FRENCH DRIVING THE ENEMY BACK TO OLD LINES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16950, 9 September 1918, Page 5

FRENCH DRIVING THE ENEMY BACK TO OLD LINES.

GERMAN RESERVES REDUCED BY A DIVISION A DAY. Reuter. LONDON, Sept, 6. Reuter's correspondent at French headquarters, writing last night, says: The enemy is retiring to the line of La Fere, the left bank of the Oise, Barisis, the lower forest of Coucy, and the forest of St. Gobain, and is preparing to flood the country. General Mangin has occupied Moyenbrie, 1000 yds beyond Coucy, and is advancing on Laffaux and the edge of the valley traversed by the Soissons-Laon railway. The Germans are retreating on the whole French battlefront. Their immediate objective is from St. Quentin across the valley of the Oise, around the forest of St. Gobain to Laffaux, then past Malmaison to the Chemin dcs Dames, then from Juvigny across the Aisne u Berry au Bac, south-east to Rheims, through the hill country, which has hitherto proved impervious to all assaults.. The enemy has to-day from 30 to 40 division? in reserve, but his armies are being consumed at least at the rate o::' a division per day. The question is whether the Allies will allow him to reach his old line except in disorder, and in such condition that he cannot Btay there. The next few days will decide.