GERMANS BEING DRIVEN INTO POCKET SOUTH OF SOMME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16926, 12 August 1918, Page 5

GERMANS BEING DRIVEN INTO POCKET SOUTH OF SOMME

BOTH FLANKS OF THE GREAT SALIENT NOW IN PERIL.

NEW POSITION NORTH OF MARNE MAY BE AFFECTED. Reuter. (Recoived 6.5 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 10.

What the Paris papers enthusiastically style the " British revenge" is progressing in a fashion unprecedented in any previous British offensive. The advance is slower north of the Somme than elsewhere, as the succession of ravines • there favours defensive tactics, but the troopii are back on their old lines south of the Somme. Generally speaking, the salient, broadened both at the apex and base by yesterday's successes, is now so seriously exposed on the flanks that the Germans, as at the Marne, are being driven into a great pocket south of the Somme, with their backs to the river. They will need the most desperate efforts' to maintain themselves there, while a retirement will imperil the flank of the new positions to which they have been driven from tho Marne. The crucial point is Chaulnes, which is an important road and railway centre, and is the place where the British advance attained its greatest depth. Its capture is bound to precipitate the German withdrawal from tho Montdidier salient. Some experts think it possible a German attempt to escape these difficulties by another drive towards tho Channel porta, but on the other hand it is pointed out that Marshal Foch's present thrust precisely anticipated such a move by necessitating further inroads on Prince Kupprecht's reserves. As it is expected Foch can now deal other rapid blows, the prospects of any effective German retaliation are regarded as diminishing. This is practically admitted by the German newspapers, which are now talking of new defensive strategy, designed to spare the men.