WESTERN FRONT.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 July 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

ENEMY RETREAT CONTINUED, REARGUARDS RESISTING. OURCQ LINES ABANDONED.

London, July 29. The enemy retreat continues all along the line of the Ourcq. The French are now on the north bank, and further to the east have secured practically the whole road between Rlieims and Dormans.

Tlio enemy rearguards are resisting very strongly, especially in the very wooded country between the Ardre and Samoigne, a tributary of the Marne. So far they have succeeded in checking, but not stopping, the advance. The French and Americans between Fere-en-Tarde-nois and the source of the Ourcq are pressing on closely and vigorously. Generally speaking, the advance between noon on Sunday and Sunday night on a 20-mile front is two or three miles in depth. Th 6 enemy lias now abandoned his lines along the Ourcq, where it was thought he might make a staid. There is little doubt now that he will take up a line behind the Vesle, occupying a straight line from Soissons to Rlieims, which is probably well entrenched and with strong rear communications. All the villages between Soissons and Bazoches are on fire. The enemy is burning them as a preliminary to a further retreat.

The enemy's new line will to some extent threaten Rheims from the northern outskirts.

There has been heavy fighting in the neighborhood of Buzancy (south of Soissons).

Tho enemy retirement is being made in good order, as is emphasised by our only taking 100 prisoners and capturing four guns.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. Washington, July 29.

The Germans are resisting violently north of the Ourcq and seeking to recross the river—Ana. N.Z. Cable Assoc. London, July 251. A correspondent at American headquarters says that the Germans made a desperate resistance on the Villeneuve plateau, which was swept by gunfire after the French had driven off the defenders. Eventually our batteries turned the balance of gun-power, and, with the plateau won, we had an ideal platform which made the enemy's Ourcq line intolerable. The French and Americans were even able to advanc9 on the open slopes at a rate hitherto impossible through the woods.

Mounted troops are proving useful, but armored cars and light tanks are the ideal weapons for clearing out machinegun nests both on the ground and in the trees. Gun platforms in the trees served the enemy admirably in the forest country. American marksmen made a sport of bringing them, down.—-Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. A French communique states: North of the Marne there wa9 no change at night. We took 400 prisoners here yes-terday.—-Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

THE NEXT GERMAN STAND. DENSE WOODS FAVOR GERMANS. London, July 29. Renter's corespondent at American headquarters, telegraphing on the afternoon of the 28th, says: Thanks to the dense woods the enemy was able to delay our advancing armies and hold up thousands with nests of machine-guns, hence the enemy's losses are infinitesimal compared with the time gained, and lie lias saved most of the guns, although he has been obliged to destroy most of the ammunition.

The abandonment of the Marne, however, which the enemy held as long as possible, in order to keep the important railway from Epernay to Chateau Thierry under observation, will considerably accentuate our progress; indeed, the pace has already quickened. It is already certain that the enemy will not stand on the Ourcq, but, doubtless, when we reach his prepared positions. we shall find him in great strength.

What the Germans have chiefly suffered from us is the immense set-back to their plans, from which possibly they will be unable to recover before the end of the campaign season. —Reuter.

GERMAN ATTACK AT RHEIMS. London, July 29. The Germans have started a new battle east of Rheims, in the neighborhood of Mont-Sans-Nom. Fighting continues.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. PURSUIT OF ENEMY CONTINUES. New York, July 20. General Pershing reports: North of the Mane the pursuit of the Germans continues. The enemy are now acrosß the Ourcq. The French and Americans captured the villages of Sergy and Ronelieres.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Asset

AUSTRALIANS' SURPRISE ATTACK. London, July 29. The United Press correspondent says that (lie Australians made a. surprise attack at midnight, penetnafting two lines of trenches astride the Bray-Corbie road to a depth of 400 yards and secured additional room on top of the ridge.— United Press.

RHEIMS-DORMANS ROAD CAPTURED New York, July 29. The German retreat continues. The enemy are burning villages and stubbornly resisting. The Rheims-Dormans road iias been captured. —Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

SUCCESSFUL OPERATIONS. London, July 2'.). Sir Dou«las Haig reports: The Australians in the Ualancourt sector captured two lines of trenches on a twomiles front astride the Bray-Corbie road. The enemy casualties were heavy, ours were light. The Canadians made two successful raids in tfie neighborhood of Gavrelle.— Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Renter. New York, July 20. The Australians captured two lines of trenches on a two-mile front cast of Amiens, taking 100 Aus. KJZ. Cable Assoc.

VIOLENT FIGHTING,

ON THE WHOLE FRONT. ENEMY DISPUTING EVERY FOOT. Received July 30, 10.40 p.m.

