Villages Changing Hands Repeatedly

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 7011, 19 July 1918, Page 3

Villages Changing Hands Repeatedly

Australian and JN r Z Cable A .socRcc July 19, 11 J5 a ra

Loudon, July 18

The enemy renewed attacks westward and eastward of ihe Rheims salient, capturing the western portion of La JBourdonucrie village and heights, which the French re-tcok on Tuesday. The French again counterattacking. The Germans who remained were unable to debouch from Pruuay and the advance lost. i.3 breakneck speed, A favourable sign is that the villages aro chunking hand 3 repeatedly, The enemy, during the third day, succeeded in advancing lus line towards important positions which he may subsequently capture, provided he possesses, ihe requisite forces. . On the other hand the enemy failed to gain tha strategic advantages which are a necessary preliminary* to the v?at converging westward movement, which was the high command's plan.

German Pincers Have Slipped

The Genua a pincers have slipped io the Champagne between Prunay and Massig.e, where a rupture would have enabled the enemy tp cro3S tho E *mao Road and reach Suippc**, and thence Chalons. Here our line holds. The German attack misfired at only oue point, aud succeeded in advancing to-day after two unsuccessful attempts. The Germans, at 11 o'clock in the morning, attacking on a sis mile front, penetrated to a depth of r. mile and L-half, the deepest point being at Montague de Rheiuis. Tho advance was made at enormous cost. During the night tho French repulsed two violent attacks at Vrigny and Beau-aiont-sur-Vesle. Tho French reentered two villages which had been strenuously disputed, including Mon',vo.sin.

French Artillery Dominates Marne Valley

French artillery dorninatr-s the Marne Valley, which i 3 being heavily shelled. The French hold the whole of the high ground overlooking the valiey, wibh the exception of ono point,

The offensive which the enemy hoped to develop into a drive is now regarded as a failure aud has become a series of local disjointed actions, therefore it can truly bo clescrib.d as a German defeat, but probably the battle will continue for some time, with fluctuating results. Tho Germans still possess a large numter of available reserves, but it is believed likely, owing to this failure, that the high command may determine to reorganise and use the reserves for assault on another part of the line. The increased German artillerying on tho British front is regarded as significant in this conuoction. The enemy at co point advanced one third of his programme distance and he suffered colossal casualties.

Further Stem Fighting Inevitable

The French are full of hope that the enemy will not sucesed in taking Eheims, though they anticipate the utmost efforts to capture the city by rammieg tactics. In the event of the Germans gaining possession of Mon tagne do Eheims the tenure of the city would become precarious.

It is evident that Ludendorff planned the rupture of tho Champagne front in Older to isolate the French armies and exploit the success by local battles. Further "stern fighting is inevitable because the enemy is compelled to continue tho attacks in order to save his face.