ENEMY STORY OF BATTLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16906, 19 July 1918, Page 5

ENEMY STORY OF BATTLE.

HEAVY FIGHTING REPORTED FRENCH COUNTER-ATTACKS. A. and NZ.-Mtor. LONDON,JuIy 17. A German official message states:—During the advance across the Marne to the. south of Jaulgonne, we broke in.the enemy lines and penetrated part of the French positions south-west and east of Rheims. Artillery, minethrowers, gas-throwers, flame-tlu-owers, and tanks opened a way into the enemy positions. General von Boehm crossed the Marne east of JauL gonfie. The Germans stormed the slopes on the south bank of the Marne, constructed bridges, thrust throngh stab-bornly-defended woods, and drove the enemy back towards Condo, La Chapelle, Combligny, and Marequil, and also won the first Franco-Italian position between the Ardre and the Marne. We also attacked the enemy from Pranay as far as Tahurc, in the Eastern Champagne, capturing first positions. We crossed the Mont Cornellet, Hockberg, and Kielberg heights, reaching north-west of Prosjies. We also made progress between Auberivo, to the west of the Forest of Argonne, and south-west of Tahuro. The enemy maintains his second position north of Prosnes, Sonain, and Perthes. Our total prisoners are 13,000. We brought down 31 aeroplanes. A later German official report, published this evening, states :—The enemy delivered violent counter-attacks ■on the Marna front, achieving some local sue-., cesses south-west of Rheims. The situa- * tion is unchanged cast of Rheims!' ' An Austrian official wireless message . states.: We repulsed four powerful Italian ; assaults on Monte Pertica and. with very heavy enemy losses. .