ENEMY FIRMLY HELD ON LEFT OF BATTLEFRONT.

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

ENEMY FIRMLY HELD ON LEFT OF BATTLEFRONT.

FRENCH STRAIGHTEN SALIENT EAST OF THE OISE. FIERCE FIGHTING DEVELOPS SOUTH OF THE AISNE. By Telegraph—Press issociation— right. Australian and N.Z. and Reuter. (Reed. 11.30 v.m.) LONDON. June 13—2.30 am {■ French communique states: Between Montdidier and the Oise the enemy renewed his pressure. All his attempts on our left to recapture the gains we made yesterday failed. We made progress in the region of Belloy Wood and St. Maur, and took 400 more prisoners, several guru and numerous machine guns. There is no change on the St. Maur-Antheuil front. The Germans on our right renewed their attacks on the Matz River. After several costly attempts they gained a footing on the southern bank, also the village of Melicocq, and the heights of Ricard Cross. Our troops east of the Oise on Monday night effected a withdrawal on to the line of Bailly to Tracy-le-Val to west of Xampcel, protected by a covering detachment which masked the movement. We repulsed an enemy attack in the region of Hautebraye and took prisoners. deceived 10.30 p.m.). TONDON. June 12-7.20 p.m. A French communique stages On our right the Germans, despite repeated efforts, were unable to debouch ; the southern bank of che Matz. We hold the south"-.- part oi Chc-G.'.oouri and the station .at Marest-sur-MRtz. Ac rdmg to 'ileat information our counter-attack >'**' ''- \ - .orftstalietl a powerful enemy attack which was, Long prepared on the same front. We i-rio-ninterH it ■■'< :-r."es, which we over-ran. Prisoners taken b> -.:., of <v u , - : \. :■ ,i>: belonged to four different enemy divisions. South of the Ai ne the Ge-'uans this trorning attacked between th ri'-er and the forest c' Vitliera Cotterets. Deeoerate fighting is occurring on the front from Don- vs to Cutry, .fcjuth of Ambleny. / An earlier report stated : Between Montdidier and the Oise the ' Artie continued without any great change last evening and night. On the left all the enemy's attempts to counter-attack were shattered. ■We made new progress east of Mery and Senlis Wood. The Germans, by violent attacks, also attempted to drive us back on the Aronde, and on the front from St. Mujr, through P?s Loges Farm to Antheuil. We bore the shock, inflicted very heavy losses on the attackers, and maintained our positions. The Germans are attacking betweer. the Aisne and the forest of Villiers Cotterets. Desperate fighting is proceeding.