A GENERAL SUMMARY

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXVII, Issue LXXVII, 19 July 1918, Page 7

A GENERAL SUMMARY

RESULTS OF -EARLIER FIGHTING

DESCRIBABLE AS GERMAN DEFEAT

CONTINUATION FOR SOME TIME

LIKELY

(Received July 19, 11.45 a.m.)

LONDON

,'July 18,

The enemy renewed his attacks westward and eastward of the Rheims salient capturing the western portion of La Bordonnerie village and the heights which tho French retook on Tuesday. The French, again counter-attacking, the Germans remained unable to debouch from Prur.ay. The advance has lost its break-neck speed, and a favorable sign is that the villages are changing hands repeatedly.

The enemy during the third day succeeded in advancing hi.s line towards important positions, which he may subsequently capture providing he possesses the requisite forces. On the other hand the enemy failed to gain the strategic advantages which arc a necessary preliminary to ;.he a ost converging westward movement which was the high command's plan. The German pincers have slipped in the Champagne between Prunay and Massignes, where a rupture would have enabled the enemy to cross the Roman road and roach Suippcs, and thence . Chalons. Here our line holds.

The German attack's have misfired and at only one point has h e succeeded in advancing.

To-day, after two unsuccessful attempts, the Germans at 11 in the morning, attacking on a -six-mile front, penetrated to a depth of a mile and a half at the deepest point. At Montagne de Rheims xhe advance was made at enormous cost. During the night, the French repulsed two violent attacks at Vi-igny and Beaumont-sur-Veslo. Th c French re-entered two vilages, which have been strenuously disputed, including Mont Voisiz.

The French artillery dominates the Marn-e valley, which is being heavily shelled. The French hold the whole of the high ground overlooking the valley, with the exception of one point.

The offensive which the enemy hoped to develop into a drive is now regarded as- a failure, and has become a .series of local disjointed actions. It therefore can truly be described as a German defeat, but probably the baitle will /continue for .some time, •with fluctuating results. The Germans are still in possession of a large number of available reserves, but it is b"I:ev("d to be likely, owing to this

failure, thai, the high command may determine to reorganise and use their reserves for assault on another part of the lin<-. The increased German artillery activity on the British front is rgarded an significant in this connection. The enemy at no point advanced one-third oi the programme distance, and he suffered colossal casualties. The French are full of hopf that the .-in-, my will <:ot in taking ! wl'M!!^. i"i'''':<_'!i tl;--y -Ml lif.-ipa lo tlu- vi-

mcst efforts to capture the city by ramming tactics. In the event of the Germans gaining possession of Montagne de Rheims the tenure of the city will become precarious.

It is evident that Ludendortf planned to rupture the Champagne front,' isolate the French armies and exploit- his success by local battles. Further stern fighting is inevitable, because the enemy will bo compelled to continue his attacks in order to cave his face.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aesn.