WESTERN FRONT.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 June 1918, Page 6

WESTERN FRONT.

HUTIER'S ATTACK STOPPED. French Feats of Valor. , . London, June 14. c Mr. Perris writes: General von Boehm s attack on the eastern bank of the battlefield southwards of the Aiane is intended to create a diversion in consequence of General von Hutier's severe check westward, where is the real line of resistance. Von Boehm hurled five divisions astride Laversine on a front of four miles. . The French, although outnumbered, broke repeated assaults and even advanced at Damard, on the southern border of Villers Cotterets forest, more than counter, balancing the slight enemy gain on this front. But the most cheerful news consists of the French centre and left bringing to a stop von Hutier's attack from the north. If the Germans could have broken through by the open country westward of the Oise they would automatically have cancelled the enormous advantage of the great forests eastward of the Oise which mask the Parisian region. The danger of the capital would then have become immediate. We must not rejoice prematurely, but the present offensive has gained less than any of the preceding phases, while in the only vital part of the field the situation is well in hand. Mr. Perris, instancing the bitterness of the struggle, describes the fighting at Courcelles. The Germans advanced under cover of a wheat field on Sunday morning, and rushed the village. The French re-formed, Tecaptured it, and took 200 prisoners. New enemy waves returned, but were repulsed manv times. The village became beset on three sides, and furious fighting continued on Monday until the great French counterattack on Tuesday relieved the garrison. The Allied airmen performed remarkable feats during this counter-attack. Sweeping low, they machine-gunned the enemy, bombing his heavy batteries and their crews and putting the guns out of action.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. Terrible Enemy Losses. London, June 14. German attacks on Wednesday north of the Aisne were repulsed with terrible loss. Large numbers of German dead were left. The Germans attempted to deceive the French ! bv sending out numbers of armed men, who pretended to be about to surrender. On nearing the French lines they fell flat, and revealed advancing Germans with machine-guns. The French opened a murderous fire and the Germans retreated. Five divisions were identified between the Aisne Forest and Villers Cotterets yesterday. It is estimated thev lost 20,000. Americans Capture Positions. London, June 14. An American communique Bays: We captured the last German position in Belleau Wood on the afternoon of the 12th. Heavy enemy attacks on Thursday on a 11 miles' front on the line Belleau-Bouresches, preceded by intense artillery fire, completely broke down, leaving our positions intact. The enemy's losses were severe. Our airmen on the night of the 12tU effectively bombed the stations at Doamary and Baroncourt, north-westward of Metz. AH returned.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Reuter. British Repulse Attack. London, June 14. Sir Douglas Haig reports: A strong attack early to-day on our new post southward of Merris was completely repulsed. There is active hostile artillery fire in the Villers-Bretomeux' Bector and the Scarpe Valley.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Reuter.

Americans Highly Praised. London, June 14. Colonel Repington says that the arrivals of Americans in the plist two months has been most remarkable. One can almost say that a new American army arrives in France monthly. The Americans are lighting wherever the Generalissimo requires them. They are holding important sectors on the eastern French front and also battling on the Marne and at Montdidier. All our commanders speak most highly of the American battalions which have joined our armies, comparing them to the Dominion troops, who are second to none.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. Estimate of Odds. London, June 14. llr. Belloc says the German numerical superiority in the West is 10 against 7. The odds will he redressed bv the Americans. but it will take four to six months. —Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. The German Report. London, June 14. Wireless German official: Strong French counter-attacks south-west of Noyon broke down with the heaviest losses. Over sixty armored c&rs are lying on the battlefield. Our prisoners now amount to 15,000. The enemy captured some of our guns. We attacked south of the Aisne and drove the enemy beyond Cutry and Dommier9. Wc cleared the enemy out cf the region of Savieres, taking prisoner )500.—Av». N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Rcuter. Germans Resent Harassing Tactics. London, June 14. Mr. Percival 'Phillips says prisoners admit that the Germans bitterly resent the unpleasant activity of the British who arc constantly and methodically raiding and scoring small successes in rectifying the advancing line. Tired German divisions withdrawn from the active front are promised rest and quiet on the supposition that the British are too weak to disturb them. They aro soon disillusioned. Our frequent sudden day and night local attacks keep the enemy in constant suspense, besides killing and taking prisoner many,-Au«. &Z.