WESTERN FRONT.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 July 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

DETAILS OF ATTACK. Furious Struggles. Offensive Held. London, July IG. A French communique states: The German attack commenced about 4.30 and continued all day long on both sides of Rheims with unabated violence. West of Rheims there were furious struggles in the region of Oeuilly, Chezy and Vassy, to the south of the Marne, which the enemy succeeded in crossing at sorqe points. A vigorous American counter-attack drove bank to the north bank enemy elements which had reached the southern bank to the west of Fossoy. London, July 10. The offensive remains held. The attacks nearly everywhere were repulsed wjth very heavy losses. Eastward of Rheims the front line entanglements are covered with German corpses. There were two evening attacks by tanks at Souain and Prunay. At the latter a wood was captured; elsewhere they were tepulsed. The line of resistance, one or two miles behind the front trenches, is everywhere intact. The French are satisfied that the continuing assaults by the armies of Generals von Below and von Boehm are indications tbat it is the grand offensive and not a diversion that is intended. Thirty divisions have been identified, mostly from Prince Rupprecht's army. There were two main attacks westward of Rheims, one down the Marne, and the other southward from Dormans. The Germans threw from three to six brigades across tho Marne between Dormans and Oeuilly. A captured aeroplane map showed the main attack down the Marne to Epernay—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter. FRENCH ANTICIPATE ATTACK. By An Hour's Start. Paris, July 16. A French headquarters correspondent says the offensive was commenced by the French guns opening at midnight on the whole front from Chateau Thierry to the Main de Massiges ridges. The French so correctly anticipated the enemy's purpose that they began the artillery counter-preparation an hour before the German batteries started to bombard. The infantry attacked at 3 o'clock in the morning on the whole line except round Rheims. The attack was compressed into two main sectors, one from Chateau Thierry to Verneuil and thence northward to the west of Rheims; the other from Fort la Pompelle, east of Rheims, to the Main de Massiges.—Aus. X.Z. Cable Assoc. ANOTHER ACCOUNT. Enemy's Aims Conjectured. London, July 16. The Australian Press Association learns that the Germans started an offensive on a big Bcale against the French »arly in the morning on a 30-mile front, between Chateau Thierry and a point four miles south-westward of Rheims. The enemy penetrated 5000 yards and captured Chezy. Their line of advance has been along tho Marne valley. The Germans took Bouquigny, which is 3000 yards beyond the original trench lines, also Orcourt (not Avocourt, as cabled) and Chamizy. The Germans eastward of Rheims attacked on a 25-mile front, between Prunay and Maison do Champagne, but were brought to a standstill in the French battle positions, where the situation seems satisfactory. The enemy also advanced down the main highway on the Somme-Py Sopain road. Details of hiß progress are lacking. The main thrust was apparently southwest of Rheims, where the advance was rapid. The enemy crossed the Marne at a number cf places before 10 in the morning.

The Germans apparently aim at isolating Rheims by attacking on both sides. They also hope to take the hill southward of the city, known as ihe Mountain of Rheims, which is regarded as a most important position, but the ultimate aim appears to be to break through and sei2e the Chalons railway. The hills will serve to protect the right flank in the further advance south-west. It is not certain yet whether this is the main blow, but the circumstances indicate that it is. It is known that the Germans have prepared for attacks at other points, notably on the Amiens front.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. London, July 15. A French communique says: After violent artillery preparation the Germans attacked this morning from ChateauThierry to Main-de-Massiges. Our troops are energetically sustaining the enemy's shock on a front of about 80 kilometres. The battle is proceeding. A wireless German evening official message says: To the south-we?tward and eastward of Rheims we penetrated parts of the French positions.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc and Renter.

London, July 15. General Maurice says: In view of the fact that the enemy took little trouble to conceal his preparations eastward ot Rheims the offensive may not be the main effort. Rheims is not more than a name, and it is certain General Foeli is ready to evacuate the awkward salient and probably has strong lines behind the mountains of Rheims.

