FULL ALLIED STRENGTH IN USE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10088, 30 September 1918, Page 5

FULL ALLIED STRENGTH IN USE

BULGARIA FORCED TO SUE FOR PEACE GENERAL OFFENSIVE IN WEST >♦ THREE BIG DRIVES PROCEED SIMULTANEOUSLY [WORE GREAT BLOWS COMING By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. j iustruliaii and New Zealand Cable Association. {Received September 29, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, September 2i. The new British attack on the Sensee river within twenty-four hours of the Franco-American advanco in the Champagne indicates that Marshal l<ooh has commenced to use the full Allied strength. Blows on the biggest scale are now coming. _ Never before have there been two offensives simultaneously on this scale. DRIVE IN THE ARGOt^E FRANGO-AMERICANS PROGRESS SATISFACTORILY ASSAULT UPON KEY OF GERMAN DEFENCE ARCH. Australian and New Zealand Cable J£*£ w ! t,^S , Armies closely c-perating, attacked on both sides of the Argonne. The operations aro developing troops west of the Argonne attained a maximum depth of sis kilometres. The battle continues. . Our night bombers dropped over 21 tons of bombs in the region of Laon,. naxticnlarl/on railway stations at Mont Cornet, Marie, and Laon. Numerous fires and explosions upon the targets -were observed. SUCCESSFUL DEVELOPMENT OF ATTACK --. FORMIDABLE POSITIONS BRILLIANTLY CAPTURED. (Beceived September 29, 5.5 p.m.) HAVDON, September 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 trench, and barbed wire over five kilometres deep, which the enemy had not ceased to strengthen since 1915, were brilliantly captured on a front of thirty-five kilometres and passed a NavarirTFarm, the Buttes of Souvain, Montmuret, Tahure, and MesniV and the villages of Tahure, Ripont, Rouvroy, Cema-en-Donnois, Servon, and, Nelzicourt which were organised as points d'appui and obstinately defended, •were captured in the first day if the battle after severe fighting. The prisoners counted exceed 7000. The enemy dicf not attempt to react at night Th© attack -was resumed this morning and is proceeding satisfactorily despite bad weather. FRESH ADVANCE ON WHOLE BATTLEFRONT FRENCH TAKE OYER TEN THOUSAND .PRISONERS. GReceived September 29, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, September 28, 2 a.m. A French communique states:—Our troops to-day, with tanks supporting them, made a fresh advance on the whole battlefront. The enemy vainly attempted to arrest our progress. We progressed between Atlberive and St. Marie Apy despite violent counter-attacks. . } r J Eastwards- of the Somme we crossed the Challerango railway on airont ■of four kilometres, advancing over two kilometres northwards. rvorth-east of Tahure we captured a powerfully organised centre of resistance at Gratreuil and Fontaine-en-Dormois. Further east on the right our lines wero carried to a, kilometre south of Boucouville and we conquered Lechelle and Since yesterday our advanco at certain points has reached eight kilometres in two days. The prisoners captured by the French exceed 10,000 and much, material. ' . Fine weather enabled our aviators to co-operate to the fullest extent throughout the battle. Many tons of explosives were dropped in the rear of the battlefield at day time, and on cantonments, bivouacs, aorodromes and stations at night time.' Our fighting 'planes practically nullified the enemy observation. "We brought down forty-two enemy machines and set fire to seven balloons. ; - SUBSTANTIAL GAINS ON A WIDE FRONT Australian and New Zealand Cable Association. NEW YORK, September 27. The French have captured the Butte-du Mesnil and the Butte do TaIwire and Cernay with 7000 prisoners. _ They have also carried the German positions from the Suippe to the Argonne to a depth of three miles. PERSHING TAKES OVER FIVE THOUSAND PRISONERS Australian, and New Zealand Cable Association and Reuter. LONDON, September 27. The American communique, in addition to particulars already reported. The Ist Army penetrated the enemy lines to an average depth, of seven miles. Besides Major-General Hunter-Liggett's army, other troops crossed, the Forges Brook and captured the Bois do Forges and the towns of Bothin-, court Septsargos, Dannvoux, Gercourt, and Drillaneourt, in addition to the places already mentioned. The prisoners thus far are reported, to bo over 5000. PRUSSIAN GUARD FAIL TO STOP AMERICANS GREAT SURPRISE FOR THE GERMAN COMMANDER, Australian and New Zealand Cable Association. NEW YORK, September 27. Mr Edwin James (the correspondent of tho "New York Times" on the .West front) reports:— . , ,-, , r - u '■ .. , -, The American Ist Arm, under Major-Coneral Hunter-Liggett, attackeU between the Meuse and tho Aisne on a 20-miles front and smashed through the