ENEMY RETREATING.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 October 1918, Page 5

ENEMY RETREATING.

Behind the Ailettk

Received Oct. 2, 1.15 am.

Paris, Sept 3G. There are unmistakable aigna that the enemy behind the Ailette is retreating.— Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. HOW DIXMUDE WAS TAKEN. British Guns Brought Up Fast. Received Oct. 2, 12.15 a m. ' . London, Sept. 30. Ihe United Press correspondent states that Dixmude was taken by a flankin" movement. Four fresh divisions havu reinforced the Germans opposite the Belgians, including the Hundredth Rgglment, which sacked Dinnant. The Belgians captured a total of 300 guns and the British 97. The British guns were brought up ao i2st that they faced the German "batteries on the ridge COO yar.ls away, and they tired at each other with open sights, tile Germans being finally wiped out. One British division advanced 1200 yards in one day. The British are well eastward of Moorslede.—Aug,-N.Z. Cable Assoc.

"SPLENDIDLY PROGRESSING." FRAUGHT WITH DRAMATIC POSSIBILITIES. Received Oct. 1, 11.40 p.m. London, Sept. 30. Reuter'a correspondent at British headquarters, reporting on Monday morning, says the Belgians and our Second Army ure splendidly progressing in Flanders, where the situation has become fraught with dramatic possibilities. The Germans have received some reinforcements in the shape of two tired divisions which ivere withdrawn from the Somme fighting on September 25, consequently the resistance has stiffened somewhat, but is nowhere sufficiently formidable to arrest the general advance.

The Belgians got into Dixmude by a smart flanking movement, They swiftly went through tho town, despite street fighting. A large party of the enemy held out obstinately in the Hotel de Ville, but eventually all were killed or i-aptured.—Reuter.

ENEMY STRONG POSITIONS ABANDONED. ! ADVANCE OF MANGIN'S ARMY. London, Sept. 30. Mr. George Perns reports: General Caiiowitz's sudden abandonment of the Malmaison front, one of the strongest German positions on the west front, and his retreat behind the Ailette began on Friday night.

General Mangin's army has been steadily pursuing a patient investment of the Malmaison plateau by a concentric movement from the north-westward, westward, and southward. The troops fin gaged in a fierce encounter on Friday at Colombe farm and bombarded the whole region during the night. Patrols went out at six o'clock next morning and encountered resistance around the ruined villages of Jouy and Aisy, but exploding bombs and burning stores made it clear what was afoot.

The general advance began at 8 o'clock between Vauxaillon and Vailly, and quickly reached and passed the famous landmarks of the Chemin des Dames. Violent explosions occurred in the morning at Fort Malmaison, but none hurt the French, who advanced and reached Pinon and Vaudesson by evening. The pursuit was continued during the night, and on Sunday morning we reached the old front on the Ailette.

General Mangin's left wing advanced beyond the old line and reached Grandcourt, threatening Anizy-le-Chateau and Laon from the west as well as from the south,—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

New York, Sept. 30. It is officially announced that American aviators, during the latest American offensive, brought down 60 enemy machines, and less than 20 American aeroplanes were brought down. The New York Times correspondent at the American front says that the Americans engaged in 52 air combats in -one day, and brought down 33 enemy machines without the loss of an American aeroplane. American airmen showed great versatility. Using De Haviland machines, they attacked German troops <ind machine-guns, and also brought J own. several enemy aeroplanes. Others each dropped 4001b of high explosives amidst groups of German soldiers and on machine-guns. They thus silenced an entire battery. The regular bombers [dropped two tons of bombs on Etain, scoring seven direct hits on the railway track.

In one instance 34 1)0011)613 far behind the German lines were attacked by 36 Fokkers, of which seven were brought down. Five American machines did'not return.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

Received Oct. 1, 2.35 p.m. Washington, Sept.. 30.

The Germans north-west of Verdun are violently resisting the Americans' advance on the Kreimliilde line. Heavy fighting is in progress.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

London, Sept. 30.

A Belgian communique states: The Belgians unrelentingly continued the attacks, despite enemy resistance, and gained a footing on the Flanders ridge. The enemy second line was carried along the line Dixmude, Zarren, Stadenberg, Passchendaele, Moorslede, and part of Westroosebcke.

The enemy brought up reserves and violently counter-attacked north of Houthulst forest. The attack was completely broken, enabling the Belgians to occupy the Terreest height. The Belgians' advance guard reached within three kilometres of Roulers, attaining the Roulers-Menin road at one point. Prisoners counted since yesterday exceed .5500. They took 100 guns, including several of the heaviest calibre, and a vast quantity of othfir material—Aus. N.Z. Cftble Assoc. FOCH'S PLAN. Paris, Sept. 30. The Matin asserts that General Foch's plan is to grip the enemy where he stands and smasli him in irretrievable defeat.—Aus. N.J5,. Cable Assoc.