AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 August 1918, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

GODDSTBIN UNMOVED. Sydney, August 33. Throughout to-day's evidence at the T.W.W. Commission, Goldstein maintained the falsity of the accusations agaiiwt tne ipolioe.—Auft.-N.Z. Cable As-

FRENCH PROGRESS | CONTINUED.

DESTRUCTIVE AIR RAIDS. 43 TO'XS OF EXPLOSIVES USED.

SOUTH BANKS OF OISE AND AILETTE HELD.

Received August 25, 5.5 p.m. London, August 24. A French communique states: —Between the Matz and H\e Oise there were violent artillery actions. We crossed the Ailette during the day in the Urieourt region. Our progress between the Ailette and tlio Ai:;nc was continued east of Bagneus and west of Cerey-nu-Mont It was quiet elsewhere.

Much aeroplaning took place yesterday, owing to the favorable weather. Numerous reconnaissances were made far into the enemy's lines. We felled 14 aeroplanes. Our bombers, in the daytime, dropped 18 tons on troops and convoy;, and oiii activity was no; relaxed at. night, when ?6 toiw more were dropped on the stations at Laon and Ham, causing fires.

An expedition of great force attacked the important Mars-la-Tour aerodrome, The first bombs caused fires at the hangars and huts and, aided by the light of the flames, the remaining aeroplanes bombed other hangars, lints, personnel, and numerous machines on the ground. Altogether 43 tons of explosives were employed yesterday.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter.

Received August 25, 5.5 p.m.

London, August 23,

A French communique states:-~During the night there was a violent bombardment between Beauvraignes and the Oise, notably at Le Plemont, Paspellehiry and Ourchamps. We held the" southern banks of the Oise and the Ailette from Semponv as far as the railway from Conrey-le-Chateau to the eastward of Selena. We carried our line forward to the outskirts of Guny and the Font Saint March Tho night elsewhere was calm.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable As3oe. and Reuter. Received Ausnist 2fi. 12.20 a.m.

London, August 24,

A French communique states:—ln the region of Lassigny and between the Oise and tlis Aisne, the night was marked by f<( ; rly active ajtillerying.

Our detachments penetrated severs? points of the enemy trenches in Lorraine and brought taiSk prisoners.

The night was quies on the rest of the front.

Received August 2G, 2.5 a,m. London, Aug. 25, 2.45 am,

A French communique states: Between the Ailette and the Aisne we progressed south of Ccrcy-au-Mont and took prisoners.

The Americans, west of Eismes, carried their line to the Soissons-Rheims Road, on a front of eight hundred met ( res. It is quiet elsewhere.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter.

ENEMY'S FRONT BROKEN

EAST OP THE OISE. ENEMY MAKING GENERAL RETREAT.

Received Aug. 25, 5.5 p.m. 'Paris, Aug. 24.

General Jlangin continues to make important progress eastward of the Oise. We outflanked enemy positions on the Aisno and Vasle. General Mangin's army is now posted on the Chentin des Dames reefs.

The enemy is carrying out a general retreat.

General Debeney, in an order of the day to the First Army, says: "The battle is won. Side by side with the British we have broken the enemy front and liberated to a depth of twenty-five kilometres the sacred, beloved French soil. We have beaten sixteen German divisions, taken 10,000 prisoners, and captured 220 guns and an enormous quantity of material."—Press Assoc.

CHEMIN DES DOOMED

ENEMY'S RETREAT RAPID. NEW ZEALANDERS CLEVERLY TRAP GERMANS. Received August 25, 11.5 p.m. London, August 24. Correspondents, describing the terrific fighting at Dovecote, state that once our line swung back some hundreds of yards, but the guns pounded away, the Germans being too exhausted to exploit or keep their gains. One British unit loosed off 20,000 rounds. There was terrible slaughter. The correspondents counted four hundred bodies iu one group. Correspondents describe the New Zealanders trapping the German counterattack. They, apparently, made no attempt to stop the enemy until he had gone, too far to withdraw. Then suddenly all the machine guns put down an impassable barrier in the German rear, and moved it slowly forward. When the Germans realised the position, those who had not been killed or wounded ran forward crying "Kamerad!" Nearly three hundred unwounded prisoners were captured.

The Daily Telegraph's Paris correspondent states that the enemy's retreat on the French front is rapid. A great number of trains are seen hurrying northward. The Germans are bound to lose the Chemin des Dames, in consequence 'V the Allies' gradual, but persistent, pressure. In fact, General Mangin' has a good chance of turning the whole of the Chemin des Dames positions.

NOYON BEING EVACUATED,

:i TOWNS AND VILLAGES TAKEN.. Received August 25, 5.5 p.m. Paris, August 23. During four days, Generals Mangin's and Humbert's armies have captured 52 towns and villages. The Germans are evacuating Noyon.— Australian Cable Assoc.

FRENCH CROSS THE AILETTE. Received August 25, 11.5 p.m. Paris, August 2*. French patrols are across the Ailette iwer at-some poiate,—-Pref

ENEMY DEMORALISED.

