SUCCESSFUL BLOW BETWEEN MATZ AND OISE

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 195, 16 August 1918, Page 5

SUCCESSFUL BLOW BETWEEN MATZ AND OISE

LONDON, August 15. The 'Pall Mall Gazette" states that General Humbert delivered a powerful attack on a comparatively short front, between the Matz and Oise, this morning. It is believed the operation was successful. It is reported that the town of Lassigny is already in the hands of the French. The Allied airmen are displaying increased aggressiveness, and have penetrated far to the rear. They report that reinforcements of men and guns are coming up to the threatened points. The enemy is withdrawing his heavy guns to other sectors. The Germans have destroyed light weapons, ammunition, stores, and other implements, wholesale, with the exception of food and clothing. Terrific fighting continues on the top of Lassigny Ridge. The French are pushing solidly down the far side, meeting with the fiercest resistance everywhere. It may be a couple of days before the enemy is cleared off. The situation between Roye and Chaulnes is stationary.— (A. and N.Z. Cable.) A French communique states:—During the day we continued our progress between the Matz and the Oise, and captured Ribecourt, on the NoyonCompiegne road, six miles south-west of Noyon. East of Belval, on tbe Lassigny Heights, the infantry learned that a counter-attack was being prepared, and, anticipating it, succeeded in taking prisoner seven officers and a number of men. In the regions of Roye and Lassigny very lively artillery fighting was continued. An earlier report staled: —Between the Avre and the Oise there is active mutual artillery tiring, notably at the Royc-sur-Matz and Conchy-les-Pots sectors. On the Veale front enemy raids were without result. The French made a raid in the region of Mesnil-les-Hurlus, in the Eastern Champagne — XA. and N.Z. and Reuter.)