TURKS DEFEATED

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16324, 23 September 1918, Page 7

TURKS DEFEATED

BRITISH VICTORY IN PALESTINE. 18.000 PRISONERS WEN. FURTHER PROGRESS ON WESTERN FRONT FIFTH YEAR—54th DAY,

THE ALLIED ADVANCE.

BRITISH RECAPTURE MCEUVRES. HEAVY ENEMY LOSSES. (By C»b:©i—Praa Aa«oci» 'ion,—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) NEW YORK, September 20. The British have recaptured Masuvres. The Australians are continuing their penetration of the Hindenburg line, ' and have reuched Bellenglise, about four miles north-west of St. Quentin. LONDON, September 20. , The United Press correspondent states that the Australians have advanced on a lino northward of St. Helene to near Bellenglise, and are now within half a mile of the canal, the nearest point to tile Hindenburg line between Havricourt and St. Quentin. (Received September 22nd, 5.5 p.m.) NEW YORK, September 21. The British have launched a Ipcal offensive at Havrincourt Wood. FRENCH OFFICIAL REPORTS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Renter'* Telegrams.) LONDON, September 20. A French communique reports: — "In the region of St. Quentin last evening, we captured Essigny le Grand and took more prisoners. "South of the Ailette the night was marked by violent enemy reactions. Five times his counter-attacks were smashed against our new positions. "North of Allemant and east of Moisy Farm the enemy, whose losses have been very heavy, has not achieved the (lightest result. "We gained ground west of Aizy and north-east of Vailly. •The enemy attempted to cross the Vesle at Jonchery, but failed. "Our reconnaissances penetrated tha» enemy lines north-west of Souain." LONDON, September 20. A French communique states: • — "We advanced eastwards of Essigny Je Grand, also on Moisy Farm Plateau, , and : captured prisoners. There was ' lively artillerying in the region of St. Quentin." . (Received September 22nd, 11.40 p.m.) LONDON, September 21, A French communique states: — "In the night-time our. troops, operating in the region of St. Quentin, captured Bonny and progressed northward thereof. We repulsed an enemy counter-attack against Castres. "There is artillery activity in the region of the plateau northward of the ' Aisne. ' < "In Lorraipo two German attempts against posts towards Arracourt and AucerviJlae were without result." SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S REPORTS* (Australian and N. 2. Cable Association.) (Beuter's Te!«gTtuzw.) . LONDON, September 20. Sir Douglas Haig reports:— "Towards midday on Thursday English troops attacked on the LempireEpehy sector, and, despite considerable opposition and in face of heavy artillery and- machine-gun fire, made valuable progress to a depth of over a mile beyond the line previously gained in this locality. - "W<i canttired. aftnr nbstinn-fo resistance, a strong point cauea iuaiassise Farm (east of Epehy), and also a number of small woods and posts, the defended localities forming a part of our >ld defences. "We attacked last night and recaplured Mceuvres. "The enemy's resistance was obstinite, and fighting continues. A few prisoners were taken. "Local engagements oocurred elsewhere on the bnttlefront, . and also jortb-westward of Hulluch. "Wo repulsed raiders northw;ard of Lens." (Received September 32nd, 11.50 p.m.) LONDON, September 20. Sir Douglas Haig's report states: — "The Scots completed the recapture J of Mceirrres this morning, overcoming the resistance of a party of the enemy who were still holding out in the village. "The enemy delivered a strong local attack north-west of Hulluch this morning after a heavy bombardment. We completely repulsed the attack, taking a number of prisoners. English troops carried out a successful minor operation this morning north-west of La advanced our line on a frontage of 2k miles as far as the villages of Rue de Marais and Latourelle, and beat off a counter-attacks after sharp fighting. "Clouds and a strong wind interfered with air work. On September 19tli we dropped 5J tons on various targets and brought down two machines anpl drove down two. No British machines are missing. Night flying was impose sible." (Received September 22nd, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, September 21. Sir Douglas Haig reports:— "On the occasion of a hostile attack on Moeuvrcs, on September 17th, a corporal and six men of the 15tli Battalion Highland Light Infantry, the Fifty-second Division forming the garrison, one of our posts just north of ( the village, was, surrounded and believed to be captured. During the. two j days in which the Germans wero in . occupation of Mmuvres this party maintained their position with great gallantry, and inflicted many casualties ' on the enemy. On the night of September 19-20 th, when ! lamvres was retaken by us, the whole party regained their unit without loss. "Yesterday afternoon fresh attacks on our posts northward of Moauvrac