MARKED CONFUSION IN BOTH ARMIES

Received Aug. 25, 11.5 p.m. London, Aug. 24. Mr. Percival Phillips continues: There is marked confusion in the forward organisation of both the German armies. Troops have been flung in without definite orders or objectives, while the battalions which have been split into fragments by shellfire have drifted in different directions, hindering, instead of helping, the broken units they have been sent to relieve. They have already lost an unusually large proportion of officers, and are still losing guns. Altogether, an air of incipient demoralisation pervades the enemv.—Press Assoc.

SLIGHT ADVANCE AT ROYE,

HEAVY ENEMY CASUALTIES. Received August 25, 5.5 p.m. London, August 24. The Australian Press Association Press Association learns that there is little to report this morning, the fluid nature of the fighting making it difficult to tell how operations are proceeding. Late last night our line in the Roye sector showed certain slight advances—contrary to yesterday's German communiques.

The British Third Army's attack begoii on the 21st with complete success, all objectives being taken. The Germans, instead of defending the front positions, retired, losing 3000 prisoners. The enemy's casualties in killed and wounded were far heavier still, whereas our total casualties were fewer than our prisoners. —Australian Cable Association.

SUCCESSFUL BRITISH ATTACKS.

ON OVER 30-MILE FRONT.

GROUND GAINED ON ANCRE. Received August 25, 5.5 p.m. London, August 24, 12.5 a.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports: During the day we pressed our attacks vigorously and successfully on more than a thirtymile front from Lihons to Mercatel. The English, Scottish and Australians attacked south of the Somme at 4.45 this morning. We captured Herleville, Chuignes and Chuignolles; also the woods between the Tillages, and between Chuignolles and the river. During our advance of over two miles we killed great numbers and prisonered many. Ten minutes later the English and Scottish Guards attacked on the left of the battlefront, and stormed Gommecourt, Ervillers, Hamlineourt, Boyelles, Boiry and Becquerelle. We prisonered many. During the remainder of the day we progressed eastward of these villages. Meanwhile, in the right and centre of the battlefront, the English and Welsh attacked positions on the east bank of the Anere, from south-east of Albert to the neighborhood of Grandcourt, gaining ground after heavy fighting. We beat off a counter-attack south of Grandcourt.

About 11 in the morning the English attacked on the left centre, along the railway north of Grandcourt, and captured Achiet le Grand, Biboueourt and the ridge overlooking Irles. We continued bur attacks during the afternoon, taking several thousand prisoners. During the day heavy casualties were inflicted on the enemy. Sir Douglas Haig's aviation report states: We had a busy and successful day on the 22nd. Our airmen constantly harassed the enemy. We ,dropped twenty-five tons of bombs, attacked the Condecourt aerodrome.with good effect; also many dumps, stations, bridges and the Bruges docks. We destroyed 20 enemy aeroplanes and drove down four uncontrollable. Three British machines are missing.

Our night bombers dropped nineteen tons on selected targets, including the railway junctions at Valenciennes, Somain, Douai and Cambrai, All our machines returned.—Aus and N.Z. Cable Association and Beuter. Progress on Albert Sector ...

THE GERMAN VERSIrJN.

REVERSES ADMITTED. Received Aug. 25, 5.5 p.m. London, Aug. 24. Wireless German official: The British attack north of the Ancre, which was begun on the 21st, was continued with full force, and extended north of Albert as far as the Albert-Somme sector, out collapsed. We forestalled the enemy assault and attacked the enemy between Moyenneville and Miraumont "and threw him back, in places for two kilometres. We repulsed attacks from Puissieux, Beaumont, Hamel, and Albert, The enemy crossed the Albert-Bray road. Our counter-attack threw him back. We have withdrawn our troops behind the Ailette river. Our troops on the left on the west bank retired before strong attacks between Monicamp and Pont St. Mard.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter.

Received August 26, 2.5 a.m,

London, August 24. Wireless German official: Our advanced troops, in accordance with orders, withdrew lighting on the Groisellcs-St. Leger line. Renewed enemy assaults gained ground in the direction of Mory. The enemy pressed back our lines towards Beliagnies and Pys, but were brought to a standstill by our reserves. Four attacks on both sides of Miraumont were shattered. The enemy gained a footing on the east bank of the Ancre, eastward of Hamel. His" attacks from Albert broke down eastward of the town. For the purpose of joining our line near Pys we removed our lines at Miraumont to eastward of Albert from the Ancre.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter.

A German evening official report states: English attacks south-east of Arras and against Bapaume failed. The enemy gained ground east of Thiepval. Repeated English attacks from eastward ofAlbert to the Somme broke down. French attacks between the Ailette and the Aisne were repulsed.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter.

BRITISH PRESSING HARD.

ALLOWING GERMANS NO.RESPITE. j GREAT PROGRESS EVERYWHERE. BRITISH ASTRIDE THE THIEPVAL RIDGE. NEW ZEALANDESS' BRILLIANT WORK. ADVANCE INTO OUTSKIRTS OF BAPAUME.

