GERMANS IN FULL RETREAT.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 August 1918, Page 5

GERMANS IN FULL RETREAT.

To the Aisne, Forced to Abandon Their Positions. Enemy Shortening His Lines. Received August 7, 1.50 a.m. London, August 5. The United Pres3 correspondent states that the Germans are now in full retreat to the Aisne. They were forced to abandon their positions on the AvreAncre and near Givenchy. Besides the failure of their summer campaign, there is the steady disappearance of reserves. The Germans are equalled, if not outnumbered, by the eager Alied forces, weekly increased by tens of thousands of absolutely* fit Americans. Hindenburg-and Ludendorff are. seeking to re-arrange the Western front and to shorten their line, here and there adopting a defensive attitude behind rivers and other natural barriers. They have one chosen spot where they will collect all their available, remnants for one last try for a decision. Meanwhile the oppressive shadow of defeat hovers over their army. Prisoners admit that the spirit of hopelessness is spreading. The following letter from a soldier on the Marne to a friend newly arrived on the British front from Germany fairly represents the sentiment among a large part of the enemy:—"You will be in the thick of things. Now, shirk all you can. We are only fighting for the bigwig 3. Now we are in the Marne fighting. We did not get far. Our regiment was nearly wiped out. This war is becoming the biggest massacre there ever was. Germany is slowly crumbling to pieces." There are indications that Germany is making desperate efforts to coerce Austria to help in France, soliciting neutral labor and assistance from Austria, Bulgaria, Turkey, and Russia, with a view to freeing German workmen for military duty. German prisoners frankly say they do not believe it possible for Germany to continue the offensive. Entente opinions at the front go in the direction of a fifth year of the war •which ought to see the finish. Eeceiveid 7, I£6 a.m. Uondbn, August 6. Reulter'iS correspondent at BrStSsh headquarters, writing on the evening of the sth, states that the new situation on the Ancre will presently settle down. The enemy front line across the Ancre. now skirts the high ground North of iDernaeourt, thence eastward to MeauWe, so two aides face one another across a< wide deep valley with open observation rendering infantry operations difficult - and costly. There is evidence of an ebbing German,morale and the concealment and misrepresentation. Prisoners are unanimous in discrediting (the statements of Ludendorff. It is generally agreed that 60,000 prisoners and 800 gun 3 have been captured Since the 12th July. Received August 7, 2 a.m. London, August C. Reuter's correspondent at French headquarters, writing on the afternoon of the 15th, says the enemy's artillery fire was very heavy on the whole line of the Vesle, and the Germans are opposing with a very vigorous resistance. Nevertheless French patrols have crossed the river at several points between Sermoise and Fismes, where the Americans crossed, and between Fismes and Metizon. The Germans on the north bank are abundantly supplied with machine guns. Between Muizon and Rheims, where we are firmly established on the south bank, there has been the hardest fighting. Hot encounters occurred at Vautes Farm, near Muizon, for the passage of the river, After it was captured, the Germans sent across two detachments to re-take it, both being repulsed after a severe fight. West of the Aisne, the enemy stubbornly resisted our passage of the river. On the Avre, the French occupied the whole line of wooded hills overlooking a steep river. The valley branches to Mesnil and Saint Georges. Hard fighting is in progress for Hargicourt, on the left bank ,where the Germans are- holding the railway station. The enemy is still in Morisel.