FURTHER RETREAT IMPENDING

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 41, 16 August 1918, Page 7

FURTHER RETREAT IMPENDING

MORE POSITIONS GIVEN HP

THE LASSIGNY OPERATIONS

HUMBERT'S EFFORT RENEWED

(BY TELEGRAPH.—UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPXBIOHT.)

(AUSTRALIAN-NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received August 16, 9 a.m.)

PARIS, 15th August, It is believed that a further German retreat is impending.

(POBLISHID IN THE TIMES.) LONDON, 15th August. A further retirement north of the Somme takeß the German line behind the Somme battle-line of 1916. ;

(AUSTRALIAN-NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received August 16, 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, 15th August. The Daily News says : "The enemy's surrender of his forward positions vest of Bapaume may foreshadow an extensive withdrawal, because the positions were immensely strong. The movement recalls the German withdrawal at these points in 1917, which preceded the evacuation of Bapaume and Peronne, but there is one important difference; for in 1917 we held Albert." (AUSTRALIAN-NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION AND REUTER.) LONDON, 14th-15th August, midnight. Sir Douglas Haig reports : In local fighting in the neighbourhood of Parvillers we made progress. Following the enemy's recent withdrawals on the Hebuterne sector, the enemy evacuated his forward positions at Beaumont Hamel, Serre, Puisieux-au-Mont, and Bucquoy* Our patrols, advancing, gained ground around these villages. (AUSTRALIAN-NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received August 16, 9 a.m.) NEW YORK, 15th August. The French are advancing north-east of the Lassigny massif. The Germans are retreating

LONDON, 14th August. There has been terrific fighting on the top o£ Laswgny ridge. The French are pushing solidly down the far side, and meeting with the fiercest resistance everywhere, It may bo a couple of days before the enemy ia cleaned off, The situation between Rove and Chaulnes is stationary.

LONDON, 15th August. The Pall Mall Gazette states that general Humbert delivered a powerful attack on a comparatively short front this morning. It is believed that the operation was successful. It is reported that the town of Lassigny is already 111 French hands. The Allied airmen are increasingly aggressive, and have penetrated far to the rear; They report that reinforcements of men and guns are coming up to threatened points. The enemy is withdrawing his heavy guns elsewhere. He has destroyed light weapons, ammunition stores, and other implements wholesale, with the exception of food and clothing. <-•.■ ■ '■

LONDON, 14th August.

Mr. Keith Murdoch, writing on 12th August, Bays : "Though the German retreat has been temporarily checked, the enemy gives daily and nightly signs that he is facing the position with weakened morale. Neither the Australians nor the Canadians have had it all their ofyn way duiing the last two days, but substantial progress continues." ■ v ' ■