Received Aug. 2G, 12.30 a.m. London, Aug. 2a. Sir Douglas Haig reports: There nas been continuous fighting on the battlefront north, of the Somme since the early morning, we pressing the enemy hard everywhere and allowing him no respite. We progressed on the whole 'front on which we are attacking, despite the. arrival of considerable Hostile reinforcements.

Numbers of prisoners and quantities of material of every description have fallen into our hands.

The Australians, shortly after midnight, attacking along the north bank of the Somme, captured Bray, on the Somme, and secured « number of prisoners Continuing their advance with great skill and initiative, they carried the enemy's positions in this neighborhood. On their left the London East County troops further progressed at night along the high ground south-east of Albert, prisonering Bevcral hundred. On the rigfht centre the Welsh and North Country troops advanced over the old iSomma 1910 battlefield about La Bcissolle, Ovillers, Mouquet farm, Tbiepval, and Grandcourt. We captured all these strongly-defended localities in face of determined resistance, prisonering over a thousand.

Our troops are again astride the Thie-p----val ridge, advancing eastwards on the leet centre. The East Lancaslhircs were engaged all day long about Miraumont, where tho enemy held out with great stubbornness until the village was gradually outflanked by our advancing coiumns.

Nortllvwards of the village the New Zealand division, in the centre attack, struck in the direction of Bapauine, advancing with irresistible dash and determination. They carried the defences of Loupart Wood, and, pressing forward with great gallantry, they captured Grevillers and Biefviller3, and reached the Avesnes des Bapauine, on the outskirts of Bapauine. On the flank of this attack the English took possession of Irles, and advanced in the direction of Sapiegnies, overcoming strong resistance at Irles and eastward of Bihucourt.

■ On the left of the oattle-frotit, English and Scottish divisions and Guards are fighting on the front Neuville-Vita.sse, and have captured St. Leger, Henin-sur-Cojoul, and the hill eastward of the latter. The captures have not yet been estimated. On the remainder of the British, front successful local actions occurred north of the Scarpc. We captured a section of the German front line north-east of Fampoux and north of La Bassee canal. We captured the old British line east and northeast of Giveachy, and progressed into the German positions. We secured all our objectives. Our patrols occupied Neuf Berquinat night time, where a number of German deaf! ware found. We advanced our line during the morning a mile on the front northWrd of Bailleul. Our artillery crushed an enemy counter-attack.

SUCCESSFUL RAIDS IN GERMANY.

ENEMY BATTERIES SILENCED. • . Received August 25, 11.5 p.mLondon, August 24. The Air Ministry reports: 'We dropped eight tons of bombs on Thursday night on aerodromes at Folpersweiler, setting fire to several large sheds and nangars. We attacked the chemical works at Saarbracken, with excellent results, fires and explosions being caused! We bombed,, on Friday, the aerodrome at Buhl and the), railway junction at Treves, several bursts being observed, at the station and on the railway. All our machines returned. Despite thunderstorms, we last night i-aided the aerodrome and railway station at Ehrange, and caused and considerable to the latter. Sir Douglas 'Haig's aviation report states:—Our low-fliers constantly ma-chine-gunned and bombed the German infantry, waggons, and guns, throwing them into contusion; also, in co-operation with the tanks, silenced enemy batteries which were' impeding our advance. We raided tlfff aerodrome at Cantin and set on fire several hangars-—-Press Assoc.

PROGRESS ON ALBERT SECTOR.

14,000 PRISONERS IN THREE DA\S.

SUCCESS NORTH OF LA BASSEE CANAL.

i Received August 25, 5.5 p.m. ! London, August 24, 1.15 p-.ni. Sir Douglas Haig reports: Wo progressed on the Albert sector during the night, taking prisoners. - Our attack was resumed early in the morning. Since the morning of. August 2 1 , in the three days' fighting, we have taken 14,000 prisoners and a number of guns. We carried out a successful local operation north-west of Neuf Berqum, andrepulsed, after sharp fighting, local attacks at night-time to the north of Bailleul, sotith of Locre, and north of Remimel. Fighting took place to our advantage this morning north of the La Bassee Canal, in the Givenchy sector Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter.

BRAY CAPTURED.

... THIEPVAL SURROUNDED. '" GERMANS PROTECTING BAPAUME. Received August 25, 5.5 p.m. London, Aug. 24. Reuter's correspondent at British headquarters says: 1 This morning we captured Bray, which is an important position; also Orvillers. We have surrounded Thiepval. The Australians yesterday made a fine advance over the old Somme district, taking 2000 prisoners from ten regiments.

The Germans are rushing up stroug local reserves to oppose the British approach to Bapaumo. Strong opposition was encountered at Bihoucouvt, where the enemy holds a big sugar factory and redoubt beyond Comiecourt. Our patrols were seen as far forward as Mory.—Reuter.