WESTERN FRONT.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 July 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

DRY ROT SETS IN. RESULT OF DISHEARTENING REVERSES. Received July 11, 5.5 p.m. London, July 10. Mr. Pirrie Robinson says: Captured army orders issued by General von der Marwitz showed that the discipline, which was the keystone of the German army, was seriously shaken. The number of eases of soldiers refusing to obey orders was increasing to an alarming extent—Times Service. Received July M, 8.40 p.m. London, July 10. Mr. Percival Phillips, referring to General von der Marwitz's order regarding the wapt of discipline in German ranks, says that von der Marwitz's division, since taking their positions at the end of March, facing Amiens and astride the Somme, have had a series of disheartening reverses and constant artillery punishment. No wonder dry rot has set in. There are reports of excesses in the back areas, including looting of supply trains and misconduct of some of the infantry entrusted with the forward defences. 'He adds that there is no evidence that decay and lack of discipline is general or widespread, but significant cases of pillaging have occurred in the 18th Army, who occupy the zone on von der Marwitz's left. Meanwhile the long-promised offensive Has not materialised, and for a reason of which we can only guess. Von der Marwitz lias not made a single effective counter-attack.—Press Assoc.

FRENCH CAPTURE PRISONERS LONG-RANGE BOMBARDMENT OF PARIS. Paris, July 10. Semi-official: Since June 15 the French In local operations have captured 5400 prisoners. There have been 141 killed and 432 injured by the long-range gun and aerial bombardments in Paris from January 1 to June 30, excluding 66 suffocated during the panic on March 11.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. FEROCITY OF ARTILLERYING. RETALIATION AGAINST ALLIED RAIDS. Received July 11, 8.40 p.m. London, July 10. Mr. Philip Gfbbs writes that the ferocity of the German artillerying on Monday was mainly intended as a retaliation against the Allied raids. He does not think it forewarns big attacks. The Canad : ans on the Arras front have also been raiding with relentless industry, carrying out forty-eight raids in 90 days. Recently the raiders left 90 dead in a German trench, in addition to many wounded. All were bayoneted. The Canadians say they prefer the bayonet to the bomb, because it makes a cleaner job.—Press Assoc. ANTI-TANK RIFLE. IMPOTENOE OF GERMAN GUNNERS. Received July 11, 5.5 p.m. London, July 10. Mr. Gilmour, writing from the Australian headquarters, says: Among the Australians' trophies at Hamel are three anti-tank rifles, which were used for the first time. The rifle is a large, heavy weapon, almost twice the size of the ordinary German rifle, constructed on the same lines, and capable of piercing the tanks' armor at 500 yards. The Germans achieved no success with the new weapon, the gunners fleeing before the tanks, whose total casualties were three wounded.—(Press Assoc. OFFICIAL REPORTS. Received July 11, 8.40 p.m. London, July 10. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—We repulsed locaf attacks eastward of Tillers Bretonneaux, The enemy guns developed considerable activity at Villers Bretonueaux to the Ancre. We drove off raiders southward of Buoquoy, and slightly advanced our line in the neighborhood of Merris. A French communique states: —There was reciprocal artillerying north of Montdiddier and south of the Aisne. In the region of Chavigny Farm, we conducted several cijup de mains. In the Champaigne, we .took prisoners. Seven German aeroplanes and five captive balloons were downed.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assoc- and Reuter. PLIGHT OF GERMAN SECOND ARMY. London, July 10. Mr. Percival Phillips states that the lot of 'the German Second Army is unenviable in the Ancre Valley above Albert, where its repeated attempts to climb out of the river-bed have been frustrated. Also southward of Albert they suffer constantly from the pernicious activity of the Australians. Many roads are so swept by shell-fire that aeroplanes are the only medium for bringing rations to the front lines. Pnsoners state that the soldiers lynched some airmen who managed to drop their rations on the wrong side of No Man's Land.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. GAINS BY AUSTRALIANS. London, July 10. The United Press correspondent reports that the Australians, near Merris, captured positions 250 yards forward i along a 1200 yards front. The Australians at Villera-Bretonneux i dashed on slightly and established new i "trenches.—United Service. COUNTER-ATTACK REPULSED. f London, July 10. After prolonged fire the Germans 1 'launched this morning a strong attack i on the Australians at Bretonneux. So