FRENCH FORCE A RETREAT ON A FRONT OF 40 MILES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16980, 14 October 1918, Page 5

FRENCH FORCE A RETREAT ON A FRONT OF 40 MILES.

WHOLE LINE OF SUIPPE AND ARNES RIVERS CLEARED.

PENETRATION TO A MAXIMUM DEPTH OF 10 MILES.

MANY POSITIONS ON CHEMIN DES DAMES CARRIED. Australian and N.Z. and Router.' (Heed. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 11.

A French communique states: Before our incessant attacks the enemy was compelled to abandon on a front of 40 miles all the positions which he had been defending for days north of the Suippe and the Ames Rivers. Preceded by cavalry, which is' pressing on the heels of the enemy rearguards, our infantry, overcoming the resistance of the machine-gunners charged with the duty of delaying our march, has during the day. advanced at some points six miles, taking prisoners and capturing material. We crossed the Suippe and captured Bertricourt, Aumenancourt-le-Grand, Bazancourt, Isles-sur-Suippe, and St. Etiennc-sur-Suippe. The whole of the enemy's first positions north of the Suippe are in our hands. We are advancing in the wooded region west of Mcsnil-le-Pinos, in the direction of Retourne River, which we have reached between Houdilcourt, Sault, and St Remy. Farther, east we occupied the villages of Aussonce, La Neuville, Cauroy, Machault, Contreuve, St. Morel, and Savigny-Bur-Aisne. Continuing our progress we reached the outskirts of Bergnicourt, Ville-sur-Retourne, Mont St. Remy, and St. Marie, two miles south-west of Vouziers.

On the Chemin des Dames, the Italians co-operating with the French brilliantly continued to advance. They occupied VcndresseTroyon, Courtecon, and Cerny-en-Laonnois. We captured Cuissy-et-Geny, Jumigny, and Paissy Wood, and reached the Chemin des Dames. Numerous fires kindled by the enemy are reported in villages in the Oise valley, in the Guise region, attesting the systematic intention of the Germans to destroy everything before they retreat.

An earlier report stated: We maintained contact everywhere with the enemy, whose retirement continued at different points on the front. North of the Aisne We occupied and advanced beyond Moulins. Italian troops reached the south of Courtecon on the Chemin deß Dames, which we hold as far as the heights of Cerny-en-Laonnois. In the Champagne we gained a footing at various points on the north bank of the Suippo between St. Etienne and Boult-sur-Suippe. We also made progress at Warmeriville, .Vaudetrc and St. Vastes. Further cast, pursuing the retreating enemy, we carried Semide, Mont St.

Martin and Brieres.