The German object is possibly to use i up our reserves, drawing them from the north preparatory to attacking Amiens or northward, or he may desire to widen the base of attack on Paris, or possibly it is a real effort to defeat the largest possible portion of the French army without geographical objectives. Hindenburg has prepared the ground elsewhere and can watch the present developments and throw in fresh troops to follow up this blow or change his plans Quickly.—Ana, N.Z. Cabk Assoc.

TENACIOUS RESISTANCE.

Impregnable DefenceEast of Rheims, Received July 17, 5.5 p.m. London, July IG. A French communique slates': Between Dormans and Rheims the FrancoItalians are tenaciously resisting on the line Chatillon-sur-Marne, Cauchery, Marfaust, Bouilly. Fast of Rheims the attack, which extended from Sillery to Main de Massiges, encountered an impregnable defence. The enemy renewed his efforts against Prunay and Fes Marqnises, in the regions north of Prosnes and Souain; but, despite repeated attacks, has been unable to make a breach in our fighting positions.— Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter. NO NEW METHODS. Enemy Seeking Range, of Paris. Present Battle May Surpass Previous Battles. Received July 17, 5.5 p.m. London, July 16. Reuter's Amsterdam correspondent at French headquarters states that the enemy adopted no new methods. He advanced under cover, and must have relied on the usual filtration tactics, sending his columns along the small valleys. The Germans are not using anything like one division to a mile, ns in previous attacks. The French higher command is most pleased with the situation. The latest reports, at noon on the 15th, show that on the Prunay-Massiges sector the offensive was hold everywhere, except at Prosnes, while the enemy occupied Prunay, which is half a mile behind the line of attack. West of Rheims, between Colomines and Frasoy, the enemy progressed on a twenty-mile front on an average of from two to three miles, the maximum depth being 3J miles at Belval-Camblezy.— Reuter. Received July 17, 5.5 p.m. London, July IG. The Times says: We are witnessing the beginning of an enterprise which will ultimately surpass in magnitude the previous greatest battles. It is assumed that the enemy hopes to reach an effective bombarding range of Paris. We arc convinced that General Foch and the French army will effectively counter the menace. —Times Service. BACK AREAS SHELLED. To Depth of Eighteen Miles. Received July 17, 5.5 p.m. Londn-n, July 10. No British troops are yet involved in the offensive. The French stopped the enemy eastward of Rheims by gallant counterattacks at 9 in the morning. The greatest line of penetration was presented on the line through Souain-Brosnes-Pninay. The enemy advanced to a depth of three or four miles between Pourcy and Baval. Though the opening bombardment was heavy, Rheims itself was unsdielled. The enemy crossed the Marne at Dormans, iPassy-sur-Marne, and Tossoy. The latest news contradicts the capture of Chedy, which the French held at noon. The Germans gas-shelled the back areas heavily, and the whole front to a depth of eighteen miles. —Press Assoc. LAUNCHING OF THE ATTACK. Allies' Furious Counter Bombardment. Germans Fail to Gain High Ground. Received July 17, 5.5 p.m. London, July IG. Probably sixty Germans are engaged. If so, it suggests this is undoubtedly their main offensive. They launched their first attacks between 4 and 4.30 in the morning, while mist was hanging over the Marne valley, assisting the attackers. The bombardment, including gas-shells, was most intense, between Prunay and Massiges. It was reported at midday yesterday that the assaults were everysvhere held up, except on the Souain road, near Prosnes and Prunay.

The enemy, westward of Rlieims, at midday advanced to a maximum depth of from two to tliree miles on a front of twenty miles. The Germans failed to gain the high ground eastward of Rhcinis, where the maximum depth of advance was a mile and a half. They crossed the Marne in a heavy mist. It is difficult ground, owing to the thick" woods and deep gullies. There were adequate French reserves hehind the sectors. The Morning Post's Paris correspondent says the offensive has not met with anything like the success achieved on the first day of each of its four predecessors. If the Germans relied on the element of surprise they must have been woefuly disappointed, as no sooner did they begin their artillery preparation than masses of Allied guns took up the challenge, with such good effect that there is reason to hope that the Germans suffered much more from our counter-Are than our infantry did from theirs. The violence of the Allied reply may be gauged from the fact that the sound of the guns was never so distinctly heard in Paris. Windows rattled in evcrv part of the city. This has not happened in the throe present offensives, when the guns wcro much nearer the dty.— (Press Assnc

REDOUBLED VIOLENCE.

