WESTERN FRONT.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 September 1918, Page 4

WESTERN FRONT.

FRENCH PROGRESS CONTINUED. Successful American Adva*^ Received Sept. 7, 5.5 p.m. . „ London, Sept. C. A French communique states: North of the Ailette we reached the outskirts of bamceny and the plateau north of Landneourt. South of the Ailette we reached the Vauxillon ravine'. On the vesle front the Americans reached the outskirts of Villiers-en-Praypes, on the north-eastern slopes of Revillon, and occupied Glennes.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc and Reuter. THE ENEMY'S RETREAT. Will He Reach His Old Line? The Next Few Days Will Decide. Received Sept. 7, C.5 p.m. London, Sept. C. Router's correspondent at French headquarters states that at night the enemy was retiring on the line of La Fere (on the left of the Oise), Baris, the lower forest of Coucy, the forest of St. Gobain, and was preparing to flood the country. General Mangin occupied Moyenne, a thousand yards beyond Coucy. Advancing to Lall'aux and the edge of the valley, he traversed the Soissons-Leton railway. The Germans are retreating on the whole of the French battlefront. Their immediate objective is from St. Quentin, across the valley of the Oise, around the forest of Gobain to Laffaus), then past Malmaison to the Chemin des Dames, then from Juvigny across the Aisne to Berry-au-Bac, south-east to Rheiins, through the hill country which has hitherto proved impervious to all assaults. The enemy has to-day from thirty to forty divisions in reserve, but his armies are being consumed at the rate of a division per day. The question is whether the Allies will allow him to reach his old line, except in disorder, and in such a condition that he cannot stay there. The next few days will decide.— Reuter. ENEMY DEFENDING CAMBRAI. Lens A Mass of Ruins. Germans Hold the Bulk. Received Sept. 7, 5,5 p.m. London, Sept. 6. Mr. Phillips writes: The fighting ceased almost as abruptly as it began, alqng the new front of the Nord Canal there being only local conflicts. The Germans have concentrated guns heavily on boteh aides of Cambrai. We made no effort to attack Moeuvres. There is a great deal of work to be done, as new depots must be built and roads and railways require reconstructing. It is incorrect to say that Lens has fallen. The German outposts have withdrawn to some extent, but the enemy hold the bulk of the ruins, though we aro established in the town on the north, west, and south-west. The Germans live underground and enter the city by tunnels. Lens is a complete rain, even the cathedral site being unidentifiable.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. ■ GERMAN STRENGTH AND j LOSSES Casualties Estimated at 200,000. Received S<*pt. 7, 5.5 p.m. London, Sept. 0. Tlio Daily Chronicle's Paris correspondent states that out of a total army of 245 divisions Germany has 200 on the west front. Since March, Germany has lost the equivalent of 50 divisions, or equivalent' to all the forces brought from Russia. A conservative estimate of German casualties since March 23 is 1,200,000, whereof 60 per cent, may be recuperable, three in six months, leaving [a permanent loss of half a. million.—Aus. IN.Z.: C&bw-Aasoe.