Enemy Masses Artillery

Manawatu Times, Volume XL, Issue 13949, 30 July 1918, Page 5

Enemy Masses Artillery

To Resist Advance Division Stricken with Panic Ran Like Rabbits [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received Tuesday, 12.15 a.m.) LONDON, July 29. S The “Daily Chronicle's” correspondent'at French Headquarters writes early on .Sunday morning: Allied patrols, making their way ahead, reached Fere-on-Tardenois, which will soon he in our hands. The German opposition in the centre is much less determined than on the wings, hut the enemy has massed many guns on the western flank along the Aisne, near Chavigny. His guns were hastily withdrawn in the centre, while the troops were engaged in a- fierce rearguard "battle. The Germans south-west of Rheims are also trying to hold fast under the protection of massed artillery round St. Thierry. The sudden panic of a German division at the height of the battle on Thursday had much to do with the final failure of the troops to defend the Maine. The Germans defending positions north of Jaulgonne were seized with panic and dropped their arms and ran like rabbits, with the Franco-Ame-ricans in hot pursuit. The German high command threw in two fresh divisions, which were brought up in motor lorries, and retarded the Allied advance during the night, hut the rest of the Germans were forced to abandon the Marne.