Hindenburg line. Our lino now runs through Forges Forest and Nantillois to the Mouse. , The attack started at 5.30 o clock in the morning after three hours ot intense artillery preparation. The brunt of the attack in tho centro fell on a corps composed of Kansas, Peimsylvanian, and Missouri troops, vino stormed Varennes, Mont BLinville, Vauquois, and Oheppy, in tho face of tho most stubborn resistance by the Prussian Guard. Tanks aided brilliantly in tho region of Varennes, and our airplanos held full supremacy throughout the advance. ' _ The American troops aro pressing forward beyond the old Gorman deience There is little doubt that Marshal Foch and General Pershing surprised tho German commander. Tho Germans expected an attack in tho St. Mihiel sector, and had reinforcements there. By 7 o'clock tho first Hindenburg defonco system had beon captured, and by 9 o'clock the second lino was broken. By noon tho Americans had passed through tho whole series of defence linos, well ahead of schedule time Many of our troops had never been in battle before, and wore elated beyond words at tho initial success against ono of tho strongest enemy positions.

BATTERING THE KEYSTONE OF THE GERMAN DEFENCE A REGION OF WIDE STRATEGIC POSSIBILITIES. , Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. NEW YORK, September 26. The Washington correspondent of the “New York Times” says;— The opinion of military officials hero is that tho keystone of the great Gorman defence arch on the West front is now under assault in the latest Franco-Amcrican offensive in tho Champagne. The region selected by Marshal Foch for attack is considered by military exports to have tho widest strategic possibilities. General Pershing’s communique announcing the important American victory in the Verdun region was received with tho greatest satisfaction and elation .by military officials and in diplomatic' circles. Tho success is con-sidered--one of the most notable advances since Marshal Peril's offensive started. TANKS PRECEDE THE AMERICAN INFANTRY WASHINGTON, September 27Mr Newton D, Baker (War Secretary) witnessed the start of the American offensive west of Verdun. After the enemy had been bombarded with high explosive! asd gas shells, the tanks advanced, smashing the wire entanglements and destroying ma-chine-gun nests. The airmen, swooping over tho enemy trenenes, prevented him discovering what was impending. ... Already tho Americans have captured Malancourt, Montfaucon, Cuisy, and other points. , . . ... The German opposition is strengthening, and new divisions are arriving. The gas attack overwhelmed Vauquois, where 40 miles of subterranean passages are known to exist. Tho first town ..was flooded with gas clouds and surrounded by a circle of artillery fire. VAIN ATTEMPT TO STEM THE DISASTER VILLAGES CAPTURED BY SKILFUL MOVEMENTS. (Received September 29, 6.5 p.m.) PARIS, September 27. The American offensive in tho Argonne began at daybreak on Thursday. It was preceded by a savage barrage of gas. shells, which lighted up the skies for miles and drenched the German gun positions. -The Germans worked desperately to improve their rear defences when they saw the front lines falling, but the Americans swept on rolentlssly, killing machine-gun-ners and mowing down other obstacles with baby tanks, which only paused when they reached the mined bridges. A number of villages was captured by skilful encircling, movements. The.:(3ermans to-day are throwing in shock troops in ah attempt to stem the disaster. In places, the Americans charged in fifteen, even in twenty waves. ' " ... Varennes fell quickly. The tanks then went cross-country eastward to Oheppy, which was quickly taken, despite the use of long-range anti-tank rifles. REPEATED HOSTILE ATTACKS THROWN BACK Australian and New Zealand Cable Association and Reuter. (Received September 29, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, September 28. To-day’s American communique states:—-Our First Arnly continued tho attack north-west of Verdun and took . Oharpentry, Very, Epinonvillo and Ivory.' Llepeated hostile counter-attacks werethrown back. Wo captured over a hundred guns (of which twelve are heavies), many'trench mortars and hundreds., of machine-guns. The prisoners now number...over 8000, including 125 officers. , , ARGONNE DRIVE CONTINUES BRISKLY (Received. September 29. 