HARD FIGHTING.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16314, 11 September 1918, Page 7

HARD FIGHTING.

FURTHER ALLIED GAPTURES.

ENEMY RESISTANCE STIFFENING.

FIFTH YEAR—42nd DAY,

THE ALLIED ADVANCE.

BRITISH CAPTURE ADDITIONAL VILLAGES. FRENCH PROGRESS CONTINUED. (By Cable.—Press As«ociation.—Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. liable Association.) NEW YORK, September 9. The British have occupied Vermand and Vendelles (north of Vermand), and are now attacking Gouzeaucourt. The French have crossed the Crozat Canal. The British arc rapidly gaining ground north of the Arras-Cambrai road. LONDON, September 9. The British have captured Gouzeaucourt Wood. FRENCH OFFICIAL REPORTS. LONDON, September 9. A French communique states: — "North of the Somme we increased our progress east of Avesne, in the direction of Clastres, and occupied Lamotte Farm! Our elemonts crossed Crozat Canal. I "Betveen the Oise and the Aisne there was violent artillerying, -with enemy infantry reactions, during the night. Two strong German counter-at-tacks in the region of Laffaux were repulsed." 1 (Received September 10th, 10.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 10. A French communique states: — • "Our troops to-day made fresh advances at different points westward of St. Quentin. Wo have captured Etroillers and Roupy. Beyond • the Crozat Canal we have captured Grand Seraucourt, Clastres, Montescourt, Lizerolles, and Remigny. We have occupied Hill 103 southward of Contescourt, and Es-signy-le-Grand railway station and Hill 117, north of the Oise. We have taken the fort of Liez and tho woods northwest of Canalers Farm and Red Farm. We have captured south of the Oise brick works and the station at Servais, We advanced in the region north .of Laffaux, and in the region of Glonnes, between the Aisne and the Veslo." SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S REPORTS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Reuier's Telegrams.) LONDON, September 9. Sir Douglas Haig reports:— "We successfully repulsed raiders northward of Arleux en Gohelle (southeast of Lens). There was reciprocal artillery activity, chiefly in the neighbourhood of the Arras-Cambrai road, La Bass6e Canal, and 'Spree sectors." LONDON, Soptember 9 (11 p.m.). Sir Douglas Haig • reports: — "Early this morning English and New Zealand detachments attacked and carried German positions on the high ground between Flesquieres and Havrrncourt Wood. ■ After sharp fighting, in which we repulsed a heavy counterattack with loss, we gained the old British, trench lines on the ridge overlooking Gouzeaucourt, capturing Gouzeaucourt. On the left, the attack oi other English troops successfully advanced the line in the eastern; portions of Havrincourt Wood. We captured a number of prisoners in these operations. "We repulsed attacks against posts recently established westward of La Boss^e. "In wet and stormy weather, our aeroplanes carried on with difficulty. We dropped five tons of bombs in the daytime. There was no night flying. The enemy's activity was slight. We brought down five enemy machines, and drove down two uncontrollable. No British machines are missing." GERMAN OFFICIAL MESSAGE. Admiralty per Wireless Prow. LONDON, September 9. A German official message states: — "Strong enemy attacks against the Gouzeaucourt-Epehy lino failed with heavy losses. "Between the Ailette and tho Aisne the enemy attack in close formation was repulsed along tho whole front with sanguinary losses." ENEMY STRONGLY RESISTING." (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received September 10th, 9.35 p.m.) LONDON, September 10. Mr Philip Gibbs writes:—As we approach the Hindenburg line the enemy is drawing from thence strong reinforcements of fresh troops to replace the tired, retreating divisions, which largely accounts for the stiffened resistance. Tho enemy is strongly holding the commandspurs before the Hindenburg line as long as possible. He holds Epehy, but our patrols are creeping round both north and south. DETERMINED FIGHTING NORTH OF THE AISNE. (Rcuter's Telegrams.) (Received September 10th, 7.55 p.m.) LONDON, September 9. Router's correspondent at American Headquarters, writing on the morning of September 9th, states: — "Between the Ailette and the Aisne, tho enemy resistance is stronger, indicating the arrival of fresh troops. Tho Laffaux ravines yesterday were the scene of sanguinary fighting. These givo access along the ridgo to Chomin des Dames, at Ceiles, on the Aisne. At the south-eastern angle of the samo group of hills, the Germans attacked furiously, revealing that an abundanco of artillery of all calibres is now concentrated at this danger spot in tho defence of the St. Gobain massif. In view of the difficulty of progress in this region, more success is likely to attend our outflanking movement towards La Fere, but, in any case, this

