THE CHAMPAGNE OFFENSIVE.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 October 1918, Page 5

THE CHAMPAGNE OFFENSIVE.

COMPLETE DEFEAT OF EXEMY. FRENCH PRESSING FORWARD. London, Oct. 13. A French communique states that the battle begun in the Champagne on September 20 has ended after seventeen days' fighting in the complete defeat of the enemy. The Fourth Army has completed the liberation of the 'bend of the Aisne by reoccupying to-day 30 localities, and freeing several thousand civilians subjected to the German yoke since 1014.

This army alone, since the beginning of the Champa'gne offensive, has taken 21,567 prisoners, including 49!) officers, also 600 guns and much, material. The Fifth Army on its left is relentlessly pursuing the enemy, and has crossed the Retourne and advanced ten kilometres. We hold Vieux les Asfeld, Asfeld la Ville, and the southern outskirts of Blanzy. Wc crossed the Aisne, fighting, at Guignicourt and Neufchatel. and are advancing towards Mont Prouvais. Between the Aisne and the Oise our vigorous pressure forced the enemy to a fresh retreat. Pressing his rearguards we reached the Ailette north of Craonne. Further west our line is marked by Chivy les Etouvelles, four kilometres from Laon, Bourguignon, Foucoucourt, and points east of Premontre, east of St. Gobain, west of Berteaueourt and Deuillet.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc.

OSTEND GUNS REMOVED. POPULATION WILDLY EXCITED. Received Oct. 14, 1130 p.m. The Hague, Oct. 14. It is reported that all the Ostend guns ha# been removed. The coastal population is wildly excited, and they are evacuating districts with the long-range artiilery and flocking to the interior, causing congestion, panic, and interference with .the lines of communication.

All news,-including President Wilson's reply, is stopped at the frontier. —Times' Service..