SURPRISING SPEED.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 September 1918, Page 5

SURPRISING SPEED.

Of the British and French.

A Cheering Outlook,

Received Sept. 8, 5.5 p.m.

London. Sept. 7. Mr. Philip (iibbs writes: Our patrols are creeping forward with surprising speed on the front at La, Eassee, the enemy going back faster than ever, It is certain they intended to hold Hill 03, which threatens Me;'„..ics, but the defence crumbled so quickly that we won the hill and progressed' far down the further side.

We are nearly approaching the positions held until the battle of Messines.

Mr. Perris telegraphs that the most remarkable thing in the changed situation is General Mangin's rapid progress on both sides of the Ailette. On the northern half of the sector we are practically back to the old front facing St. Imebain forest and across the Oise, which is enlarged by marches to the width of a. mile. It is like the moat of a prodigious strongiiold.

When vor. ."jgen has drawn back from the Chemin ues Dames, which cannot long be delayed, the old problem of the St. Quentin, Laon, Craonne fieldworks will recur, but the British success at Bullecourt and Queant shows this has none of its old terrors.

The Allies now have men enough, to challenge combats over great lengths of the front.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

EVIDENCE OF A FURTHER RETREAT.

Statements of German Prisoners. Received Sept. S, . : i.5 p.m. London, Sept. 7. The United Press correspondent states that clouds of smoke from the burning villages, and spurting flames from exploding ammunition dumps, can be seen along the stretch of country between the canal and the Hindenburg line, also that the lessening of shelling along tile canal is interpreted as meaning that the Germans are again accepting the necessity to move. Possibly they are already withdrawing for a stand behind the Hindenburg line. They threw such quantities of gas shelrs northward of the Sensee, including the Lens region, as to suggest they the stores rather than making an attempt to remove .hem. Officers taken prisoner express confidence in von Ludendorff. A battalion doctor of the 17th Division says Ludendorff is carrying out delaying tactics until the close' of the Allies' offensive. The doctor made a curious statement, that if _ie Allies reach the Rkjne they may Lave peace at their own price.—United Service. BELGIANS ATTACKED.

Lost Ground Reconguered. Franco-American Successes. Received Sept. S, 5.5 p.m. London, Sept. 7. A Belgian communique states: Enemy shock troops attacked, on a front of three kilometres, the positions which we captured on August 27 in the region of Langemarck. The enemy penetrated at certain points, but the Belgians immediately counter-attacked, and reconquered all the lost ground, except one post, after Bitter fighting. We inflicted sanguinary losses. An American official report states: North of the Vcsle we have taken Longueral, Merval, Clennes, Vieil, Arcy, Villers en Prayeres and Revillon. Our patrols are on the south bank of the Aisne Canal. A French communique states: On the whole front between the Somme and the Aisne the thrust of our troops has not slackened to-day, despite German efforts to stem our advance. We captured Ham and Chauny, east of the Canal du Nbrd. We reached the line Lauchy Forest— Villers St Christophe, eastwards of Ovilly and eastwards of Ham—Bronchy —Ville Serlve—Ugny le Gay—Virym— Moreuil Since yesterday our troops advanced in places to a depth of over ten kilometres. We occupied the lower forest of Coucy as far as Petit Barisis, where the enemy abandoned considerable war material and munition depots. To the right we hold the outskirts of Fresnes, Quiney Basse, the outskirts of Vauxaillon, Moray Farm and Laffaux. We reoccupied the old trenches on the whole front north of the Aisne. The Americans freshly progressed in the region of Villera en Prayeres and Revellon.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc.

FRENCH SMASH RESISTANCE. Rapid Progress Made. Numerous Positions Captured. fmtt . Received Sept. 8, 5.5 p.m. London, Sept. 7,1 p.m. A French communique states: From the Somme to the Oise we continued our pursuit all night long, smashing the enemy's local resistance, and keeping in close touch with his rearguards. We occupied Pithon, Sommettes, Haucourt, Dury and Ollezy. The last-named is five kilometres east of Ham. Farther south we hold Eugny. We reached the western outskirts of the Bois de Genlis. North of the Oise we entered Tergnier, east of which our line runs along the railway and canal north of the Ailette. The lower forest country is entirely ours, also Barisis, which we stormed, despite the enemy's obstinate resistance. North of Queaney Basse we passed the villages of Aulers and Basse le Saules. South of the Ailette Manteuill la Fosse, Fort Conde, and Conde-sur-Aisne are in our hands. There is no change north of the Vesle.—A. and If.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter.