IMPORTANT BATTLES

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue LXXIV, 21 October 1918, Page 4

IMPORTANT BATTLES

Two very important Allied operations are at present being carried out on the West front, and in each case a strategic railway is the main objective. The stiff fighting -eastward cf Le Gateau is not surprising in view of the danger o£ the German 'armies which are with difficulty carrying out the task of. evacuating the Laon salient. The Allies, from Catillon southwards, have evidently reached the line of the canal connecting Maubeuge with LaFere, a waterway that has no doubt, been of much value to the Germans. Catillon is south-west of Landrecies, the scene of a, terrible engagement during the great British netreat in 1914. The canal, however, does not represent the main objective, which is no doubt the section of railway line connecting Valenciienne©, Maubeuge and Hirson, a section ox the great line that runs' from the Lille system to Metz. If the British .are in Quesnoy, as reported in one message, then there is ©very indication of the ValenciennesMaubeuge section being render-ed use-: less to the enemy; Hut the more important move is that at Wassigny, which aims at the junction at Hirson. The enemy is fighting desperately in this area, but he has not 'Succeeded in holding some of the points that were vital to the railway system on which he must depend for has retreat. The Osecond important operation is that on •the Meuse, where the Americans are steadily regaining difficult ground and drawing closer to the Mezieres-Mont-medy-Metz railway. If these sections of the great communication can be captured, the enemy contained in the area south of the railway will be in a hopeless position, and a second Sedan .seems within, sight. Of course, the enemy may effect his escape in time, but he has considerable strength on the Oise front and on the line from the Serre to the Meuse. The whole position, is full of interest and great possibilities; on the one hand, the enemy is seeking to withdraw as speedily and at as little loss as possible, while the Alliesl axe making every effort to seize points of strategic value, to break the enemy's centre and to carry to completion the which have been planned by Marshal Foch and his commanders for the destruction ou" the German armies before they can arrive back on their own soil. This week may see decisive events in the central area.