THE REIMS-MARNE BATTLE

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 16, 18 July 1918, Page 7

THE REIMS-MARNE BATTLE

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EVERY INDICATION.' OF A DEFEAT

(bx telegraph.—-united press association.—copyright.) (australian-new zealand cable association.) (Received July 18, 8.30 a.m.) ' . ■■■'■'■ LONDON, 17th July. The German casualties in the present offensive are estimated at one hundred thousand. ' ' . , The Germans' furthest point south, of the Marne is a gain of six miles, in the neighbourhood of Festigny. (Received' July 18, 11.30 a.m.) PARIS, 17th July. , The French stopped the Germans without calling in extra reserves. There is every indication of a German defeat. (AUSTRALIAN-NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION AND RETJTER.) LONDON, 16th July, 4.40 p.m. A French' official communique states : The battle continued towards the end of the afternoon and yesterday (Monday) evening with redoubled violence between Chateau Thierry and Reims. The enemy, accentuating his efforts to enlarge his gains, launched ruinous attacks. The fighting was particularly violent south of the Marne, in the region of .Chatillon. The French and American troops resisted the enemy magnificently, and countei'-attacked vigorously on several occasions. ..'•" , , . ' • ' South of the Marne the Germans .were unable to pass the line from St. Agnan, La Chapelle, and Monthonon, to the southern confines of the Forest of Bouquigny. We took one thousand prisoners in this'region. We hold Mareuilsep, north of the Marne. We held the enemy at the southern approaches to Chatillon and the south-eastern borders of Rodemat Wood. There is no appreciable change on the rest Of the'line. The enemy made no attempt during the night east of Reims. The. Germans, exhausted by a fruitless struggle yesterday, were unable to pass beyond our cover zone, which runs through Prunay, the southern borders of the woods northward of the Roman high road as far as the Suippe region, north of Souain and Perthes-les-Hurlus. Our battle positions have not been encroached upon anywhere. Prisoners report that the German losses yesterday were extremely high. ' (Received July 18, 9 a.m.) LONDON, 17th July, 1.25 a.m. A French communique states:" The Germans were unable to resume the general attack which was.broken yesterday, but made a violent endeavour to .enlarge their local successes. The fighting was particularly stubborn south of the Marne during the morning and afternoon. We impeded an attempt to advance up the river by a defence foot by foot,.and held it on the line CEuillyBuvoigny. We counter-attacked on the front of St. Agnan-La Chapelle-Mont Hodon. We took these places, and carried the line to the heights dominating the valley of the Marne, in the region of La Bourdonnerie. ..The French Italians, between the Marne and Reims, repulsed several enemy attempts," and- maintained their positions east of Reims. The Germans in the morning resumed their violent artillery preparations, after which attacks followed at several points; A powerful attempt was made in the direction of Beaumont-sur-Vesle, but the enemy was unable to debouch from Prunay. Our fire broke down two attempts west of the river in the sector of the Suippe. The fighting was equally lively east of Tahure, where the enemy attacked. . ■ J. . The enemy efforts everywhere were in vain, and storming troops were repulsed with heavy losses. , ' . Orders found on prisoners show that the attack on the Champagne front was carried out by fifteen divisions in line and ten in reserve. It was intended to advance twelve and a-half miles the first day, and reach the Marne on the right. . , (Received July 18, 8.30 a.m.) ' . .-■--' ' PARIS, 17th July. The Germans have advanced to La Bourdonnerie.