TERRIFIC BATTLE

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 July 1918, Page 5

TERRIFIC BATTLE

ALLIES PROGRESS CONTINOEi FOUR HUNDRED GUNS CAPTURED! _________ I GERMANS LOSE HEAVILY GREAT REJOICING. IN AMERICA

WESTERN THEATRE

ALLIES HOLD THE INITIA-

TIVE

BRTITSH STRONGLY OPPOSED.

LONDON, July 22. Mr Campbell, writing on the 21st inst., states that the initiative everywhere remains with the Allies.

The attack is proceeding' on an eighty miles' frontOwing to the re-establishment of Chateau-Thierry as a solid pivot, it is probable that the enemy will be forced back before Degouttes and the army in the sector Chateau-Thierry, Villers Cotterets, and Forest will otherwise be obliged to defend an awkward salient.

A pronounced French advance is likelier here immediately than further north. The British, after some advance between the Marne and Jtheims, are meeting with strong opposition near Marfraux.

Reuter's oorrespotulent at French Headquarters, reporting on the 21,st inst., states that the latest news is that the French hold the heights around ChateauThierry; they are thus enabled to dominate a large area. The French readied Ourchyle Chateau, further endangering the enemy.

On the Marne the latest reports state that the French here advanced between six and nine

miles.

The enemy is sorely pressed and made frantic efforts to counterattack with fresh troops, but did not succeed in loosening the French crip on the railway and roads. The enemy appears to have incorporated a new army. Between the Marne and tlie Aisne the stnff was composed of officers from Ukraine, whose s+nff work indicated slackness and disorganised effort.

GERMANS' DIRE PLIGHT

FIVE TERRIBLE DAYS.

LONDON, July 21

Eight of the enemy divisions which crossed to the south bank of the Marne, were never aMe to cross the hills overlooking the river from the south.

None of the enemy who lived to recross the Marne will ever fogettlie five terrible days they spent 'south of the Marne. The ground they held was overlooked everywhere by the Franco-American artillery observers. Enclosed in the narrow space between the river and the hills _ they offered a sure target to our artillery. For food and for munitions they depended on a, transport across bridges which were constantly shelled, and "also were regularly bombed by Franco-British airmen. They were never able to bring/across any artillery heavier than mountain guns and light minnenwefers. Owing to the superiority of our artillery they found themselves in the same position as the Austrians did on the south bank of the Piave,

xVs their communications were uncertain and unsafe, their losses from" artillery fire were startling, 50 per cent, of the total strength in some units being casualti<=""i

RETREAT ACROSS THE MARNE

ENEMY'S HEAVY LOSSES,

PARIS, July 21

Reuters correspondent says that the. Germans endeavoured to cover their retreat across the Marne by releasing- great columns of gas on the north bank. The French replied with a terrible fire. They let go squalls of shells, and a, rain of machine-gun bullets and bombs.

BATTLE CONTINUES

FRENCH PUSHING EOR-

WARD

Received this day at 12.10 a.m

THE BATTLE CHANGES

The French destroyed the bridge-, and covered both banks of the river with projectiles. The enemy lost 50 per cent, of bis effectives before lie completed the evacuation of the smith bank.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.)

LONDON, July 22, 4.20 a.m. A French communique states: The battle continues under favorable conditions on the whole front between the Marne and the Aisne. Our troops north of Ourcq are driving back the. enemy, who are striving to arrest our advance. We progressed fighting in the region north of Yille Mont Oire. Further south we are advancing east of the Parcy Tigny-Billy sur Ourcq /\ine and south of Ourcq. We made a big advance beyond the Neuilly front and captured heights east of La Croix Crissoles. Under the double pressure of the iFl'ra.uco-Americans operating between the Ourcq and the Marne and the French who crossed the river between Fossoy and Chart'oves. The Germans have been driven beyond the line of Bezust, German, nud Mont St. PereChateau Thierry is practically cleared. Northwards between the Marne and Rheiins there has been a most violent battle all day. The Franco-British 'in conjunction with the Italians are tirelessly attacking large enemy forces. We captured St. Ehphraise and Doilly and gained ground in the Ardre Valley.

The British at Coureon Woods captured four guns and four hundred prisoners, including eleven officers, of whom two were colonels. Despite storms and low clouds on the 12th, bur pilots felled eleven German aeroplanes. Franco-British bombers dropped six' ton'js! on (bivouacs, iconvovs, and concentrations. Fouck felled seven between the IGth and 19th, bringing* his bag* to the number of fifty-six.

ALLIES ON THE OFFENSIVE.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.)

Received this day at 9.15 a.m. LONDON, July 22.

Mr Penis says: The character of the. battle in three clays has undergone a deep transformation. By a single stroke, the Allied Generalissimo seized the initiative of the whole situation and have driven the Bodies back to the defensive everywhere., The first symptoms of the change was Yon Boelim's drawing seven divisions from the remaining reserves of the offensive, throwing them in between Soissons and Chateau Thierry, but a more heroic step was necessary, namely, the withdrawal across the Marne. This was effected under cover of darkness aided by smoke clouds. Strong rearguards protected the withdrawal against the French attacks from the hillsides overlooking most of the bridges. The majority of these rearguards, who fought with remarkable courage, were slain, while the losses 1 on and beyond the crossings were exceedingly high owing to artillery fire.

