THE CAMPAIGNS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17815, 13 June 1918, Page 4

THE CAMPAIGNS.

The battle between Montdidier and the Oise has rapidly increased in intensity, and Tuosday brought fresh troops into the struggle on both sides. The Germans pressed their attack particularly in the centre and against tho French right wing on the Oise, and at one stage of the fighting they reached the Arohde, a little stream that runs east to the Oise. The French, however, delivered a powerful counter-attack on the left and in the centre, with tho result that they threw tho Germans out

of Mery and Belloy. Further cast tho Germans were driven beyond Antheuil, towards Marqueglise. Bitter fighting occurred at Chevincourt and Machomonto, on tho lower Matz, where the enemy was making tho most determined efforts to reach the Oiso below Ribeoourt. In ah this fighting the conditions have been similar to those that obtained in Flauders, with the differonce that in tho Flanders offepsivo the Germans obtained an unexpected measure of success in tho initial attack, and wero consequently able to mako considerable progress before they wero stopped. In tho present battle the French resistance has been superb from the outset. Tho Germans have been able to advance only by employing masses of men and paying a terrible price, and at every stage tho French, though compelled to give ground under tho superior weight of tho enemy, havo retireu in good order, fighting all tho time. Tho recovery of Belloy confines the German advance virtually to a front of ten miles, on both flanks of which the French arc holding their ground. Obviously tho results of tho offensive will be disappointing in tho extreme to tho Germans unless von rfuticr can widen the front of his advance; and wo must look, therefore, for 6trong thrusts south and south-east of Montdidier. Ono critic suggests that the purpose of this offensive may be merely to involve some of General Foch's reserves, and, of course, it is quite conceivable that the enemy would feint towards Paris while reserving his main attack for another sector, but this offensive has always appeared to us to bo so obvious a sequel to tho advance to the Marno that it would seem folly to minimise its importance.

There has been some activity on tho British front, especially south of Albert, where British and Australians attacked successfully about Morlancourt. The French and Americans, too, havo continued their attacks between tho Ourcq and the Marno. Curiously enough, we have had no recent news concerning Rheims, where tho situation was represented to be very critical. At one timo, it will bo remembered, tho evacuation of the city was said to be inevitable, but tho defenders must have been showing remarkable tenacity.