THE WESTERN FRONT.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16364, 8 November 1918, Page 7

THE WESTERN FRONT.

ENEMY RETREAT CONTINUES. NUMEROUS TOWNS AND VILLAGES CAPTURED. (By Cable.—Presa "Association.—Copyrifnt.) (Australian and N.Z." Cable NEW YORK, November 6. The German retreat along tho French and British front is accelerating. The French are near Vervins and Croman. (Received November 7th, S.o p.m.) -•LONDON, November 6. Tho British in Monday's battle on the West front took 15,000 prisoners and at least 200 guns. * (Received November 7th, 8.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, November 6. The Americans have reached Chenery, seven miles eouth-west of Sedan. (Received November 7th. 10 p.m.) PARIS, November 6. The Allies are now within six miles of Mons, and three miles of Maubeuge and Avesnes, •The German retreat is being, effected under intense bombardment by our guns, which are inflicting terrible losses. FRENCH OFFLCLAL REPORTS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Router's Telegrams.) LONDON, November 6. A French oommunique saya:— On the whole French front from the Sambro Canal to the Argonne tho German retreat continues. We have certain places a depth of ten kiloßietres. _ The First Army is gathering the fruit of the severe battle yesterday, for, crossing the canal, it completely defeated six German dm- ; sions and captured 4000 prisoners awl | sixty guns. We captured Guise in the ! first hour, and'the advance continued I without rest, and we reached at the end I of the day Barzy, Esqueseries, -LaVaqueresse, Crupilly, Mnlzy, R»meiy, Sains, and Houset.'liberating numerous civilians.' Further .on 'the right we hold La Neuville, Mario,. Bosmont, EBouleau, Bucy-les-Pierre]xmt, and Dizy-le-Gros. Heavy fighting winch occurred north-west of Chateau'Porcien also caused a general retreat of the Germans. Our line passes north of Wa- | leppe, Bannogne, west of Chaudion andl St. Fergeux. We captured Herpy, Conde, and Chateau Porcien. We crossed the Aisne at Nanteuil and in the Argonne, by a brilliant surprise, wo crossed the Ardennes Canal, and the "Aisne at Pousnergny and Sauville. (Received November 7th, 9.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 6 (5.25 p.m.). A French communique states: — Contact was maintained during tho night with tho rearguards of the enemy, who continued his retreat on tho whole front. This morning we resumed our progress east of.the Sambro Canal. We occupied Barzy. North of Mario we passed beyond Marfontaine and Voharies. The Italian troops fighting with us captured Thuel, and reached the rivulet of Hurtaut, 'southeast of Montcornet. West of RetheJ we occupied Barby, on the north' bank of the Aisne. French detachments crosscd fho Aisne at several points be-' tweon Rothel and Attigny. Farther to the right we reached the outskirts of Lamitz, and pushed forward as far as tho approaches to Lacassine, north-east of Chesne. SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S REPORTS. (Australian and N.Z.- Cable .Association.) (Beater's -Telegrams.) - • LONDON. November 6 (12.35 p.m.). • Sir Douglas Haig reports: — • Northward of the SanVbre River-our advanced troops pressed forward' beyond Mormal F.orest and reached thp main .Avesnes-Bavay road, south-eastward' of Bavay. We also progressed west-war(s of Bavay and on other parts ' of the battlefront. ■ AMERICAN -OFFICIAL REPORTS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) , (Heater's .Telegrams.) ' LONDON, November 1. An American communique states; The First Army crossed south-of Dun under a heavy cannonade, which frequently wrecked the bridges. Wo. fought our, way up- the slopes of the east bank, breaking, the enemy's strong resistance. We-captured the two hills of . Ghatillon Wood, and also captured Dun; In the afternoon we' : pushed a mile beyond. Another corps readied the river at Cesse and Lu'zy, an(f seized the forest of Jaulnay. "\\o captured Beaumont and advanced two miles beyond. We are now five miles from the Sedan-Metz railway. The Third Corps on the left advanced through a rugged forest beyond 6tonne. Fifty-one more guns were captured west of the Meuse. Seventeen enemy aeroplanes were shot down in air fights, and seven American. machines are' missing. (Keutcr's Telegrams.) (Received.November 7th, 10 p.m.) LONDON, November • 6. An American.official report states:— Wo continue our advance between Bar and the Mouse, our lin© extending from Duforddelimon Wood through Flabas, Maisoncelle, and Chenery on the line of the Mouse, which wo hold from Hospice Wood inclusive to Casey on. the heights eastward, of Milly;. thence to Dun-sur-Meuse.. GERMAN OFFICIAL MESSAGE. LONDON, November 6. A; wireless German ' official message states:— ' We have withdrawn between the Scheldt and the Oise. THE NEW ZEALANDERS' BRILLIANT FRAT. (United Service.) (Rceeived November 7th,. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 6.'" All accounts agree that the storming of Le Quesnoy was the most dramatic feature of - yesterday's battle. Mr Thomas says The New Zealand-, ers fought with resistless speed, and • achieved one of the most outstanding singlo feats in the war. (Australian and .N./t. Cable AiGOcifttion.) LONDON, November 0. j Mr. Philip Gibb's states:—Though tho New Zealanders have been fighting without a break for three months, their 6pirit» . is still high. Yesterday's achievement '•villi., rank as one of their most herc&o deeds. They stormed the outer rampart of Le Quesnoy in old-fasbioned style with scaling ladders, and made breaches in the walls. Only tho new-fashioned ma-chine-guns prevented them from storming the keop of the fortress. The first? invitation to surrender said, '.'You are completely surrounded. Enemy troops are far "eastward of you. If you surrender, you will be treated as honourable prisoners of war." Later invitations were given by entering through the breach in the wall, the New Zealanders shouting, "We promise honourable treatment.'* ENEMY RETREAT CONTINUES. (Australian and N.Z .'Cable Association.) (Received Novembor 7th, Ip.m.) LONDON, November 6. Renter's correspondent? , at. British Headquarters telegraphing to-day eays:

The retreat continues, but there is no question of a rout. We are simply pressing tho Germans hard and. they ore covering their withdrawal with a screen of mobile machine-gun defences. W& know that confusion and demoralisation exist- among the foe, but so strong is the ingrained training of discipline that the leaders manage to keep'the" men in hand. Heavy rains, while impeding us, are preventing the enemy getting away their guns, and other material. A SWEEPING VICTORY. THE CAPTURE OF LE QUESNOY. A GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION. (Bv Cable. —Press Association. —Copyrigkt.l LONDON, Novembor 6. Mr Phillips writes: — . Yesterday's victory was sweeping. Tho German defeat could.not ba more complete. The result, seen to-day in the booty talcen yesterday, shows a steady disintegration, of the German armies. One corps captured a' complete roadmaking unit, a derelict train, and a water supply column with waggons and plant. The New Zealanders crowned a splendid achievement at Le Quesnoy by breaking through, the Germant gun lines eastward of - tho fortress and taking a hundred guns. Our men witnessed the extraordinary spectacle of German batteries driven by their own teams into the prisoners' cage. Hie New Zealanders penetrated the waggon lines and rounded up tie transport and other batteries taken in ] the forest. Tho German . infan- | try. fought determinedly wherever the officers were present to enforce discipline. Le Quesnoy held ■ out all day long at the bidding oA a stubborn commander, who mot three invitations to surrender with . point blank refusal. Landrecies resisted 1 in the same way. Ofchor villages remained strong points until surrounded. The Mormal Forest gave ample cover, and abundance of wire pits enabled tho defenders-to delay, our troops, but in. • some ; places, where opportunity offered, they surrendered apathetically. Their conversation in tho cages was a never-ending chorus of defeat. The storming of • Le Quesnoy was a most dramatic episode. Tho old town, with its ancient ramparts, • was- often besieged, but never saw harder fighting than the New Zealanders made yesterday. The 'New "Zealanders were just westward of the fortifications. The division 1 on the right was ■ held up by machine-guns in a. chapel until .five tanks reduced them. Bombardments against the garrisoti failed to dislodge them. The. New; Zealanders tried ,to take Le Quesnoy by a frontal'attack. They reached the outer...ramparts .and were then held up by, machine-guns. The old fortifications were full of Germans.. Further advance' by that method was impossible. The New Zealanders then worked northward and southward, picketed-the.town,. and went' ahead towards Beaudighios and Jolimetz, which formed the German artillery line. Many batteries grouped under cover of buildings and hedges we're firing- furiously in order to protect .Le Quesnoy . Before any, could ibe withdrawn the New Zealanders wero swarmmg • anaon ff the guns demanding surrender. Without stopping to count i their trophies,- the New Zealanders. rushed tho waggon lines, cutting off -the transport, 'which was..on .'tho point: of galloping'--awas;. The.Le Quesnoy garrison. was first aware of tho catastropho when the -protective barrage suddenly ceased, leaving them perplexed but defiant. A British aeroplane flow overhead arid'drtjgned a message demanding surrender. • The only answer wa3 another outbreak of machine-gun fire. The New,' Zealand Commander, after, an <rinterval, sent in two parties, each with a German officer, pointing out the futility of further bloodshed, hut the garrison's commander sternly declined to surrender. ..Tho Now' Zealanders late in the- afternoon attacked again, pushed . through Cho ramparts, wiped out the machine-guns, and penetrated the streets. TJiey were obliged-to fight their 'way from barricade to barricade before the remainder . of the garrison, threw down their arms. Over, a thousand prisoners were collected from cellars gnd improvised liiding-places. " The capture, of; Lo Quesnoy will'be'remembered as one of the most thrilling episodes in this campaign. It is believed to be-the first time that a besieged town has been formally summoned to submit by British troops. NEW ZEALANDERS' HEROIC ; . achievement. GERMANS' RAPID RETREAT. . (Australian and N.Z, Cable Association) ' LONDON, November 6. 