THE H.B. TRIBUNE. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 1918. THE WESTERN BATTLES.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VIII, Issue 216, 14 August 1918, Page 4

THE H.B. TRIBUNE. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 1918. THE WESTERN BATTLES.

As has been the case with each of the offensive movements of this year’s campaign, that launched by the Allies between the Anere and Montdidier has settled down to sheer hard fighting, while its extension from Montdidier to the Oise—yesterday's cables spoke of it as Foch’s third offensive—is quickly acquiring the same character. The first days—long or short according to the strength of the defending side’s reserves and the facilities for throwing them into the battle—have passed during which precise knowledge of where the blow was to fall and complete preparation for it, combined again 'in this case with a definite element of surprise, gave opening advantages enabling rapid progress. As a consequence today’s news so far to hand reveals but' little appreciable change in the situation so far as the front of original attack is concerned. On it a stem struggle is now going on betokening the enemy’s recoverv from the demoralisation that attended the first unexpected assault by the Allies and also indicating the calling in of effective reinforcements. There is little room, therefore, for further comment on the situation as it is affected by movement on the northern section of what is really now a single operation. It may, however, be noted that to-day we are being told again of the capture of Proyart already, a couple of days back, announced to be in British hands, suggesting that either the earlier announcement was premature, or that the place, a couple of miles south of the Somme, was retaken bv the enemy. Then, again, the puzzle as to whether we have actually got possession of Chaulnes or not is made no easier of solution by the report early to-day from New York that “the Allies have renewed the offensive east of Chaulnes,” while our latest previous reliable advices indicated Lihons, a mile or more west of Chaulnes, as the limit of our advance in this neighbourhood. As has been before said, however, this important railway junction must at least now be under heavy fire from the Allied guns, which by this time should be on the spot in’ effective range and numbers.

On the southern sector, which max noxv be described as stretching from the neighbourhood of Itoye to tin Oise, the French, if we may .accept without reserve the joint tidings oi New York ami London messages jusi. to hand, have secured some verx definite advantage. Not only have i uey carried their ad ya m.-e < artxvan. from Montdidier a little closer to the other important c-. litre of enemy communication named, bill the norltieasterly sweep, of Geiunai Humbert's advance is now approaching it closely on the south. Further, ano still more significant, the American message str.ii.es that the I'rciwl. “have conquered Laxsigny massif.' The London report, on the othei hand, merely speaks of tins rii.liy having been “reached,” the Gcriiiiui: still holding the northern coiner. n. any event, the news is good, as n means tnat, whether from it az ci being cut off from northern communications, or as the result of inability to withstand French pressure,’the enemy is going graduallx backout of the rugged country whir!, cost him to much to gain a couple oi months ago- It may thus be taken tnat both Royc and Lassigny an closely threatened, mod that the announcement of their capture is prob ably only the matter of a day or txvo’s waiting. iSo far, xve are not apprised of any further movement on the French right wing which had pushed a little way up the right bank of the Oise. Probably no great effort is being put forth here, as. success on the neighbouring part of the front would automatically bring about an enemy retirement along the river. An indication of this being imminent may perhaps be found in the word from New York that the Germans are evacuating tlieir trenches west of Bailly, a village

.vliicli lies on the left bank of tne Oise, at. the head of a very sharp eastward bend in its course. The evacuation mentioned will therefore. ,in all probability,,be confined to the line running along the southern arm of this bend, and will scarcely affect that on the eastern side of the river. Of course any further retirement on the western side will necessitate a on the other bank, and. then we may see the beginning of the extension of the battle-line until it eventually links up with the present active front between Soissons and Reims.

On the front last mentioned, now running along the course of the Aisne and its tributary, the Vesle. matters appear to be at a, virtual standstill. Of the sector on the Aisne we. have heard nothing since the enemy sought refuge behind the river defence from the pursuit of the Allies advancing from the Marne. On the Vesle sector, however, there; has been a good deal of fighting, in the course of which the Allies have effected crossings at two or three points, establishing bridgeheads, but being unable to develop the advantage further in the face of strong enemy resistance. To-day we are told that the Americans, who had effected a crossing at Fismes, had to retire over the river before a fierce German assault, but, counter-attack-,ing with great energy, they recovered their footing. It is suggested that there is no likelihood of any material development on this front until the Allies can bring up sufficient artillery to assist the infantry in their effort to drive the enemy behind the Aisne. Should this be the case, further movements here may be expected very shortly. It was, however, hinted the other day that Allied pressure north of Reims, where we are already on the northern side of the Vesle, might so endanger the enemy’s communications as to hasten the execution of his probable intention to eventually establish his line north of the Aisne.