THE MARNE BATTLE.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 August 1918, Page 5

THE MARNE BATTLE.

! DECIDED BY BRITISH SUCCESS. New York, August 7. The Paris correspondent of the New York World interviewed General Mangin, who said tlio crux of the Marnc battle was tile fight to obtain possession of the crest in the Grand Rozoy sector, which dominated the German lines nortli of the Ourcij, permitting the French to observe all that was happening behind the German lines. The position similarly commanded a view of the French lines. The Germans, realising the importance of the position, made the most determined attempt to hold it, but were forced out by British shock troops, who compelled the enemy's precipitate retirement. General Mengin regards the 'British victory as the most conclusive single engagement of the Marne 'battle, showing the Allies' superiority.—Aus. - N.Z. Gable Assoc. Paris, August 7General Mangin, speaking to correspondents, outlined the main features of the great battle and coneluded: "It can today be stated that the battle has been definitely won."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assoc.

NEW OFFENSIVE PREDICTED.

FLEET TO PARTICIPATE. Paris, August 7. M. Marcel Hutin says: "Proofs are araimulating that the Germans are suffering from the man-power crisis through W#es and overwork. Some authorities do not believe that Ludendorff will <be able to take the offensive until the arroie, are regrouped, hut my information is that ft desperate effort will he made to restore the moral and regain the Initiative by something bis; against the British, wit'i, the co-operaton of the German fleet."—Times.

BRITISH OFFICIAL REPORT.

ACTIVITY IN LYS SALIENT. London, August 7. Sir Douglas Haig reports: The English counter-attacked thi s morning in the sector south-westward of Morlancourt and regained all the more important positions lost yesterday. We secured all our objectives, took prisoner a nnmher of patrols, and advanced our line a short distance astride tiie Clarence River north of Bethune. We successfully raided a post northward of Vieux Berquin. Hostile enemy artillery is active eastward of Hobecq and in the Mcrville and Diokebuacli sectors. We repulsed an attempt to capture a post north-eastward of Morris. There is active hostile gas-shelling northward of Villers Bretotrmmx. The enemy's artillery is also active at Buequoy and northward of Bethune—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter. Received S, 2.50 p.m. London, Auguet 7A French communique states: In tha region of Montdidier we made local progress south of Framioourt and south-east of Mesnil. We repulsed an enemy attempt against La Fere and La Grange, and occupied the station of Cinysaltogue. We resulsed a local attack -south of Au-fwrive-iu the £suhiiiwy>'"