ENTRY OF BRITISH INTO SECOND BATTLE OF THE MARNE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16909, 23 July 1918, Page 5

ENTRY OF BRITISH INTO SECOND BATTLE OF THE MARNE

INSTANT ATTACK AND ADVANCE OF OYER A MILE. PITIABLE CONDITION OF GERMANS SOUTH OF RIVER. UNCEASING PUNISHMENT FROM ALLIED ARTILLERY. Router. (Received 7.80 D.m.) LONDON, July 21. Reuter's correspondent at French headquarters, writing on Sunday morning, says: British troops participated in the battle for the first time yesterday morning, between Rheims and the Marne, in the region of the River Ardre. They took up their positions at night-time, and attacked immediately with complete success, advancing over a mile.

The eight enemy divisions which crossed to the south bank of the Marne were never able to cross the hills overlooking the river from the south. None of those who lived to recross will forget the five terrible days spent south of the Marne. The ground they held was overlooked everywhere by the French and American artillery observers. Enclosed in a narrow space between the river and the hills they offered a sure target to our artillery. For food and for munitions they depended on transport across bridges which were constantly shelled and also regularly bombed by French and British airmen. They were never able to bring across any artillery heavier than mountain guns and light bomb-throwers Owing tp the superiority of our artillery they found themselves in the same position as the Austrians on the south bank of the Piave. Their communications were uncertain and unsafe. Their losses from artillery fire were startling, 50 per cent, of the total strength in somq units being casualties.