FRENCH DELAYED BY FLOODS IN OISE VALLEY

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 121, 22 May 1917, Page 5

FRENCH DELAYED BY FLOODS IN OISE VALLEY

WORKING ROUND THE FOREST OF ST. GOBAIN

LONDON, May 21. The l'aris correspondent of the London "Daily Chronicle" writes:—Thirtytwo miles of the French front between St. Quentin and LafVaux, north-east of Soissons, have been a mystery since the early days of the German retreat. The explanation is that the Germane played a similar trick to that we played them iii Uooding the Yser Valley earlier in the war. The Germans flooded the Uise Valley between Berthauoourt and Tergnier. To the south is the hilly forest of St. Gobain, and, but for the marshes and the forest, the Allies would have reached the Luon plain. The heat lately has reduced the floods, but the large canal running between the several branches of the river makes the crossing of the valley most difficult. If the western end of the Chemin dcs Dames is taken, the German defence system of the Oise and St. Gobain will be takeu in the rear. This fear largely accounts for the desperate German counterattacks on the Aisne front. A French communique states.—The activity of the enemy's artillery increased from midnight to morning on the line of the Chemin dcs Dames from east of Hurtebise to the region north of Sancy. The Germans directed on us a rolling fire of heavy calibre and asphyxiating shells. Their general assault failed. On the greater part of the front threatened the German troops massed for attack were unable to leave their trenches. The enemy, after heavy losses, gained a footing in our advanced elements north-east of Ccrny on a front of 200yd.s. Everywhere else we maintained our positions. An enemy attempt to capture the salient of La Bovelle was easily repulsed. A small action enabled us to carry some elements of trenches north-east of Laffaux Mill.