Enemy Launches Ruinous Attacks. Franco-Americans Resisting Magnificently. Received July 17, 10 p.m. London, July 16, 4.40 p.m. . A French communique states: The battle continued towards tho end of the afternoon. Last night it was conducted with redoubled violence between Chateau Thierry and Rheims. The enemy, accentuating his efforts to enlarge his gains, launched ruinous attacks. The fighting was particularly violent south of the Marne, in the region of Chatillon. The Franco-American troops resisted the enemy magnificently, and counterattacks vigorously on several occasions. —Press Assoc ON A GREAT SCALE. The Enemy's Attacks. "Whole Situation Distinctly Good." Received July 17, 11 pm. London, July 16. Tho latest news states that the Crown Prince continues his heavy attack east of Rheims. The French are resisting valiantly in battle positions two miles behind the front lines. Thero is similar pressure weat of Rheims. The penetration nowhere exceeds four miles. Everything indicates that the enemy has organised his attack on a great scale. The troops include a large proportion of Prince RuppreiM's reserves. Therefore, it is regarded as improbable that the enemy will attempt a simultaneous attack on Amiens or Flanders. Thus far the whole situation is distinctly good, but it is too early to claim a definite repulse. Mr- Gerald Campbell reports that thero are no further enemy gains. Counterattacks slightly gained on the Marne. The Germans admit the severity of tha resistance, and claim thirteen thousand prisoners.—United Service. GERMAN PLANS MISCARRY. Shock Troops' Heavy Losses. Received July 17, 5.5S p.m. Paris, July 10. Semi-official: —Orders found on prison ers show that the Germans expected to reach Epernay on the evening of the [ 15th, Chalons-sur-Marne on the 16th, and Sezanne on the 17th. They employed thirty to thirty-five divisionsOwing to their heavy losses, the shock divisions, instead of being relieved in the evening, were sent back during the morning to be re-formed. Hundreds of German dead are hanging in the barbed wire, while numerous I enemy tanks strew the ground.—Reuter. GERMANS AIM AT TAKING RHEIMS. Foch Long Been Prepared. Received July 17, 7.30 pm. London, July 16. It will take three or four days to learn whether this is the final German attack. There are indications that Hindenburg has not yet shown his whole hand. Probably the Germans themselves do not know whether the attack has disclosed a weakness which will make it desirable to launch a final attack. It is thus far certain that the attack is an attempt to capture Rheims by converging operations east and west, thus straightening the German line by link ing the Manic salient with the line east of Rheims. General Foch was always prepared for this move, which has long been obvious. A NEW ZEALAND RAID. Take 30 Prisoners and Guns. Received July 17? 7.30 p.m. London, July IG. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—The New Zealanders made a successful raid in the neighborhood of Hebuterne, taking over "CI prisoners and 12 machine-guns. We slightly improved our line in the Villers Bretomieaux sector, after sharp fighting. Hostile artillery is active south-west-ward of Albert, and somewhat active at different points of the northern British front.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter.

EXPLOSIVE BULLETS. Used in Hun Machine-guns. Received July 17, 740 p.m. New York, July 15. The New York Times' correspondent on the West front states that the Huns arc using explosive machine-gun bullets. —Press Assoc. AMERICAN SUCCESS. Germans Driven Across Marne. Washington, July IG. Tho Americans drove the Germans across the Marne in the Fossoy region.— Aus. Cable Assoc. London, July 16. Gorman attacks on the Maine continue ineffectively. Tho Americans have recaptured Fossoy and Crezaney, south of tho Marne. German airmen bombed the American hospital at Jouy, lolling two men.— Aus, telephones. — Press Assoc.

