ENEMY RETREATING BEHIND REARGUARDS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 208, 31 August 1918, Page 5

ENEMY RETREATING BEHIND REARGUARDS.

DESPERATE 'EFFORT TO CHECK ALLIED ADVANCE. AMERICANS MAKE PROGRESS NORTH OF THE AISME. (Received 1.30 p.m.) ■ LONDON". August 30. Mr. Philip Gibbs says:—From the hills north of the Scarpe to south of the Somme the enemy Js retreating, trying to get away behind its rearguards before being caught or killed. Machine-gunners in places are fiercely resisting in order to gain time for a more orderly retreat. This defence ie the strongest on the northern half of the Australian front, perhaps in order to delay the fall of Pcronne until enormous stores there are removed, but further north the German army is stealing away in darknese and daylight, but our men are trudging after them in great elation. They eagerly press on until they arc unable to go further Iwcause they have the enemy on the run. Every hour brings news of more villages and woods recaptured. The United Press correspondent states:- "The Australians who faced Peronne are across the Somme, and have reached to almost striking distance. They crossed to the north bank by a bridge reaching Clery. Conibles was taken together with a battery of field guns.' , Mr. Percival Phillips says:—"The German High Command is making a desperate effort to check our advance at the northern end of the line. They threw in every available man last night. Two attacks were made by four divisions, chiefly against the Canadians between the Cambrai road and the Scarpe. The attackers were beaten back after hard fighting. Much of yesterday's lighting in the direction of Hendecourt and Jtullecourt was again of the rare old-fashioned sort, our gunner?, despite poor visibility, shelling the enemy's fleeing transport by direct observation. The Australians in the south arc performing a difficult task. The enemy's withdrawal hinges on the northern end. and he is obliged to swing back with the greatest speed between Hupaumc and the but the Australians have the necessary speed to keep in touch with them. The German resistance at Biachcs is stiffening, as the Germans are anxious to destroy the bridges l>cfore they put the river between themselves and the Australians, whom they dislike do heartily."— (A. and N.Z. Cable.) LONDON". August 30. An American communique states:--"Northward of the Aisne we progressed in the region of Juvincourt. despite strong enemy resistance. Our patrols along the River Vcslc and in the Woeuvre brought in prisoners."- I A. and X.Z. and Renter.) A wireless German official report statee:— "Vighting occurred in front of our new lines eastward of Bapaumc. Pcronne. and Noyon."—(A. and NJC. ajul Reuter.l