FURTHER FRENCH ADVANCE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXVII, Issue LXXVII, 3 August 1918, Page 5

FURTHER FRENCH ADVANCE.

NUMBER OF VILLAGES CAPTURED

ENEMY SALIENT PUT IN AWKWARD POSITION.

LONDON, Aug. 1. A French communique states: Southwest of Rheims a German attack on Bligny mountain was repulsed. The enemy made several raids at Four de Paris, on the right bank of the Meuse, but lost heavily.—Aus.-N.Z. C.A. and Reuter.

LONDON, Aug. 2. Sir Douglas Haig reports: Patrols during the night took several prisoners in the neighborhood of Merris. We made 4503 prisoners during July, including 89 officers.

A French communique states that north of the Ourcq French and British units drove back the enemy from positions between Plessier Hulen and the river. We carried the height north of Grand Rozoy, and advanced beyond the village of Beugneux, and reached Cramoiselle and Cramaille, realising here an advance of three, kilometres. Southwards we took possession of Cier°-es and Meunir Wood, north of the Dor-mans-Rheims road. After desperate fighting we conquered the village of Romigny.

Since July 15, on the Maine and Champagne front, we made 33.400 prisoners, including 674 officers. An American communique states: There were vigorous local actions on the Ourcq arising out of our attacks and enemy counter-attacks at several points. We captured the viljage of Cierges and advanced beyond. Otherwise the situation in this vicinity is unchanged.—Aus.-N.Z. C.A. and Reuter.

Reuters correspondent at French headquarters, writing on the evening of August 1, states that General Mangin's army attacked during the morning between Plessier Hulen and Fere-en-Tardenois. The troops, progressing favorably, occupied Hill 205. The operation is highly interesting, because it gives us a view of the enemy's rear to Fismes, and puts the enemy in the Hartennes-Arcy salient m a very awkward position.—Reuter.