WEST FRONT.

Evening Star, Issue 16852, 30 September 1918, Page 3

WEST FRONT.

ENEMY'S CENTRE YIELDS BEFORE FRENCH AND AMERICANS. CHAMPAGNE AND ARGONNE SUCCESSES. PRISONERS AftfD GUUS MOUNT. ENEMY REINFORCED, BUT COUNTER-ATTACKS FAIL. Australian gnd X.Z. Cable Association and Keuter. LOXDON", September 28. French communique : Yesterday's attack in tiro Champagne developed successfully from the Suippo to Argor.ne. The first Gorman positions—co:rsi«tu:g of a formidable network of trenches and barbed wire over five kilometres (three miles) deep, whiclt the enemv had not ceased to strengthen since 19l3—were brilliantly raptured on a front of 35 kilometres (21 miles), and passed at certain points. Navrin. Farm, tho buttca of Joiiain, Montmnret, Tahuie, and Mesnil, ami the of Tahuro, Ripont, Rouvi-ay, Gen'uty-eti-Dortnois, Servon, and Nelzic-ourt. which were or- j Snnised as points d'appiri, and obstinately j efended, were captured in the first da.v of the battle after severe fighting. Tho prisoners counted px.ieou 7,000° The enemy did not attempt to react at night time. The attack was rasrumed this morninjr, and is proceeding tsatisf aotorily. despite bail weather. Ottr troops to-day, tanks supporting, made a, fresh advaiuiii on the whale kittlefront. The enemy vainly attempted to arrest the advance. We progressed between Auberive and St. Marie-a-Py, despite violent counter-attacks. Eastwards of Somme-Py we crossed the Chalierange Railway on a front of four kilometres, advancing over two kilometres. Northwards and north-east of Tan lire wo captured a powerfully organised ccntoe of resistance at Gratreuil, and Fontaine-en-Dormois. Further east, on the light, our lines wove carried to a kilometre south of BoucouviJle, and wo. conquered Lecbelle and Cernav .Woods. Bince yesterday our advance at certain points reached "eight kilometres (about five miles). In two days the prisoners captured by the French exceed 10,000, and we also took much material. ' This morning the attack was resumed ab 5.30. We captured the village of Somme-Py, and carried the heights northward of Fontodne-en-Dormois. We have taken more prisoners and gun*. The battle continues. Betwee.i the Ailette and the Aisne the pressure of our troops, and north-east-wards of Sancy vigorous local operations, gave us ground and 250 prisoners. Including 40 officers. A counter-attack northward of AUemant completely failed. Further southward -we penetrated a ravine ; from Jouy to Aky, and occupied these two villages,. j

PERSHING'S FLANK. GERMANY'S SUCCESSIVE LINES. Australian and N.Z Cable Association and Reuter. LONDON, September 28. American communique : Our First Army continued to attack north-west of Verdun, and took Charpentry, Very, Epionville, and Ivoiry. Repeated hostile counter-at-tacks were thrown bark. VVc captured over 100 puns (of which 12 were heavy guns), many trench mortars, and hundreds of machine trims. Our prisoners now number over 8,000, including 125 officers. WASHINGTON, September 27.

General Pershing is continuing his drive in the Argonne, and additional prisoners and guns hare been captured. The German Guards Division, which fought previously at Belle.au Wood, has boon identified.

Mr James writes : Tin; first heavy German counter-attacks since the Americans advanced have failed. The enemy brought up large reinforcement*.. The Americans have captured Charpentry, Very, Epionvillo, and Ivoiry, and more than 100 guns. September 28.

Mr James writes : The advance of the First American Army on the Chanrpagne-Argonno-Meuso front is meeting with stern resistance by Germany's best soldiers. The Germans threw in at least four divisions within 24 hours. The enemy brought up several times that number, despite which. wo are satisfactorily advancing, and hitting at strategic points along the DannevouxMontfaucon line. Our advance is hampered by heavy rains, making difficult the work of bringing up the artillery, but this is proceeding satisfactorily. It is believed that Germany is forming what she hope* will be a solid line alonsj the "Kreimhild Stelltng " line, running through Orandpre, Champigneulle. Landres-St. George, Horn-nnge-Sous-Montfaueou. Brieulles, Hara.iiraont, Damvillers. The enemy have been preparing this line for a long time. General March, in the course of an interview, stated that the Americans have brokan the Ilindenburg line west of Verdun, and are now facing the now Kreimhild line. The total American advance exceeded five miles. The Franco-Americans have captured 1,500 prisoners west of Verdun. LONDON. September 27. The United Press correspondent writes : Tho American offensive in Argonne began at daybreak on Thursday, by a savage barrage of gas shells, which lighted up the skies for miles and drenched tho German gun positions. The German's worked desperately to improve their rear defences when they saw the front lines failing; but the Americans swept on relentlessly, killing the machine auimers and mowing down other obstacles with "baby" tanks, which only paused when they reaehed the mined bridges. A number of villages were captured by skilful encircling movements. The Germans to-day are throwing in their shock troops in an attempt to stem tho disaster. In places the Americans charged in 15 and even 20 waves. Varennes quickly fell. The tanks then went across country eastward to Cheppy, which was quickly taken, despite tho long-range anti-tank rifles. Renter's Telegrams. PARIS. September 28. Renter's correspondent at the American Headquarters, writing on Friday evening, says: We have taken what may be considered the Hindenburg line, but behind it is a string of trenches called the ''llugenstelling," and behind that, joined to it, arc the defensive works of tho " Volkerstelling," which connects a series of strong pliiccs. All these must bo passed before the. " Kreimhild Stelling." which, is the line on which the German main reliance is placed, can be reached. Montfaucon is the key to the whole of this front. It formed" a kind of hinge, whore the " Volkerstelling" joined the " Hagenstclling," to enable the German front to swing some 80 degrees from the south to prevent any successful exit from the Bois do Montfaucon in front of it. 'The Times.' LONDON, September 25. 'Tho TimesV correspondent states; General Pershing personally directed the attack. The men, realising the magnitude of the fight, went in like wild cats. Aeroplanes advanced in dense formations, many flying low owing to the mist. GERMAN AGCQUNT. THE AUSTRIAN'S ENGAGED. Admiralty per Wireless Press. LONDON, September 28._ German official: We repulsed partial attacks eastward of the Mouse, AustroHungarions especially distinguishing themselves. The Franco-Americans, advancing westward of the Aisne and eastward of the Argonne, employed numerous tanks. Our advanced posts, in accordance with orders, retreated fighting to the allotted defence lines. The enemy reached the heights north-westward of Tahure, and as far as Fontaine-en-Dormois, where the reserves shot the bolt to the enemy's local break through. The enemy's attacks between Auberive and south-eastward of Somme Py, also northward of Cernay, broke, down. Between the Argonne and the Meuse the enemy reached Montblainville, Montfaucon, and the bend of the Meuse north-east of Montfaucon, where they were brought to a standstill by our reserves. The French gained a little- ground between tho Suippe and the Aisne, eastward of the Argonne. American attacks were brought to n standstill southward of the Apremont-Cierges line. Wo evacuated Montfaucon in view of its threatened encirclement.