6.5 p.m.) v ; -TV.; ... _7 WASHINGTON, September ,27. General Pershing is continuing his drive in the Argonne. Prom additional prisoners and guns captured a Gorman Guards division which fo_ijght-. previously at Belleau Wood, haa been identified. , Mr Edwin Jlameß writes:—The.first*’heavy German counter-attacks made 'since the 'Americans advanced .have failed. ' The enemy brought Up large, reinforcements. The Americans have captured-'Oharpentry,'Very, Epinonville, and Ivory, also more than a hundred guns. , . (Received September 29, 11.45 p.m.) strategic points along the Dannevoux-Montfa’iicbh line.' Our advance was In a later dispatch Mr James writes:— : “THe advance of the First American Army on the Champagne-Argonne-M'euse front is meeting with stern resistance by Germany’s best soldiers. The Germans threw in at least four divisions within twenty-four hours. The’ enemy brought up several times that number, despite which wo are satisfactorily advancing, hitting, at strategic point along the Dannevoux-Montfaucon line. Our advance was hampered by heavy rains making it difficult to bring up the artillery, but this is proceeding satisfactorily. It is believed that the Germans are.forming, what they hope to, be a solid lino along the Kriomhilde-Stclliug line, running from Grand Pre, through Champeville, Landres St. George, Ro-mange-snr-Montf ancon, Brielleux and Harancourt to Damvillers. Tho enemy has been preparing this line for a long time. AMERICANS BREAK HINDENBURG LINE Australian and -New Zealand Cable Association. 1 ... (Received September 29, 11 p.m.) ; - ! i. • • i ' NEW. Y’ORKv September 28. General March, United States Chief of Staff, Stated in an interview that the Americana had broken theHindcnburg line west of Verdun and wore now faring the new Dreimhild line. The ..total American advance exceeded five miles. The Franco-Americans had captured 1500 prisoners west of Verdun. 7 - - Reuter’s Telegrams.' ‘ . (Received September 30, 12.10 a.m.) LONDON, September 28. Router’s correspondent at • American Headquarters, -writing on Friday, evening, says:— ■ We have taken what may he considered the Hindonburg line, but behind it is a string of trenches called the HagensteUing line and behind that and joined to it is a defensive works called the Yolkersteliing line, which connects a series of strong places. All those must be passed before the Kriomhildostelling line, which is the lino on which the German main reliance is placed, can be reached; 'Montfaucon is the key to the whole ot this front. It formed a kind of hinge where tho Volkorstelling lino joined to tho HagensteUing nne and enabled the German front to swing some ninety degrees from the south to prevent any successful exit from the Dois de Montfaucon ip. front of it. Published in “The Times.” (Received September 29, 11.45 p.m.) LONDON, September 28. “The Times’ correspondent says that General Pershing personally directed tho attack. The men realising tho magnitude of the fight, went in like wild oats. Aeroplanes advanced in dense formations, many flying low owing to the mist. SMASHING DRIVE TOWARDS CAMBMi .. ... ~ STRONG ATTACK ON THIRTEEN-WHLC^FRONT THOUSANDS OF. PRISONERS INTHREE-MILE ADVANCE. “ 'Australian and Now Zealand Cable Association, , The United Press Agency’s correspondent states that tho British, attacking at dawn towards Cambrai, crossed a seven-mile strip of the Hindonburg lino (including five miles of tho Canal du Nord). The attack is on a 13r mile front, and the farthest penetration is over three miles. Hundreds of prisoners wer©'taken.' : “ ATTAINMENT OF PRIMARY OBJECTS - .. (Received September 20, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, September 27. A United Press Agency dispatch, written -at 5.30 o’clock this evening, states: — - ' . General Byng’s Army, with some divisions of General Horne’s, including Canadians, has started a smashing drive towards Cambrai, and has made remarkable progress. . By 0 o’clock it had crossed tho enormously difficult canal between Mioeuvres and' Havrincourt. also 7000 yards of tho Hindenburg trenches with deep ayro entanglements beyond. Tho British towards 8 o’clock wero seen advancing up the Bourlon Spur, whore tho Germans -were surrendering. Tho tanks started at - half-past Bin Flcsquicres, and tho infantry followed immediately.. The primary objectives between Moeuvrcs and Havrincourt wert attained, that eastward’of Moeuvrcs being a distance of three miles, while that eastward of Havrincourt was scarcely a mile, tho Gorman position here being the strongest. ■ : Following the main attack extending from the Caipbrai-Arras road at Marquion to Bnntouzcio on Bscart, the elements of General Rawlinson’s Army on the right advanced; slightly, protecting the flank. There is evidence that a considerable degree of surprise was-achieved-Thero was little preliminary bombardment, A mist preceding tho perfect day hid the opening of tho assault, since the most critical point was a stretch of canal which the British-'and Canadians negotiated successfully. Boauoamp, Flosquioms. Graincourt, Fontaine Notre -Dame, Bourlon, Cantoing, L.i Vncquerio, Villers-Guislain and Goimolicu are not likely to bo bold by the Germans.

