FRENCH BRILLIANTLY CARRY ELABORATE DEFENCES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16968, 30 September 1918, Page 4

FRENCH BRILLIANTLY CARRY ELABORATE DEFENCES.

OVER 3 MILES OF TRENCHES AND WIRE PENETRATED. LINE CONTINUALLY STRENGTHENED SINCE 1915. Australian and N.Z. and Rcuter. (Reed. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. Sept. 27. A French communique states: Yesterday's attack in the Champagne developed successfully from the Suippe to the Argonne. The first German positions, consisting of a formidable network of trenches and barbed wire over three miles deep, which the enemy has not ceased to strengthen since 191$, was brilliantly captured on a front of 22 miles and passed at certain points. Navarin Farm, the Buttes of Souvain, Mont Muret, Tahure, and Mesnil, and the villages of Tahure, Ripont, Rouvrois, Oernay-en-Dormois, Servon, and Nelzicourt, which were organised as points d'appui and obstinately defended, were captured on the first day of the battle after severe fighting. The prisoners counted exceed 7000. The enemy did not attempt to counter-attack at night. The attack was resumed this morning and is proceeding satisfactorily, despite 'bad weather. An earlier report stated: This morning the French and American armies, closely co-operating, attacked on both sides of the Argonne. The operations are developing under satisfactory conditions. The advance of the French troops west of the Argonne attained a maximum depth of nearly four miles. The battle still continues. Last night our bombers dropped over 21 tons of bombs in the region of Laon, particularly on the railway stations at Montcornet, Marie, and Laon. Numerous fires and explosions upon the targets were observed.