were repulsed. During the evening the enemy heavily bombarded our positions in the neighbourhood of Gauche Wood, and succeeded in pressing back slightly one of our advanced posts northward of the wood. All night the enemy made repeated determined attempts with ilamraenwerfers and bombß to drive in our positions in thiß locality. All these attacks were repulsed after hard fighting. "Our line has been advanced slightly north-west of Bellenglise- This morning fighting recommenced in the sector east of Epeby. "We improved our positions slightly last night west of Messines, capturing a German strong point. We progressed south and east of Ypres." (Received September 22nd, 11.40 p.m.) LONDON, September 21 (10.35 p.m.). Sir Douglas Haig reports:— "In a minor operation this morning eastward of Epeby, English troops successfully advanced our line after heavy nghting. Strong opposition was encountered at all points, and later thd enemy launched a number of counterattacks in considerable strength. Despite resistance, we substantially progressed on tho whole front of the at* tack. In conjunction with this attack! the Australians further progressed in a completely successful operation in the Hargicourt sector, taking prisoners." GERMAN OFFICIAL MESSAGES. (Australian N.Z. Cable A«societion.) Telegrams.) Admiralty per Wireleea Prees. LONDON, September 20. A German official message states:— "We repulsed repeated strong coun-ter-attacks against Goureaucourt and both sides of Epehy; aIBO attacks between Omigno rivulet and the Somme." (Received September 22nd, 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 21. A German official message states:— "Southward of the Somme we withdrew our advanced troops, thus evacuating Essingny le Grand. The enemy has gained a footing on the high ridges westward of Jouy." BRITISH SOLDIERS' SPLENDID ACHIEVEMENTS. RECORD CONTINUOUS ADVANCE. (Received September 22nd, 6.5 p.m.) LONDON, September 21. Correspondents at Headquarters continue to give details of the splendid achievements of the British Units, including the Guards, who bloodily repulsed a German countor-attack at Havrincourfc. The Germans around .Templeujc-le-Guerard buried themselves deep in the quarries and caves, which were honeycombed with machine-gun nests, but tho British Yeomen worked round under cover of smoke screens, and cut them off. The Seventeenth Division, perhaps, holds the record for continuous advance. Since it attacked on the Ancre this division has taken the ThiepvalGhwaben redoubt, Pozieres, Courcelette, Martinpuich, and finally crossod .tho Canal due north, seized the bridgeheads, and established itself in Gauche Wood. GENERAL MONASH INTERVIEWED PRAISE FOR THE AUSTRALIANS.

1 (Australian and N.Z, Cablo Aiaocietion.) (Received September 22nd, 6.5 p.m.) NEW YORK, September 20. Mr Price Bell, the Chicago "Daily ' News" correspondent on the West front, interviewed General Monash, ' who commands the Australian Army. General Monash said: "The German ' moral is low, but we are doubtless a 1 long way from the end of the heavy , fighting. The Germans are beaten. If tho weather proves favourable it is con. coivable that the Germans will be pushed out of France by Christmas. I cannot say the same for Belgium. The Hindenburg line will be taken in due : course." While the correspondent was ' with General Monash they passed by some Australian soldiers working in a field. They did not salute General Monash, who said: "They did not salute me, but they are carrying on. We make too much of these symbols and signs of discipline. There is one supreme final test of- discipline. It is that every man at tho appointed time and place shall be on hand resolute to do his job. By this test the Australian Army has' passed a hundred per cent, clean." Mr Price Bell continues: "You can travel two hours fast in an automobile due east of Amiens without' reaching the end of the ground from which the Australians have driven the Germans sinco April." He describes General Monash as pre-eminently positive with unwavering confidence in his soldiers, his own ideas and himself. His military aspiration is a pertinacious sive.General Monash said that the Australians' successes were due largely to the junior officers, many pf whom had risen from tho ranks, and he particularly praised the speed of the engineers' bridge-building. Mr Bell concludes: "General Monash's daring and genius are written all across the landscape of France from Amiens to the Hindenburg line," Mr Bell is one of the most brilliant American correspondents in Europe. EFFECT OF ALLIED PROPAGANDA. (Received September 22nd, 5.5 p.nO WASHINGTON, September 20. A captured order issued by General von Hutier reooonts how the Allies' ;

propaganda is making headway amongst the German soldiere on the Western front. General von Hutier alludes to i Lord Northcliffe as a rascal. He points ont that the Allied airmen are constantly dropping leaflets into the trenches, and orders men immediately to deliver such leaflets to the higher officers. PANIC AT METZ. EVACUATION" OF TOWN BEGUN. (Australian and X.Z. Cable Association.) (Received September 22nd, 5.5 p.m.) IX)NDON, September 21. The "Daily Telegraph" Milan correspondent says:— A Swiss message states that there is a serious panic at Metz. The inhabitants have begun the evacuation, despite the Governor's declaration exhorting calmness. The Governor adds that the authorities' recommondation in favour of the evacuation of the town and environs does not imply immediate danger. Nevertheless, the banks have transferred their funds and books to Karlsruhe. Some have entirely transferred their business thither. The public archives have .been removed. Meanwhile, the evacuation proceeds. The well-to-do people have gone, ond the military have made preparation to remove the entire population if necessary. The State-owned railway has been ordered to mobilise rolling-stock for that purpose. Continuous air raids intensify the prevailing alarm. The arrival of refugees at remoter towns has caused apprehension. The newspapers seek to allay the alarm by stating that vigorous defensive measures have been planned. STATEMENT BY GENERAL MARCH. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received September 22nd, 11.15 p.m.) WASHINGTON, September 21. General March, in an interview, said that the Germans' now line extends from Mailery to Van dices in the Moselle region, and had stopped further American advance. The Americans were now within- ten miles of Metz, and an equal distance ' from Conflans. Major-General Reed, commanding the Fifteenth Scottish Division, had highly praised tho American Artillery Brigade for their effective 00-operation with the Scots.

