FRENCH ARREST MAIN THRUST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16876, 14 June 1918, Page 5

FRENCH ARREST MAIN THRUST

AWKWARD SALIENT ABANDONED

EXTENSION OF THE OFFENSIVE

FIGHTING ON AISNE SECTOR

French official reports state that in the sector between Montdidier and the Oise the enemy has been unable to advance, except at one point west of Chevincourt. where, after repeated attacks, the Germans gained a footing on the southern bank of the Matz. The salient west of the Oise created by the German advance to Ribecourt has been extin* guished by an orderly retirement to a shorter line. The battle has extended further east, and there has been fierce fighting uetween the Aisne and the northern edge of the ViHiers Cotterets Forest. The French counter-attack on Tuesday afternoon fore» stalled an enemy attack. It was materially assisted by British air squadrons which not only kept the sky clear of enemy machines, but vigorously attacked the enemy infantry. Since the action on this front began the allied airmen have accounted for 29 enemy machines and dropped 21 tons of bombs. Reuter's correspondent at French headquarters states that the general impression is that although the battle in the Montdidier-N'oyon region may continue for some days longer, the enemy rush has been stopped. The main objective on the first day was the wooded country between the Oise and the Matz, which the enemy finally turned after three days' hard fighting. His objective for the second day was Compiegne, which is still well beyond his grasp. The losses he sustained throughout have been very heavy. Sir Douglas Haig reports a successful raid by the French forces at Locre, west of Kemmel, on the Flanders line. Apart from this incident, nothing of note has occurred on the British front.