London, July 30, 2 a.m. A French communique states:—During the day there was very violent fighting on tilie whole front north of the Mftme. The enemy, whose resistance strongly increased, disputed every foot of ground and attempted to drive us back by numerous counter-attacks. We repulsed all assaults, and made further advance on the outskirts of the village of Bu^ancy. The Scottish captured the park and chateau and maintained their positions, despite repeated German assaults. East of Plessehulu and Mueichy-le-Cha-teau, we passed the Chateau Thierry Road and captured Grandrozoy and Cugny, also thp Butte-de-C'halmont. after a brilliant action. North of Fere-en-Tardenoas, we extended our gains and entered Sergy- Further south, Rkmeheres fell into our hands. On the right we passed the DonnansRheims Rood, south of Villers Igron. We gained ground west of Bligny and St. Euphraise. The German attack in the Champagne region, south of Mount Sanson, failed. A German official report states:— There i a severe fighting beyond the Ourcq. Sergy, after changing hands four times, ,remains in ours.

FOLLOWING THE ARTILLERY. FRENCH PROCEEDING CAUTIOUSLY. Received July 30, 9.50 p.m.

London," July 29. A correspondent at the French front states that the infantry, cavalry, and tanks on Sunday followed up the artillery's destructive work and cleared the enemy out of Fere-en-Tardenois, towards the north-east, after hand-to-hand encounters. The enemy's destruction of bridges over the Ourcq has not greatly delayed the French, who forded the shallow stream at several points. The French are proceeding cautiously and not wasting men. Cavalry located the Germans at the Bois Meuniere, where ?t is anticipated thev will resist strongly—Pres., Assoc-

VILLAGES BURNING. HEAVY FIGHTING RAGING. Received July 30, 11 p.m. London, July 29, 8 p.m. The latest message states '-hat villages eight miles behind the lines iv..; .burning, and that heavy .fighting is racing. Sergy was taken and re-taken four times, and is now in French hands. The Fourth Prussian Guards attacked the Americans south of Sergy. The .Americans stopped the assarts <kad, with heavy losses.

The French surrounded Buzancy, but were unable to hold it. —Times Service. AVIATION REPORT. Received July 30, 8.50 p.m. London, <ftily 20. Sir Douglas Haig'9 aviation report states:—Dcspdta low clouds on the 28th, we dropped 10 tons of bombs on dumps', railway stations, and billets at Douai, Armentieres, Bapaume, and Ohulnes. We brought down nine aeroplanes. Four British are missing. We bombed, at night, the Bapaume active batteries north of the Somme. All our machines returned.—Aus.-N.Z. Oable Assoc. and Reuter.

MINOR OPERATIONS. Received July 30, 7.30 p.m. London, July 29. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—ln a successful minor operation, on the night of the 28th, in the Morzancourt sector, we prisonered many and gained all our objectives. Wo beait oflf three counterattacks, inflicting losses.—Aus.-N.Z. Oable Assoc. and Reuter.

GERMAN OFFICIAL. Received July 30, 10.25 p.m. London, July 29. A wireless German official message states:—We evacuated, on the night of tno 2Sith and 27th July, the fighting stone between and the Ardrc, and shifted our defence to the region: of Fere-en-Tardenois and Ville-en-Tarde-nois unobserved by the oneim*. Our fore-field guards, after fulfilling their 'ask, fell back before strong enemy attacks, south-east of Fere-en-Tardenois. Violent combats ensued, wherein wo repulsed the enemy,—Press Assoc. Received July 30, 8.50 p.m. London, July 29. A wireless German message reports:— Jn the evening, severe attacks on our new positions west of Fere-en-Tardenois failed sanguinarily.—Aus.-N.Z. Press Assoc. and Reuter.

NEW ZEALAND SECTOR. CAPTURE OP IMPORTANT HEIGHT. GALLANT EXPLOIT OP OTAGO MEN.

'Prom Captain Malcolm Ross, Official War Correspondent with the New Zealand Forces in the Field.) By Cable, July 24. This evening, in broad daylight, by an attack that gave them tho high ground in front of Rossignol Wood, the New Kealanders put tho coping- 'stone upoE the arc that they have gradually been extending into enemy area since they re-entered the line. The attack was carried out by a small force of Otago men, who, after a short trench-mortar bombardment,' went over the top with (jreat dash and captured their objectives louth-oast of that famous shattered wood. The attack had been planned for Hid day before, but torrential rains caused it to bo deferred. This afterowi the weather cleared, and soon after

(lie attack l.ad finished the sun shone brilliantly. The ground gained denies observation to tlie enemy on an important part of the Jim;. Our casualties in the attack were very light, but 50 of the enemy were killed, many were wounded and three prisoners and five machine-guns were captured. The heavy artillery cooperated on the flanks. Tlie enemy's retaliatory bombardment was heavy, especially on Rossignol Wood, which was temporarily turned into a smoking inferno; 'but, fortunately, it was ineffective. After the successful capture of this ground, some of our men 'began to wove forward to further exploit the wccc=s, hut we remained content with the gains, as planned, The recent fighting has been largely a soldier's battle, but all the attacks were well planned, and the officers and men acquitted themselves with great credit. The initiative* and patrol work that had' made the men familiar with the ground 'have been largely responsible for the success, but at the (back of it all is the high moral of our men, which has been and is simply splendid. Tluring the operations, a sergeant who' had recently, ir. the vicinity of Lassigny Farm, gained the D.C.M- and a bar to' the same medal, had his hand Mown off and was otherwise badly wounded. His company commander and another man, who were with him, carried him in.