ATTACK ON THE AMERICANS.

A Crushing Defeat. German Elan Completely Upset. Received July 17, 5.5 p.mLondon, July 10. American official: —Eastward of Chateau Thierry, where the enemy succeeded this morning in gaining some ground, we counter-attacked and drove tliem back to the Marne, and prisonered five hundred. In the Vosges, • five trench raids were attempted by the ofremy, but broke down.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assoc and Reuter. Received July 17, 5.58 pm. London, July 16. The American Headquarters (Monday evening):—The Americans on the river bend now command the river front, so the German plan here was completely upset. A famous German division in the left bend attempted all day to cross. All their assaults withered under our fire. Hot a single German crossed the river. The prisoners taken in the counterattack are between 1000 and 1500, including a complete brigade staff. The Germans retired hesitatingly at first Soon many broke and ran. Within three hours the enemy was driven back from the river. The American njaehine-gunners coi* tributed most effectively to defeating the enemy plan.—Reuter. A BRILLIANT EPISODE. How the Americans Broke the Enemy. Received July 17, 10 p.m. London, July 16. Mr. Philip Gibbg opines that Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria may be ordered to make a number of holding attacks against the British, and strike a number of hammer blows, with the object of keeping the British heavily engaged. Apart from tho early morning foggy weather, the conditions were not favorable to the enemy. South winds prevented the use of poison gas, and on the open moorlands of the Champagne the winds were likely to blow, back the fumes of their own shells upon the assailants. The American counter-attack on the Marne, in which they prisonered 1000, was a most brilliant episode. The Americans "held four kilometres of the front, where the bombardment was heaviest The Americans were subjected to this blast for ten hours, but stuck it without turning a hair. The ferocity of the American response and the machinegunnery of the infantry m the counterattack drove the Boches to the river in such haste that many were drowned whilst attempting to cross. % One artillery unit, being short of ammunition, called for volunteers to travel three miles over the shell-swept road Kvery man volunteered. A number of picked men drove their horses and caissons at a gallop through -the shell-bursts When the horses were killed, the men cut them out of harness and managed to bring up the ammunition.—Press Assoc. ALLIES' BATTLE POSITIONS. Not Been Encroached Upon. German Losses Extremly High. Received July 17, 11.50 p.m. London, July 17. A French communique sttaes: South of tho Marne the Germans were unable to pass the line St. Agnan—La Chapelle—Monthonon—southern confines of the forest of Douquigny We took prisoner a thousand in this region We hold Moreuilsep, north of the Marne. We held the enemy at the southern approaches to Chatillon and south of the eastern borders of Rodemat Wood. There is no appreciable change on the rest of the line.

The enemy made no attempt during the night east of Rheims. The Germans were exhausted by their fruitless struggle yesterday, and were unable to pass beyond our cover zone, which runs through Prunay and the southern borders of the woods northward of the Roman high road as far aa Suippe, and the region north of Souain and Perthes lea sur Lus. Our battle positions have not been encroached upon anywhere. Prisoners report that the German losses yesterday were extremely high.— Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter. A COMPLETE FAILURE. The Enemy Held Everywhere. Their Spirit Broken. Received July 17, 11.50 p.m. London, July 17. .Reuter's correspondent at Americaa headquarters, writing on the 16th, says reports from the whole battlefield indicate that, except in a few minor localities, the offensive up to now has been a complete failure. Prisoners say they are convinced they are beaten. A message on an enemy carrier pigeon, captured east of Chateau Thierry, states: "The situation is serious. There is no chance of making further progress iu that locality." East of Rheims early this morning we not only were holding up enemy attempts to advance, but appear to have broken their spirit. At one place here our counter-attack drove the enemy from a salient in the region of Fossoy. We improved our positions at night, and drove the enemy across the river, taking prisoners.—Reuter. THE SUPER-GUN AT WORK. Paris, July 15. The long range bombardment of ilia ,vitj was resumed on Monday.—Aus.