Ludendorff, when endangered, does not temporise, but boldly cuts his, losses. Yon Boehm's speed in transferring his army to the west flank possibly averted a, disaster; but the Allied success destroys Ludendorff's freedom of manoeuvre.

THE ALLIES VICTORY. AMERICAN JUBILATION. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) Received This Day, 9.5 a.m. NEW YORE, July 18. The church bells and the Cily Half bell rang in celebration of America's first great victory in the way. All the factory whistles blew and the vesels in the harbour likewise. The crowds in the streets clamoured to buy extra editions of tlie newspapers.

There is general rejoicing in official circles over the start of General Foch's great, flanking counteroffensive.

GERMAN COUNTER-ATTACK. . HEAVILY SMASHED. 1 AuMimiiiiji anil N.Z.. Cable Association.' Received This Day, 9.5 a.rn. NEW YORK, July 22. The Germans; heavily counter 'atiiicntOid between the Ourcq and tin Marne. The French smashed them. * The Crown Prince called in his owi: reserves and also Prince Rupprecht's facing the British in the north. THE ALLIES’ BOOTY. OVER FOUR HUNDRED GUNS. 1 Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.' this day at 9.30 a.mLONDON, July 22. General Maurice states that the capture of four hundred gams is the most striking- feature of the day’s news. This is the largest number the Allies have taken in any single offensive. The fact that we have lost none and the enemy have lost four hundred is the surest sign that we are prepared for the attack and the enemy tinprepared for the counter attack. The Germans claim that they crossed the Marne unnoticed. This was probably true, as the operation was not difficult. It is absurd to regard this withdrawal as a disaster. Wo have done the same several timds, but General Maurice underlines very emphatically the complete failure of the German offensive. Fighting is still heavy on the whole RheimsSoissons front, hut is going well. The appearance of the British southward of Rheims is a surprise. Interweaving of the Allied forces is often inevitable, hut it complicates the supply and administration and does not make for great strength. AMERICAN SUCCESSES. MORE GUNS AND • PRISONERS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) Received this day at 9.30 a.m, LONDON, July 22. An American communique states: Between the Aisne and file Marne the day brought fresh success. the enemy being forced to yield bitterly contested positions. We captured during the past few days over six thousand prisoners, over one hundred cannon, and many trench mortars and machine guns. FOCH’S BLOW. GERMANS UNPREPARED. (Australian and N.Z. Cable .Association.) Received this day at 11.30 a.m. LONDON, July 22. The Germans were assembling n new army when General Foch’s blow fell. It was largely recruited from Von Boehm’s force with a % staff hurriedly withdrawn from flic Ukraine. A TERRIFIC BATTLE. ALLIES STILL ADVANCING. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) 'Received this day at 10.30 a.m. WASHINGTON. July 22. The Allies are astride the Sois-sons-Chateau Thierry road and are progressing slowly. A terrific battle is raging south of Soissons. BITTER FIGHTING. FRENCH MAKE PROGRESS. I Heater's Telegram.] Received This Day, 12.45 p.m. LONDON, July 21. The fighting at Montagu© do Rheims is extraordinarily bitter. The north country troops sent into battle, yesterday were heavily engaged again to-day, but progressed despite the masses of enemy reinforcements. They captured Saint Enipluuis© and Bouilly, Between the Aisne and the Marne and south of the Ourcq, our progress is more rapid- Our line now runs through the villages of La Croix, Grisblles,’ and Epieds, moaning an advance of five miles from the west and three from the south. French infantry stormed the heights east of La. Croix and Grisdies. We took four hundred .ma-chine-guns and thirty cannon. It is evident that the enemy means to cling to the last to both flanks, of the present line, strengthening it if necessary with his left on Montague- do Rheims and the right on the plateau above Soissons. Ho could still present a. formidable defensive front on the great plateau running south-east from the Aisne, between the Vesle and the Crise rivers. AMERICANS CROSS THE MARNE. GEK MANS’ FEEBLE; RESISTANCE. LONDON, July 22. The Daily Mail’s American Meadquarters correspondent says: The Americans crossed the Marne, with little resistance bv boats and footbridges, clearing out the ravines and woods and machine-gun nests as they advanced. T] ie French were the first to enter Chateau Thierry, without fighting. The Germans had looted the town .and locked the civilians, mostly old people, in the Cathedral. Apparently the town was never strongly held. .1 he Germans evacuated it on Saturday, lire Americans as they advanced turned the captured guns upon the enemy. According to prisoners tire Germans are weak in a.rtillerying, due to the impossibility of bring up shells.

