AN AUSTRALIAN ADVANCE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16206, 8 May 1918, Page 7

AN AUSTRALIAN ADVANCE.

PROGRESS EAST OF AMIENS. GERMAN PEACE MOTE DENIED. 4th YEAR—2BOth DAY.

THE GREAT OFFENSIVE. • LOCAL FIGHTING. SUCCESSFUL ALLIED ACTIVITIES. (By Cable.—Frcao Association. —Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.; (Beutor's Telegram®.) • (Received May 7th, 7.10 p.m.) LONDON, Ma-y 6 (12.40 p.m.). Sir Douglas. Haig reports: — "In a minor operation our line westward and south-westward of Morlancourt, between the Somnio and the Anore, was advanced on a considerable front, despite strong opposition. Tho enemy's losses wero heavy. Our casualties were slight. "Local fighting improved our positions in tho neighbourhood of Locon and the La we river.'' A French communique states: — "An enemy attempt, after a violent bombardment, to reach our lino southwest of Auchin Farm, failed completely. Many of the enemy were killed. "One of our detachments penetrated German organisations in the region north of tho Loivro and west of Rhcims, and inflicted serious losses." (Received May Bth, 12.45 a.m.) LONDON, May 0. Sir Douglas'Haig reports:— "A successful local operatiou was carried out during tho night in • tho neighbourhood of Morlancourt. Wo took over 200 prisoners. "Tho French repulsed attempted raids southward of Locrc. "Reciprocal artillery activity continued all daj' on the battle-fronts. Our artillery caused several fires behind the enemy's lines northward of the Lys." A French communique states:— "There is somewhat quiet reciprocal artillery activity north and south or tho Avre." OFFICIAL GERMAN REPORT. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Reuter's Telegrams.) Admiralty per Wireless Press. (Received May Bth, 1.15 a.m.) LONDON, May 6. A German official report states: — "A local onemy attack southward of Locre failed.

"We took prisoners during reconnoitring engagements near Hangard and south-west of Brimont, also in engagements with the Americans southwest of Blamont And with the French at Hartmannsweilerkopf." THE AUSTRALIANS. LINE SUBSTANTIALLY ADVANCED

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, May G (3.45 p.m.). The United Press correspondent says: — "Tho Australians, by two brilliant actions between the Ancrc and the iSomme, advanced their line on a front of 1200 yards or more. Many Germans were killed and 150 were taken, prisoner." LONDON, May G. In the Morlancourt attack the Australians reached the lower slopes of the ridge in tho neighbourhood of Vnux-sur-Somme, an important tactTual point. (Received May 7th, 7.10 p.m.) LONDON, May 6. The United Press correspondent writes: — "The first of the two Australian successes advanced the British line 700 yards on a 1500 yards front. "The Australians swept forward silently in the darknoss early yesterday morning, surprising the thin garrison which was holding tho front lines just northward of the Sommc, and established themselves in the position. Similarly in pitch darkness this morning they pushed on another 500 yards on n 2000 jards front. They met with obstinate resistance, but killed many and took prisoner 150. "The weather is now showery." ANOTHER GREAT BLOW IMPENDING. ("Tho Time 3.") (Received May Bth, 1.15 a.m.) LONDON, May G. Mr Perry Robinson writes: — "The quiot on the front has become ominous, but the 'devils' dance' is about to recommence. Continued rain delays the enemy's plans, but another great blow is surely impending. "The Australians' fine advance between Sailly le Sac and Morlancourt not only relieves the immediate pressure on Amiens from Corbie, but gives additional observation over the Gorman back areas eastwards of Villers-Breton-neux. The Australians, besides inflicting heavy casualties, took about 200 prisoners and captured machine-guns. "Tho 29th Division, recently mentioned by Sir Douglas Haig, is as famous as any in tho army. It established a wonderful record from the fighting on Gallipoli to the mid-April fighting. It did maguificently on tho Somme, and at Cambrai and Marcoing, where it completely held up the Germans on our eastern salient in November, 1917. At tho beginning of the present battle the division left its recent hard service at Passchomlaele and took up a position at Merris, and has done continuously great service since." GERMANY'S GREAT GAMBLE. (Australian and N.Z. Cab'© Association.) LONDON, May G.. Mr Philip Gibbs writos: — "Nearly a week has passed without a German attack. The enemy is reorganising his divisions- and preparing for another offensive. He has many

divisions in tho Flemish, fields and on tho Somme. also divisions crowded in reserve, but there aro few roads fit for marching, and not much room _ for masses to assemble. There is little cover in tho trenches and dugouts, 60 wo Dound many of the Germans to dep.tli. Reliefs coming up "et wildly mixed with divisions returning. There is mad confusion during tlic night in tho ranks of marching men and transport columns, while the Red Cross convoys aro overloaded with wounded. Those things are upsetting the plans of tho German High Command, but they will continue to nour out the blood of tho infantry in this great gamblo. Tho only chance of the onslaught stopping is that tho Gorman people may bo norrified, and rise in passion against the spilling of their sofdicss' blood." SIDELIGHTS ON THE OFFENSIVE. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) WASHINGTON, May 6. The British War Mission states that with 'French and British now available, the situation on tho West front _is considerably improved, though tho situation is certain to be anxious for some time: Despite the terrible ordeal, the behaviour of drafts who were for the first time under fire and under a deluge of shells was splendid. LONDON, May G. Renter's correspondent in France states that tho British fire in Flanders during the past three days has completely prevented any onemy movement. Tho enemy had undoubtedly prepared _ an attack for Saturday, but tho British gunners smothered "it beforo it could be launched. The "Daily Telegraph's" Rotterdam correspondent savs the German General Staff are making still, greater demands upon Germany's allies. . A largo nurabor of Austrian infantry has been brought to Germany for garrison and other duties, replacing Germans. A great weeding out of the civil population is going on, including many business men, owing to the losses in the last gfx weeks' offensive.