THE BATTLE OP THE RIDGES. AUSTRALIANS SHARE IN VICTORY.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, September 20. Mr Percival Phillips writeß: —Tho battle of the Ridges, fought by the Third and Fourth Armies, proved 090 of the most satisfying victories since August Bth. As the day wore on tho enemy's. discouraged troops began to wilt under the steady British pressure. A grand Gorman counter-attack at fivo o'clock proved a complete failure, the Germans being broken. Officers taken prisoner attribute our victory to the smoke screon, which blinded them. Others simply cursed their men, who would not fight. The honours of'tho day wore shared by battalions from all parts of Britain. The first Australian division took Hargioourt and Villorot and the fourth Australian Lo Verguier. Both divisions went through to the Hindenbiirg qutpost system near the canal, which they stormed and held the greater part by nightfall, completing its occupation so far as concerned their front by & fresh attack just before midnight. The Germans opposite two Aiustrahan, divisions held a series of well-fortified, positions with three divisions, tho Thirty-eighth and Fifth Bavarian and the il9th Austrians, and commenced the attack in front of the canal at eleven o'clock in the morning. They had made an offort to go over tho naked country from one ridge to another, across a valley swept by machineguns, and then through deep belts of wire. Before noon tho Australians wero through the wire, fighting their way along the first trenches" on tho northern half of the front. They* wero held up bv a sunken road on tho south, but waited patiently unt'l eleven o'clock at night. Thoy then attacked, clearing the road and going through the remainder of tho Hindenburg outpost system. The last advance of tho First and! Fourth Australian divisions took the British Armv where it had never boen. In this regfon we now have complete l observation alonsr the canal, and over nil the country behind it. ; The English and Scottish troops on the An&tra'ians' right had harder fighting. attacking over extremely difficu't, well-defended ground between Pontru and Holnon. At tho same time the Fronch attacked the Manchester Redoubt, a historic mound which w°s defended to the last 1 man on March 25th by the Mnnchesters. < Tho British losses were sl : ght. Many Battalions took twice as many prisoners ] as they had casualties. The spirit of the German divisions generally was not good. £

A BLACK I>AY FOR THE ENEMY. » LONDON, September 20. i. Mr Philip Gibbs writes:—Wednesday wns one of the great days of tho > war. It was far more important and • successful than I guossed when I went i among the Australians early in. the j day. It developed into a big victory . before nightfall.* After many hours P of desperate fighting we are no'w overlooking tho main defences of the Hin- - denburg line. 3 The enemy launched vary fierce counr ter-ntfcanks against Gmiche Wood, j which the Seventh I>ivision of Lancashire and Yorkshire troops crushed with superb courage. Tne achieve- } ment was the more memorablo because ' the divisions had been fighting incesi snntly since August Bth. [ Meanwhile the enemy was making a 4 fierce attack at Moeuvres and Havrin- ' court. The German commander or- ! deretl the Sixth Division to break tho 1 British line, and gave forty batteries . to help the attack. The Germans ad-. ; vancea under cover of a frightful lino i of fire, but the Guards v/oro-there, andl the glorious old Third Division, who 1 were the heroes of the defence of Arras i last April. They found quick targets among these masses of Germans, andl slaughtered them. It was a black day fo- Gorman hones and manhocd. The Twenty-first D : vis : on, inrlndina tho Lincoln* and Loieosters. .fislitingj south of Villers-Guislain, captiired the famous position of Vaucolette Farm. Advancing, like the Australians farther south, imder cover of a dense smoke screen, the Lincolns and Leicesters so confused tho enemy that the farm was surrounded before a shot was fired. Near at hand were the Wiltshires, and they met the Germans advancing to counter-attack in the Linnet Val- < ley. The Wiltshires never halted to consider withdrawal, but charged straight into the German wave of assault.and destroyed it, capturing eight 1 field guns. i It must nover he forgotten that i these men of the Seventeenth and i Twenty-first Divisions suffered griev- < ously in the March retreat, yet they fought their way back, and recaptured all the old ground. Our Easterm County men had a verv hard time at" £ Epehy, where tho German Aipino £ Corps fought like tigers. Epehy contained a strong earthwork, called tho Fisher's Keep, which was finally taken after a trench mortar bombardment. The Londoners repulsed counter-at- 1 tacks throughout the day and night, i Further south, nearer St. Quentin, c were the Buffs, Sherwoods. c and Norfolks, fighting at Holnon. andl t near by were the Camerona and Black t

Watch at Berthaucourt and Fresnoy le Petit. , , Some of the Germans of _tho 119 tiT Division ran away panic-stricken, but small bodies of brave men kept the machine-guns busy in copses.