counter-attacking is all to our advantage." SLOWER PROGRESS PROBABLE. LONDON, September 9. "While tliero is no'intention to allow the enemy to rest, the rapid movement of tho last few weeks is now improbable, and the ndvance is likely to be somewhat slower as the Allies approach the Siegfried line and meet opposition from the heavy guns. More movement is possible south of the Si-arpe, near the Wotan line, but here the Germans have a good defensive line behind the canal, which they are improving. We aro attacking Gouzeaucourt this morning, but tho progress is unknown. Wo hoid the northern edge of Epehv. . Patrola were reported through the village. Patrols also occupied Vcndelles and entered Vermand, which probably is the largest town in the neighbourhood. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, September 9. The United Press correspondent states: —The attack in tho neighbourhood of Gouzeaucourt is progressing satisfactorily. Prisoners report that it) is the enemy's intention to hold the lino of Gonnelieu (east rf Gouzeaucourt), Hargicourt, and Villaret (east of Roisel). Fires have been observed ati Douai. THE BRITISH LINE. LONDON, September 9. Reuter's correspondent at British Headquarters, writing this evening, says:—To the southward wo _ havo reached a line eastward of the villages of Trefoon, Poeuilly, Flechin, and 1 Bernes. We am in Roisol. Thence the line runs along the Roisel Villers-Fau-con railway. We occupy VilleisF.aucon, nl?o Sauloourt and Guyencourt. Further north we carried a spur south-east of Heudioourt, and gainod' useful ground north of tho villa ce. We are in Dessart Wood, between Fins and; Gouzeauoourt. The Germans are reported to be trailing out of Heudicourt, near which we captured Spoil Hcanj which figured prominently in the battle of Cambrai last November. FRENCH PROGRESS. LONDON, September 9. The French in the vicinity of Crozat Canal havo progressed now within four miles of St. Quentin at the nearest point. , They forced the canal along practically the whole front, advancing towards Clastres. Their cavalry patrols are close to Le Fete. AMERICANCASUALTIES. NEW YORK, September 9. The "New York Times"" Washington correspondent states that the American casualties now exceed 30,000, not including 20,000 lightly wounded reported by General Pershing. ENEMY SHORT OF AMMUNITION. (Router"b Telegrams.) LONDON, September 9. Reuter's correspondent at American Headquarters states: —Repeatedly during the past week, even when the German infantry was most hotly pressed, the Germin artillery did not provide anything like tho assistance which might be anticipated. As an example, the German counter-battery work, on the occasion of the sanguinary defeat of three German divisions at Orecy-au-Mont, was puerile. One is forced to conclude that perhaps, partly owing to the loss of millions of rounds in the re- ! treat, the enemy in certain sectors is short of ammunition. AFTER-WAR CARE OF SOLDIERS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) NEW YORK, September 8. Commending to belligerent nations the care of returned veterans after the war, the New York "Times" says:— All the nations opposing Germany will eventually provide for the welfare of their soldiers after the war, despite the delay in definite plans. Australia has made notable preparations for the care of her veterans. This is especially interesting to Americans, because our soldiers and those of the Island Continent have been like brothers in tho battlefields of France. The "Times" describes the Australian repatriation plans, praises in the highest terms Australian foresight, andi points out that other nations should follow the example. The paper also commends the enre the -Australian Government has taken of Australian soldiers in London and elsewhere. INDIA'S SHARE. MORE MEN AND MORE MONEY. | (Router's Telegrams.) I (Received September 11th, 1.15 a.m.) SIMLA, September 10. I In the Council, Sir William Meyer moved a resolution that India should take a larger share in raising and financing military forces. It is propos- j ed to recruit another half-million men, I and take over the cost of 200,000 more men, raising the army for which India pays to 300,000, so as to relieve the British Government. Certain other changes are proposed, totalling £35,000,000 during the next two years ! in addition to £10,000,000 for pension charges.