THE WAR

Taranaki Daily News, 30 September 1918, Page 8

THE WAR

WESTERN FKONT.

TRANOO AMERICAN PUSH.

Average Advance of Seven Miles. Germans Completely Surprised. Is T ew York, Sept. 27, 'Mr James says: There is little doubt that Generals Eocli and Pershing surprised the German commander. The Germans expected an attack in the St. Mihiel sector and had reinforcements there. By 7 o'clock the first Hindenburg defence system was captured and by 9 o'clock the second line was taken. By noon the Americans had passed through the whole series of defence lines well ahead of schedule. Many of our troops had never been in a battle before and were elated beyond words at the initial success against one of the strongest enemy positions.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Mr James, writing from the west front, reports that the American Ist Army, under Major-General Liggett, attacked between tho Meuse and the Aisne on a 20-mile front and smashed through the Hindenburg line. Our line now runs through the Forges Forest and Xantillois to the Meuse!

The attack started at 5.30 in the morning after a three-hour?' intense artillery preparation. The brunt- of the attack in the centre fell on a corps composed of Kansas, Pennsylvania, and Missouri troops, who stormed Varcnnes Neuvil'y, Vauqnois and Cheppy in face of the most stubborn resistance by the Prussian Guard! Tanks aided brilliantly in the region of Varcnnes. Our aeroplanes held full supremacy throughout the advance. American troops are pressing forward beyond the old German defence lines.— Aus.-X.Z. Cable Assn. London, Sept- 27. An American communique, in addition to the particulars already reported, savs: The Ist Army penetrated He enemy lilies to an average depth of 7 mile?. Besides General LJcget.t's army other troops crossed the Forges Brook and captured the Bois-de-Forges and the towns of Bethineonrt, Septsarges, Dinnevoux, Gerconrt, and ifalancourt. in addition to the places already mentioned. The prisoners thus far reported are over 5000—Aus.-X.Z. Cable Assn. and Renter. Washington, Sept. 27. Ifr Baker, Secretary for War, wit--1 nes=cd the start of the American offensive west of Verdun. After the enemy bad been iboiwbarSsd with high explosives and gas, the tanks advanced, -smashing the wire entanglements and destroying machine-pin nests. The airmen, swooping over the enemy trenches, prevented him discovering what was impending. Already the Americans have captured Malancourt, Mountfoucon, Cuisy and other points. The German opposition is strengthening, and new divisions are arriving. A gas attack overwhelmed Vnuquois, where >JO miles of subterranean passages are known to exist. At first the town was flooded with gas clouds, and then surrounded by a circle of artillery fire.—Aiis-X.Z. Cable Assn. London, Sept. 27. Wireless* German official: In the Champagne and between the Argonno and tlii? Meuse French and . American attacks commenced on a wide front after eleven hours artillery fire- A break through was frustrated. The fight for our positions continues.—Aus.-X.Z. Cable Assn. A French communique savs: .This morning tho French and American armies, closely co-operating, attacked on both sides of tho Argonne. The operations are developing under satisfactory conditions. The advance of tho French troops west of the Argonne attained a maximum depth of six kilometres. The I battle continues. ; Might-bombers dropped 21 tons of bombs in the region of Laon, particuon the railway stations at Monteornet, Marie and Laon. Numerous fires and explosions upon targets were observed. Xew York, Sept,- 27. The Washington correspondent of the Xcw York Times says that the opinion of military officials here is that the keystone of the- great German defence arch on the west front is now under assault in the latest Franco-American offensive in the Champagne. The region selected by General Foeh for attack is considered by military experts to have the widest strategic possibili-t-iijf*. The communique announcing the important American success in the Verdun region has been received with the greatest satisfaction and elation bv military officials and diplomatic circles The success is considered one of the most notable advances since General Foch's offensive started.—Aus.-X.Z. Cable Assn.