OFFICIAL REPORTS

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

OFFICIAL REPORTS

PRESSURE ON THE NEW

FRONT

HEAVIEST ON THE CENTRE

AND RIGHT

EFFECTIVE FRENCH COUNTER

ATTACK.

(AHS. AND N.Z. CABLE ASSN. AND RECIER.)

LONDON, 11th June, 4.30 p.m.

A French communique states : The chief German effort is directed on the BelloyMarqxiceglise fisnt. A powerful attack with large effectives succeeded in driving us at fh'st as far as the Aronde River, but a magnificent counter-attack threw back the enemy on his whole front and restored the positions on the line south of Belloy and south of Marqueeglise and Vandelicourt. On our right fierce fights occurred on the wooded hills north of Dreslincourt. The enemy, who had accumulated great force in this region, has been able to reach Antoval. compelling us to carry our line of resistance to the west and south of Ribecourt.

LONDON, 12th June, 2.30 a.m.

A French official communique states: The battle continues to-day from Montdidier to the Oise. On the left our troops, supported by tanks, counterattacked during the afternoon on a front -of 7^ miles, between Rubescourt and St. Maur. Notwithstanding desperate resistance we reached the southern approaches of Le Fretoy and captured the height between Courcelles an 9 Montemer. Wo carried tho enemy's lines for more than a. mile cast of Mery. We also recaptured Belloy. tmd Trois Genles, and reached the southern outskirts of St. Maur. The enemy lost heavily and left a thousand prisoners and several guns in our hands. In the centre, the Germans, who hiid succeeded in pushing to the south of Hogeu Farm at Antheuil, were driven back beyond both points. On our right the enemy, accontuating the pressure, sought to gain the Matz Valley. Several violent attacks at Chevincourt ■were repulsed. The 'enemy gained a footing at Machemont and Bethancourt, which are being bitterly disputed. Tho Americans south of the Ourcq brilliantly captured Bt>llea.u Wood, taking three hundred prisoners.

An American communique states: North-west of Chateau Thierry we again advanced our positions at BelUaai Wood, taking 250 prisoners.