GERMAN WITHDRAWALS CONTINUE

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 42, 17 August 1918, Page 7

GERMAN WITHDRAWALS CONTINUE

LASSIGNY MASSIF TAKEN

ENEMY'S SHORTAGE OF MEN

(BX TELBOBAPH.—-CNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPXRIGHT.)

(AUSTBALIAN-NBW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received August 17, 8.30 a.m.)

NEW YORK, 16th August. The German withdrawals on the Western front continue. The British have gained a mile south of Merris, and have captured Vieu Berquin.

LONDON, 15th August,

There is no present indication that the Germans are retiring behind the Somme. The enemy has mads a further retirement on the north-western part of the Lys salient, from a mile to two miles, over a nine-mile front. He is also withdrawing frord the Serre salient, straightening out the bulge there. The impression is increasing that the enemy intends to abandon the offensive. The Germans have been compelled to use thirty-five divisions of reserves between the Oise and the Ancre, and now only has on the whole of the West front sixteen fresh divisions in reserve, of which eleven belong to Prince Rupprecht. the latter now only holds the line from the sea to Albert. The front from Albert to Soisaons is held by General yon Boehm, who, it is believed, was selected because he did -well on the Somme battlefield in 1916. In view of there being only sixteen fresh divisions, it is doubtful whether the Germans will put up another big attack this year

(revter's telegram.) » LONDON, 15th August.

There are indications that the enemy intends to fight approximately on the line now reached, except to the southward, where the French are in possession of Lassigny massif. This will compel him to retire probably behind the Divette River, a small tributary of the Oise. •

(published in the times.)

LONDON, 15th August.

The entire Lassigny massif has been captured. Mr. Gerald Campbell states that the French are a long step nearer Noyon as the result of the capture of Ribecourt, but the appearance of fresh enemy divisions supporting the machine-gunners means that there is difficult fighting ahead. (AUSTRALIAN-NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.) LONDON, 15th August. The United Press correspondent states : "Signs are accumulating that, changes of policy have been imposed on the Germans by the Allied successes. Yon Boehm's appointment to command the group of armies astride the Somme, tinder Prince Rupprecht,. is significant. Hitherto only Crown Princes and Dukes have been named as army group commanders. A captured order signed by Yon Ludendorff says the internal situation and the condition of the German resources in men necessitate another drastic comb-out. Every possible clerk, storekeeper, and cuok must go on active service. It is reliably learned that the High Command refused requests for reinforcements, saying : 'We have no men to send you. You must make what you have do.' "