. The new enemy drive hist night, with masses of fresh troops, threw back the French along the Estrces road Sis far as the Aronda valley. French reserves, however, were readv to intervene, and a fine counter-attack broke the German ranks and brought back the French to their former positions southward of Bcllnv and Marque F,?lise. One of the chief incidents of this admirable recoil was a charge by blaek troops, supported by tanks. The strength of the French resistance on this flank greatly limits lh<? value of such success as the enemy has obtained. The artillery forces are approximately equal, and our aviation is definitely superior.—Aus. U.Z. Cable Association.

BRITISH AVIATORS. Help French at Noyon. Received June 13, 11.30 p.m. London, June 13 (2,30 a.m.). Sir Douglas aviation report states: Our aeroplanes assisted the French counter-attack oil the western portion of the Noyon battle-front on the llth, by special patrols dealing with German machines and vigorous and constant bombing of the enemy's trenches, gun, positions, and communications. In the same area wo destroyed ten German aeroplanes and drove down four uncontrollable. The British lost three, and two British missing yesterday have returned. Tlio .Anglo-French squadrons, since the German attack on the Noyon sector, have dropped twenty-one tons of bombs and accounted for twenty-nine enemy machines. On tlio British front two German machines were shot down and two driven down imeontrollalble. One British is missing. Our niglit-fliers heavily attacked the railway at Cambrai and billets at Flemin court.—Aus. NjZ. Cable Assoc. and Beuter.

GERMANS UNABLE TO DEBOUCH. French Counter-Attack. Forestalls Powerful Enemy Attack. Keceived Juno 13, 10.30 p.m. London, June 12 (7.20 p.m.). . A French communique states: On our right the Germans, despite repeated efforts, were unable to debouch on tho southern hank of the Matz. We hold the southern part of Chovincourt and the station of St. Aurmatz. According to the latest information our counter-attack yesterday forestalled a powerful enemy attack vrhfeh was preparing on the same front. We encountered great forces, which we overran. Prisoners taken by one of our divisions belonged to four different enemy divisions. South of the Aisne the Germans this morning attacked between the river and the forest of Villers Cotterets. Desperate fighting ensued. We occupy the front Domniers-Outry, south o£ Ambleny.—.Press Assoc. Keceived June 13, 11.30 p.m. Paris, Jims 12. A French communique states: Between Montdidier and the O'lso the enemy renewed his pressure. All his attempts on our left to recapture our yesterday's gains failed. We progres-f-cd in the, legion of Belloy wood and St. Maur, and took four hundred more prisoners, several guns, and several machine-guns. There is no change on the St. MaurAntheuil front. The Germans on our right renewed his attacks on the Matz river. After several costly attempts he gained a footing on the southern bank, and also at the village of Melicocq and the heights of Rieord Cross. Our troops east of the Oise on Monday night effected their withdrawal on the lino Bailly-Tracy-le-Yal, west of Nampool, protected by a covering detachment, which marked the movement. We repulsed an enemy attack in the region of Hauteibraye and took prisonera.—Press Assoc.

DESPERATE COMBATS. Aeroplanes Assist in CounterAttacks. Received June 14, 12.50 a.m. London, June 13. South of the Aisne there were desperate combats, sometimes hand to hand, between the river and Villers Cottereta forest. We stoutly resisted the attacks of the enemy, who progressed slightly on the plateau west of the villages of Dommiers and Cutry. His efforts against Ameleny and St. Pierre Regale failed. North of the Marne we captured Mante, Courtles, Bouquedan, north of Eloup, and the southern part of Bussiares. Aeroplanes yesterday participated in our counter-attack on the front from Montdidier to St. Maur, the bombing dispersing the enemy divisions coming to meet the shock. The convoys were stopped and the hejivy batteries deserted. The gunners ceased their fire altogether. Twenty-six tons of projectiles were dropped, in addition to thirteen at nighttime on the enemy stations. Thirteen enemy were downed yesterday.