ENEMY'S RETREAT BEFORE NEW ZEALANDERS

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 246, 15 October 1918, Page 5

ENEMY'S RETREAT BEFORE NEW ZEALANDERS

NOW FORTY MILES FROM STARTING POINT.

FRANCE, October 10. This morning at five o'clock the New Zealanders advanced and took possession of Fontaine and Beauvois just beyond. There was practically no fighting, the enemy having made a further retreat in the night. Tne character of the fighting for the time being is changed. Tie enemy is gradually retreating and our men are again getting in touch with him in the daytime Since fighting began we have advanced forty miles alone the -whole corf* front. Yesterday the enemy offered little resistance until his rearguards were encountered on the outskirts of Caudry and Fontaine. The demolition and exploding of his dumps continues, and his retreating traffic proceeds continuously eastward, from Montigny. This is harassed from the air and many casualties are resulting. Last night the enemy was stfll shelling Esnes. The enemy is preparing a system of defence on the slope of Le Cateau and in the Solesmes Valley. Civilian labour has been concentrated for this purpose. Ths enemy has been -using some British jackets with his own shoulder straps and buttons. The enemy's casualties on this corps front number over 100 officer* and 4000 men, in addition to thousands of prisoners.—(N.Z. Correspondent.) Mr. Philip Gibbs gives a vivid account of the forcing of the River Selle, in which the New Zealanders, by a brilliant exploit, captured the river front. The Germans held out for two days, when they had been ordered to hold out to the death.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.)