LAON.

Evening Star, Issue 16853, 1 October 1918, Page 6

LAON.

MANGIN'S THREAT DEVELOPS. SWIFT ADVANCE EASTWARD ALONG AILETTE AND CHEMIN-DES-DAMES. NEW YORK, September 30. {Received October 1, at 8.45 a.m.) The Trench have reached the Oise-Aisne Canal (jodniiig the Ailette and the Aisne, in the middle sector of a tfne between Laon and Flames, and crossing the Chemin-des-Dames close to the Ailette). The Ur-ited Press London correspondent learns •unofficially that the enemy are ap parenUy retiring from the Ghemin-des-Darnes. [The beat military commentators in Britain and Franco repaid as the heart of the German line on the west front.] GERMAN DEFENCE GOLLAPSES. FRENCH PERTINACITY REWARDED. LONDON, September 50. -.(Received October 1, at 10.20 a.m.) Mr George Perris reports: General Cariowitz"s sudden abandonment of the Maimaison front (S.W. ol Laon) —ono of the strongest German positions oil the "west front—and his retreat behind the Ailette began on Friday nightGeneral Mangin's army lias been steadily pursuing the patient investment of the Malmaison Plateau by a concentric movement from the northward, westward, and southward. His troops engaged in fierce •nooanter on. Friday at Colombo Farm, and bombarded the whole region dxrrrog the night. A French patrol went out ab 6 o'clock next morning, and encountered resistance around the trained villages of Py and Aizy. But the exploding bombs and burning stores made it ele.ir whai was afoot. A general advance was begun by General Mangin at 9 o'clock between "Vauxaillcn and Vailly, and the French quickly reached past the famous hndmajr-e of

the Cfaemii>des-Dames. Violent explosions occurred in the moat at Fort Malmaiaon, but no one was hurt. The French advanced and reached Pin.on and Vandesbooi by the enemy. The puraimt coafcimted during the night, and on Sunday rooming we reached the old front on the Ailette. General Mangin'a left -wing advanced beyond the old lice, and reached Graridcousrt. iihreateninig Anizzy-le-Chateau. General Mangin is thus threatening Laon from the ■west as well as the south. ■it FRENGH COMMUNIQUE. ST. QUENTIN, AILETTE, AND CHAMPAGNE SUGCESSES. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Keuter. LONDON", September 30. (Received October 1, at 9.50 a-m.) French ccramunique: South of St. Qneniin we attacked on the front from Urviikra to Carisy (towards the Oise), and ejected the desperately resisting enemy iram. these villages, which are in our possession. Between the Ailetto and the Aisne we advanced to-day two kilometres on both sides of €foe CJhemin-des-Daroes, and occupied Pargny, Filairr, and the Filain-Ostel line. On the Champagne front our troopa aire following up their attacks, and,obtained important results. We captured on onx light Ba.TK»"OviH« > enlarging our positions to the north of that village. To the westward we carried Montcuvelet, despite bitter enemv resistance. The French,, pushing northward, carried Secbault, .and advanced two kilometres beyond, in the direction of Challeraniga. ; FOCH'S STRATEGY. A DESTRUCTION, NOT A DRIVE. PARIS, September 30. (Rajeaved October 1, at 8.45 a.m.) *Lo Matin * asserts that Marshal Foclvs plan i» to grip the enemy where they stand and smash them in irretrievable defeat.