PRODIGAL EFFORTS OBTAIN RESULTS

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 140, 13 June 1918, Page 7

PRODIGAL EFFORTS OBTAIN RESULTS

GH,FSD,.

OISE POSITIONS THREATENED

BATTLE CONTINUES WITHOUT PAUSE

(BY TELEGRAPH. —UNITED KRESS ASSOCIATIOK.—COPYBIGHT.) (AUSTRALIAN-NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received June 13, 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, 12th July. Mr. George Perris writes to the Daily Chronicle : Following the orthodox German plan, in order to avoid proclaiming a first-class failure, Yon Hutier has been obliged to throw in his reserves regardless of losses. ' It will probably be found that a hundred thousand.fresh troops were employed during the past twenty-four hours, and about twenty-five divisions engaged, of which eight have been already broken up and withdrawn. By this prodigal means pretty considerable results were obtained. The Germans forced their way down the Matz Valley in constantly renewed waves, and reached Marqueglise, Vandelaincourt, and Elincourt, thus turning the wooded plateau of Thiescourt by the south-west, and leaving the French cornered in a narrow range of hills before Ribecourt, with another salient across the Oise, consisting of the lowlying woods of Ourscani]) and Carlepont. The Germans secured less success on their right, though they are eight miles from Estrees-St. Denis and Cempiegne. Both these junctions are of some importance. Everywhere the French are fighting with fierce, stubborn bravery. As an example, .the dismounted men defending Fremont repulsed fourteen assaults on the hill, and the remnant of the garrison is still holding out.

Mr. Perris, in a later message, states that the evacuation of the Dreslin-court-Ribecdurt angle was carried out eariy this morning. This is a region of deep valleys and thickly-wooded hills; most favoui'able ground for infiltration tactics. The defenders, with the Oise at their backs, would have risked useless loss of life and material.by continuing to hold out. The line of the Matz River, five miles beyond the German point of departure, now marks the front on this side. To the westward the French have done better.

A new enemy drive last night, with masses of fresh troops, threw back the French along the Estree road as far as the Aronde Valley. The French reserves, however, were ready to intervene, and a fine counter-attack broke the German ranks and brought back the French to their former positions southward of Belloy and Marqueglise. One of the chief incidents of this admirable recoil t was the charge by black troops, supported by tanks. The strength of .the French resistance on this* flank greatly limits the value of such success as the enemy obtained. The artillery forces are approximately equal. Our aviation work is definitely superior.

Mr. Perris, in his evening message, says : The battle continues without pause. The enemy may regard the completion of the manoeuvre at Thiescourt and Ribecourfc as permitting a halt, and enabling him to bring up the guns and make good his losses. The problem of transport and supply is difficult in such a region. . . • -

The Germans are hurriedly embodying in the combatant units, particularly jn the artillery, men who hitherto have been regarded as fit only for auxiliary services. This indicates his anxiety regarding the available effectives. It is well known that the army's food situation is not good.