EUSSiA. ■ CZECHO-SLOVAK FORCES. A FURTHER SUCCESSES. PEKIN, July 21. The Czocho-Slovak forces have now occupied Klutshave.sk in Trans-Bai--0 kad. The Bolsheviks, are now concentrating a,t Vernenudisk. 11 ° , Semenoff, the anti-Bolshevik leader, occupied Sharusun. DEATH OF THE EX-TSAR. ROMANOFFS ’ PROPERTY CONFISCATED. and N.Z. Cable Association.) ’ Received this day at 9.5 U a.m. AMSTERDAM, July 21. Urals Soviets have announced 2 that by order of the Revolu--3 tionary Council the bloody Tsar is 2 happily deceased. t A decree dated the 17th de--1 dares that the Romanoff’s family - property, including 1 deposits in 2 Russian and foreign hanks is now ? the property of the RepublicThe Terrorists have taken the t ex-Tsnrina and Tzarevitcb to the . deep interior to a place unknown. - INTERVENTION IN SIBERIA. ’ JAPO-AMERTCAN AGREEMENT. | (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) Received Tin's Day, 0.5 a.m. WASHINGTON, July 22. . ' It is understood that a. Japanese--1 American agreement regarding intervention in Siberia, has been concluded, L General Pershing reports that the ' Americans captured six thousand prisoners and a. hundred guns up to ' Sunday. The Abies crossed the ’ Marne, capturing Barhilon Wood. JAPANESE INTERVENTION CHINESE PRESS FAVOURABLE (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) Received This Dav, 10.30 a.m, ) TIENTSIN, July 22. It is now r regarded as certain that ' the Japanese: with the Allies will intervene in Siberia. The newspapers ' almost unanimously favour the step. ■ OPPOSITION TO BOLSHEVIKS. STUBBORN RESISTANCE. . (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) I i Received Tins Dav, 10.30 a.m. STOCKHOLM, July 22. According to Moscow telegrams tho population of the Murman district .are stubbornly resisting Trotsky's mobilisation order. Whole villages are fighting the Soviets’ emis- ) saries. BOLSHEVIKS GIVE WAY. 1 GERMAN PRESSURE SUCCESSFUL. [ (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) Received this dav at 11.30 n-m. AMSTERDAM, July 22. It is reported that the Bolshevik Government has given way , to German pressure, allowing German soldiers to guard the Em- ' hassy at Moscow. "ITALY [ IN ALBANIA. ‘ ALLIES’ SUCCESSES. LONDON, July. 22. An Italian official report states that in Albania we carried Point 1071 on the crest of Nalyhilowes, taking prisonersThe French advancing astride of Devoli participated in the action. We have captured in Albania to , tin? 19th 22G7 prisoners, ten medium guns, sixteen field and , mountain guns, four trench gnus, two French mortars, thirty-eight machine-guns, six aeroplanes and much other material. We also .some hundreds of Italian and Russian prisoners. VALUABLE BOOTY CAPTURED. ALLIES WARMLY WELCOMED. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) Received this dav at 8.50 a.m. LONDON, July 22. Mr Ward Price states: The Italians’ booty in Albania includes all sorts of mechanical equipment, light railways, and aerial cableways, which are of extreme value in the country of primitiVei transportation. Tlie population warmly welcomed the Italians, declaring that the Austrians had starved and beaten them, and shot some on tb.e slightest provocation. STIGMA DINE CAMPAIGN IN AMERICAN WATERS. ' TUG AND BARGES SHELLED. NEW YORK, July 21. A U-boat shelled a tug and barges, and the people on board off the coast. The crew state that two barges were • sunk by a. torpedo, and a third by shell fire. Tire submarine fired a hundred shots at the barges when a few hundred yards from the shore. Several vessels went to the rescue. No lives were' lost, but one man was blown off and a youth was injured. An eye witness states that the U-boat was 400 feet long.

LN ENEMY COUNTRIES. FATAL RIOTS AT PILSEN, SOLDIERS' WILD SHOOTING (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) Received this clay at 8.50 a.m. BEKNE, January 22. At the re-assembly of tiie Austrian Parliament, two Socialist Deputies revealed that while a crowd of women and children were at Pilsen they surrounded a consignmnet of brerfd destined for Skoba. A squad of soldiers fired killing- five children and wounding- men, women and children, some fatally. The Deputies demanded the punishment of those responsible. The revelations caused a sensation (among- the public. ITALIAN PRISONERS. TALES OF ILL-TREATMENT. {Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) Received this day at 9.30 a-m. ROME, July 22. Italian prisoners returned from the Austrian concentration at Mont Dansen were all suffering from tuberculosis, the result of malnutrition. The soldiers' story reveals systematic ill-treatment. i CZECHS EXECUTED] MEN DIE GALLANTLY. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) Received this day at 9.35 a.m. BERNE, July 22. The hangman having- failed to arrive, three hundred Czechs, formerly in the Austrian Army but made prisoners in the Piave lighting for Italy, were summarily shot. All went to death calmly and gladly. The last letters home that they wrote gloried in such a death. .