Salmond, of the Wellington Regiment, already referred teas killed while patrolling at Rossignol Wood early inithese operations, was with another officer ahd a corporal when they were suddenly met with a shower of honibs. One of the officers was wounded, and the corporal picked him up and carried him down the sap to safety, while the fighting continued. Salmond, m the meantime, bravely rushed the post singlehanded, and was seen to he hit by two bombs. Only his steel helmet was found afterwards, so evidently the enemy carried his 'body away with a view to getting his identification and any papers lie might have on ljjm. ENEMY MJTTLELY COUNTERATTACK.

C?" 5, ! r ! july 26. The enemy ye sterday counter-attacked determinedly with a view to regaining ground won the day before by the New Zealanders in front of Rossignol Wood. About 4 a.m. a bombing attack Was repulsed. Between 6 and 7in the evening the enemy came on in considerable pilmbers, making three determined attacks along the communication trenches leading to our new liile. Two attacks on the left wore easily repulsed. On the right the enemy succeeded in forcing his way up to one of our jjosts, owing to the New Zealanders' supply oif bombs having been blown up l>y a .bursting shell- Some men from this post hod gone back for more foomlbs. Here the enemy penetrated to a depth of 300 yards. He was immediately counterattacked m front and on both flanks. Some of his men wgre cut off 'by our barrage, and a considerable number were killed and 30 prisoners were taken. A macbane-gun was captured, and our line was promptly re-established. Furthr west the enemy made still another attempt, but was driven back by rifle fire r.nd Lewis-gun fire, with many casualties Altogether, it was a good day fov t'io Otago men and'a disastrous one for tlic enemy, who not only gained no ground, but met with heavy loßsea in killed, wounded and prisoners. Our casualties are only some 25 all told.

EULOGY BY ARMY COMMANDER. That tiliis initiative and tbes# efforts are fully appreciated is apparent from ft letter sent by tlie Amy Commander to the New Zealand Force, published in toniglut's Routine Orders. It runs as fellows:—"I would ask you to convey to the 0.0.C., New Zealand troops, my sincere appreciation of the operations that have led to the evacuation of Roßsignol Wood and the adjoining treach«s by tiho enemy. These operations, lasting over several days, have reduced the extent frf our line and placed the enemy in an extremely difficult position. That this result has been obtained without cheek and with few casualties isjlue to persistent enterprise on the part of all ranks, and to thoughtful preparation and skilful leading on the part of the commanders. The New Zeailanders are to be warmly oongrrtutoted on their spirit and initiative, and I desire tihat all raiflta be informed of these few words of commendation and • gratitude." This letter, written by an Army Commander who has had much experience 'jrith some famous division®, is greatly appreciated'by all concerned.

THE PRELIMINARY OPERATIONS. Details of the work of the Rifle Brigade in the preliminary operations also show a fine spirit on the part of the officers, non-coms., and men. One man, who was badly wounded in a counter-attack, was captured by the enemy and taken into a dug-out, where there were several Germans, including some of their wound' ed. He resolutely refused to give any further information than be was com", pelled by the rule 3 of War to givenamely, "that he belonged to the New Zealand Rifle Brigade. This news surprised the Germtina. 'for on learning that it was the New Zealanders who were attacking they at once beat_ a precipitate retreat, leaving the wounded man in the dug-out. Weak from his severe wound and losssof blood, ihe made several attempts to the steps ta the dug-out, but e&ch time he fainted. Later, he discovered" some black bread and a bottle of coffee. 1 ' This refreshed him, and eventually; ie steps and across tlie ijntcrveniDg on one elbow. and one lfflee to hJS:'bwii trench, whicltjie reached 30 hours He was give valuable informfe® as to certain trenches, which another^unit was thife enabled to capture later.

REPDirGTOK'S ESTlMAfpfe OP GERMAN LoS§B§. London, July 29. Colonel Repington eays: Germany in. January had three million men in. the west and power of getting 1J million more during 1918. I reckon the German casualties, including Sick, during 1918 thus far at one million, of whom 700,000 are a permanent loss. In four months the Germans have spent the value of two annual contingents. Prince Rupprecht has only 23 divisions of storm troops intact, and the softness of the rest has become remarkable. It is most likely that the Germans will make ft determined effort to restore the situation. We must expect an attack all along the whole front.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.