5 War correspondents unite in praising the New Zealanders' capture of Le Quesnoy. They term it "A splendid achievement," "An extraordinary spectacle/' "Most heroic,'' "A most dramatic episode," "One of the- most outstanding of the war." , The Germans are retreating so fast that the pursuers have lost touch with them. is:rife,as.to where they .will .make ; .their., next , stand, and whether they .will attempt to hold the Mezieres-Maubeuge line, or go back to the Namur-Brussels-Antwerp line. A BIG ADVANCE. . • (Beiiter's'Telegrams.): - — ■ : (Received November 7th,-8:5 p.m.) ' - LONDON, November 6. The advanco of the Allies yesterday was the greatest' since' the opening of the offensive. . The whole front is now in a state of -flux. • The Allies at many points lost touch with the mam German forces, which, after tho - drubbing rer ceived in .the great Allied assault, did not lose a moment in beginning a fresh retirement to' avoid disaster, but retreated immediately darkness fell on the battlefield on. Monday.. A'few-hours' start was sufficient.for the main body to break .contact .with the assailants, who, when they resumed tho advance yesterday morning, wero hampered by bad weather. . Tho question now. is how far the enemy means, to go before attempting another stand. It .is. believed .that there may be a temporary hold on the Mezieres-Maubeuge line, preliminary to an eventual move, if possible, to the Mouse-Namur-Brussels-Antwerp line. , LUCKY AUSTRIANS. AMSTERDAM, November - 6. Austrian divisions east of the Meuse have been withdrawn as the result of the armistice. The adjustments caused grave trouble to the German command, their troops envying the Austrians their good luck.. THE KAISER'S GRATITUDE. (Australian and N.Z. Cabl* Association.) ' AMSTERDAM. November 6. The Kaiser has sent "a message to the troops on the West front expressing his gratitude at their extraordinary bravery t and achievements during the last fev. ; months, which, he said, had frustrated the enemy annihilation plans. ■ • ■ |

GERMAN ARMIES RETREATING IN I DISORDER. (Australian asd K.Z. C-ab'.e Association.) 'Received November 7th. (3.15 p.m.') NEW YORK. Xorember 6. , The newspapers point out that Germany's armies are retreating from Franc© and Belgium in disorder. J Oven if Germany could make good her retreat to the valley of the Rhine she could be invaded through Belgium, Luxemburg, Alsace-Lorraine, and through Silesia. Germany could not rely on tho aid of levies from Russia, because the opening of tho Black Sea awl tho Sea of IMarmora to tho Allied fleets will enable the latter to restore order in Russia and redeem hor people from German exploitation. RUTHLESS PLUNDERING CONTINUED. ("Tic Tim«a."l (Roceived November 7tli, 5.20 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, November G. | Reports from the frontier show that the Germans contintio tho ruthless I wholesale plundering of Belgian towns, ! despite tho recent assurances of selfimposed restraint. They oven deprive destituto women of 4 tho clothes and stockings they are wearing. The ransacking of Brussels is proceeding. The whole contents of houses occupied by officers have been pillaged, including pianos and works of art. Preparations have been made to blow up the factories. Officers say that they will destroy all unless the Allies guarantee not to uso them before peace is declared. THE SITUATION. MILITARY POSITION REVIEWED. (By Cable.—Pre«s Aasociation.—Copyrifht., (Received November 7th, 9.35 p.m.) LONDON, November G. The desperate hast G with which the enemy is evacuating material is shown by the congested state of .the railways and the reduction of troop transport to a ininimum. The enemy's situation >s more dangerous than it was a week ago. If tiie Allied pressure can bo maintained great results may ensue, but n view of ihe uncertain weather conditions it would be unsafe to rely on the enemy's military collapse." We have three railways available through the Trc'ritirio to concentrate on Germany's southern frontier, with other lines from Trieste. Saxony and Bavaria arc now in imminent danger, and the enemy has no adequate forces to defend them. * Some forty Gorman divisions are. still in 'Russia and Austria. All aro of 'nferior value, and comparatively illequipped, and it will take a long time to concentrate themto meet tho new danger. - If the Germans immediately retire to the Sleiise line they might economise sufficient troops and delay for a-time tho Allied advance into Bavaria and Saxony. It remains to bo seen' whether the army and people aro willing to continue tho hopeless struggle • with the certainty of 'total disaster. Tho enemy's supplies of food and oil from the Ukraine, Roiimania, and Austria are now,-unobtainable. • • Preparations have been completed for the transfer of British troops by sea to occupy the Dardanelles and the Bosphor'us. ♦ The .Siberian: situation is unchanged. Good progress has been made in raising la Russian artriy there, and it now numbers2oo,ooo. . ' Wo" have Occupied Mosul, in - Mesopotamia, tho Turks-complying with "the armistice terms. 'Wo are now enabled to transfer a : largo number of troops from Palestino for service in Europe.