TWO NOTABLE GAINS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16969, 1 October 1918, Page 4

TWO NOTABLE GAINS.

While the British / have been breaking the Hindenburg line at* its centre, advances of the utmost importance have been made to the north and south. , .Passchendaele Ridge and half the , Chemin des Dames, both associated with weeks and months of bitter fighting, heavy losses,'and slight advances, have been recaptured'at a single stroke. Nothing could better; illustrate the extraordinary advantage which the Allies have gained -over the enemy than the : capture./, of - such strong positions at small cost. It j would appear that the .Germans, were preoccupied the British attack on Cambrai, and we're unable to concentrate ';; sufficient forces east of Ypres and north of the Aisne to hold positions; elsewhere on which they formerly set so much value. The Passchendaele Ridge is flanked on the" north-west ' by the ' forest of Houthulst,, and on 'the - ' south-west by- the.Messines Ridge. In 1917 Sir Douglas Haig elected to 'clear the Mossines Ridge and prosecute the attack from that direction. On this occasion he decided to gain the forest; of ' Houthulst first ' and take

PMMheiidttte Ridge from % north. The plan' succeeded brilliantly. The British and; Belgians have actually advanced' a "considerable distance beyond the limits ■of last year's offensive, and are nearer to both ' Roulers and Menin thrn ever before. The whole ridge mas actually'been captured, not only/the. heights, but most of 'the reverse ■slopes,'-' and it appears to be an open question whether the Allies wilprst break through the German front i here or at Oambrai. 1 The Chemin j de l: ; Dames is ■ also' half conquered, I 1 and the 'whole of the ", 'western; portion of the Aisne Heights won. The . ! Germans : admit \ a', retirement behind the. OisD and Aisne Canal,;which is carried under tit \ central point of the ridge in a tunnel. The great ! bastion of Laon is already seriously endangered, and in view of developments . elsewhere ,;. it is possible the Germans may make haste to evacu' ate it. ! i The broad outline* of the situation are that the German front is wearing thin east of Ypres, at Oambrai, and on - the Aisne HeightsIt may break at Tiny of these' points, and the difficulties of retreat will be enormously ': increased ,: by the instability of the line over : the whole sweep" from the k sea to Rheims, Meanwhile east,of Rheims;; Marshal Foch has■; gained fan' important advantage, which may be developed when the Germans out the western face";' of the great: salient J commence to fall back. '~ ', -