FRENCH OCCUPY WHOLE CHEMIN DES DAMES RIDGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16980, 14 October 1918, Page 6

FRENCH OCCUPY WHOLE CHEMIN DES DAMES RIDGE.

'PERILOUS ENEMY POSITION IN THE LAON SALIENT. SLOW RETIREMENT BETWEEN THE OISE AND THE AISNE. Renter. (Received 1280 »jn.) LONDON, Oot, 13. The French have occupied the remainder of the Chemin dea Dames ridge. fßeeeired 6.6 Ma.) LONDON, Oct. 11. Beuter's* correspondent at French headquarters, writing at midnight on Friday, says: General Gourand's army, which was checked for days by desperate resistance, made a most important advance across the Suippo. almost everywhere On the whole front of 20 miles. The Germans are making unmistakable preparations for a further retreat The advance in the Eastern Champagne is even more rapid.

Between the Aisne and the Oiso the enemy's retirement has beon unexpectedly slow. The position of the Germans in the Laou salient is most precarious, the British and French having cut the main lines. General Mangin's army is nevertheless meeting considerable resistance. The rate of advance has been prudent. General Deboney's army has taken 4000 prisoners in the last'lo days, all made up of small bodies comprising the garrisons of concreted centres, of rosistanco in the fliadenburg line.