RESISTANCE OF ALLIES CONSTANTLY INCREASING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 10867, 4 June 1918, Page 5

RESISTANCE OF ALLIES CONSTANTLY INCREASING.

EXTREMELY HEAVY LOSSES INFLICTED ON ENEMY.

ONLY THE BEGINNING OF A GIGANTIC BATTLE.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON*, June 2French despatches state that the most desperate fighting continues between the Ourcq and the Marne. The enemy is constantly throwing in fresh picked divisions and the maximum artillery resources to compensate for extremely heavy losses. The British and French are making a supreme effort to secure a halt, The density of the allied reserves is increasing. At several points they are fighting with the greatest tenacity and valour. The enemy are in strong positions between Dormans and Chateau Thierry, but have not yet attempted to cross the Marne, the bridges over which have been destroyed. The Paris correspondent of the Daily Chronicle states that desperate fighting continues on the whole 70-mile battlefront between the Oise and northward of Rheims. This is regarded here as only the beginning of a gigantic battle. This afternoon's news produced a cheering effect, indicating that the French not only stopped the enemy's rush on the 'left wing between Soissons and Chateau Thierry, but made brilliant counter-attacks. The Germans' violent efforts in the direction of Villous Cotterets, which is 45 miles from Paris, completely failed, while the French drove them back, gaining ground on the Crise River. The enemy made some gains on the north bank of tie Marne, but did not attempt to cross the river, remembering his former costly experience.