GERMANS REFUSE TO ACCEPT DEFEAT.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 July 1918, Page 5

GERMANS REFUSE TO ACCEPT DEFEAT.

ATTACKING DETERMINEDI7Y IN THE SALIENT: MOST VIOLENT FIGHTING Received July 27, 12.25 a.m. London, July 2G, Renter.'s correspondent at French headquarters, writing 011 the afternoon of the 25th, says the Germans have strengthened their line, and are counterattacking determinedly on the whole front in the ardenois salient, from t-lie Ourcq to Vrigny, thus attacking towards the west, routh, and east. Apparently the Germans have decided to refuse to accept defeat, and are making a further stand for the salient and a footing north of the Jlarne. The Germans south of the Ourcq are attacking in a soiith-c-asterly direction against the Bois c!e Ratqiiarnelio and the line Beuar-dc Slechalmel. Further south attack and counterattack are alternating in rapid succession, the fighting being most violent. The enemy 011 the eastern limb of the salient attacked the new British salient enclosing the woods west of Vi'igny, in strong force, we vigorously counterattacking.—Press Assoc. FOCH'S PLAN. AS SEEN BY THE GERMANS. Received July 20, 7.30 p.m. Berne, July 25. The Frankfurter Zeitung says: "General Foch's plan was not merely an attack on both sides of Rheims. but was intended to upset Hindenburg's entire plan, compelling him to use up his strategic reserves. The first part of the plans, consisting of the stoppage of our offensive, has been successful.—Press Assoc.

SIXTY-FOUR DIVISIONS. RAISED BY THE GERMANS. THEIR LOSSES DOUBLY SERIOUS. Received July 20, 7.30 p.m. London, July 25. i Sixty-four German divisions have been I identified. It is significant that they include reserves from groups of the Crown Prince, General Gallwitz, Prince Rupprecht and Prince Albrecht of Wurtemburg. Nearly a third of the enemy's armies were engaged. It is proved that the units were much below strength, and it is expected they will remain so until September, unless they throw in boys, who have not yet been used extensively. The Germans prodigally used storm troops, therefore their losses are doubly serious.—United Service.

ADVANCE CONTINUES SLOWLY NO CONFIRMATION OF BRITISH SENSATIONAL GAIN. Received July 20, 7.40 p.m. [ Washington, July 25. Official despatches from the American front state that the advance continues slowlj and that the strengthening of the German resistance is noted. There is no confirmation of the report from London that the British have made a sensational gain, though it is known r they are pressing hard towards Fismes. [ The Italian Embassy believes that the Germans controlling the army intend to deliver another smash against Italy, in order to bolster up Austrian prestige.— Press Assoc.

OFFICIAL REPORTS. ENEMY PRESSED FURTHER BACK. London, July 25. Sir Douglas Haig reports: Early in the night the enemy entered one of our posts southward of Villers-Bretonneuj.'. An immediate counter-attack ejected him. We repulsed a raiding party northward of the Somme. We slightly advanced our lino during the night southward of Rossignol wood, in the Hebuternc sector. An American official report states: Between the Ourcq and the Marne local combats resulted iu further forcing back the enemy's lines. The enemy .'s positions north-west of Jaulgonne have been penetrated to a depth of from one to two miles.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. A French communique states: The night was characterised by great artillery fire between the Marne and the Aisne in Bois de Corten and B'ois de Roi. The Germans counter-attacked at il oV-lock last evening in the region of Vrigny. Our troops smashed all assaults, and maintained their positions intact. The remainder of the front was uneventful.—Press Assoc. WHAT THE GERMANS SAY.

London, July 25. A wireless German official message states: The French advanced as far as the Avro near Mailly, but our counterthrust restored the situation.

General von Boehm defeated repeated thrusts between the Aisne and the Marne. The French and Americans are suffering heavy losses. The enemy five times vainly stormed our lines between Noyant and Hartennes, and temporarily gained ground on both sides of Ville"Montoire, which we recaptured. We smashed attacks northward of the Ourcq. Tanks piercing our lines were shot to pieces.

A counter-thrust drove- %k enemy back from a height north-eastward of Roeourt and from Chaliet Wood. The enemy four times vainly attacked between the Marne and the Ardre. We repulsed the French and British northward of the Ardre, after a desperate Istruggle.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.