HINDENBURG .OUTPOST DEFENCES CROSSED BRITISH IN GOOD POSITION, TO CAPTURE CAMBRAI. Australian and New Zealand Cable Association. (Received Eepitembo r 29, 5.5 p.m.) LOADON, September 28. The latest advices of Friday evening show that the British attacked between Sauoliy, L’JlUtroe and Gouzeaucourt. By 2 m the afternoon they had captured Beauchamp and Graiucourt and had advanced throe miles, taking between five and sin thousand prisoners. Some guns, including a complete battery, were captured. Wo crossed tne Jdhideuburg outpost defences at a number of points. The capture ol Bourlon is of the greatest importance, as it is really the bulwark of Camera!. Wo took it despite the waterline, of which tho.wnolo was crossed. W'e are now in a good position to capture Oanibrai, which the enemy is unable to use as a railway and road junction. CAPTURE OF CAiBRAi REPORTED fßeceived September 29, II p.m.) NEW YORK, September 23. The United Press Agency’s correspondent on the West front states that it is unofficially reported that the British have 'captured 'Catimrai. DETAILS OF THE OPERATIONS COMPLETE SUCCESS AT RELATIVELY SMALL COST, (Rereived September 29, 5.S p.m-.)- ■ LONDON, September 27. Sir Douglas Haig reports;—'We attacked at 6.20 p : cloek-this morning on a wide front, southward of the Sousoe river. W’e carried out successful operations during tlio night time in the neighbourhood of Arleux, -north-west of La Bassee and south-west of Fleqrbaix, advancing,our line. LONDON, September 28, 2 a.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—Tortious of our; First and Third Armies, under. Generals Horne and Byug 'respectively, attacked before. ..dawn, on a .wide front in the general direction of Cambrai. Notwithstanding .the. great strength of the enemy’s positions, especially in tjie northern sector where the Canal du Nord and open ground .sloping.', towards the enemy rendered pur advance, most difficult, all our objectives were, reached. ■ • .. .. . American detachments oh our extreme fight 'captured' a series, of trenches and fortified farms forming the outer defences of the main idindenburg system south-west of La Oatclet. More to the northward the Fifth Division capiurpd Beaucamp, and, combining with Lancashire men of the Forty-second Division, cleared Beaucamp Ridge, running north-east towards Marcoing. " ' . . On tho right centre the' Guards and the Third Division of the' Sixth Corps, under General Haldane, breaking through- the enemy’s, defences eastward of Havrincourt, carried the village of Flesquieres aiid .took possession of a long spur running eastwards from Flesquieres towards Marcoing. On their left Scottish and naval units" of the Seventeenth'itorps, having stormed a link of the Canal du Nbrd eastward and south-east of MoeuvVes, wore first checked by the defences at Graincourt. Outflanking Gjrgincourt from the north, they seized Auneux and carried forward the whole corps front. Wo captured Graincourt and continued our advance' to Oautoiug, and Fontaine Notre Dame, ' , , On the left centre the Canadian Corps, under ’ General' •'Currie, attacking with the. First, Third and Fourth Canadian Divisions, forced itho- passage of the Canal du Nord and captured the village of Sains, jLos."Marquioa .'and Bourlon, also tho wooded heights of Bourloa Hill.. ’ Pressing on with the assistance of the Eleventh- English Division, they, substantially’progressed towards Raillccuurt and Haynecourt. .. ' : ■ .. .. 1 _ Our deep advance astride the Arras-Cairibrai road was greatly; assisted by the close co-operation of the 22nd Corps'under General Godley, operating southward and ' northward of the Sensee -and Scarps fivers, and the’ .Fiftysixth London Division. This corps crossed the Canal du Nord, attacking' northwards and captured Sauchy L'Estree and Boucby-Ohancy, uothwafds of the Scarpe. ■ ’ ■' ’ ~<• On the extreme left the English and 'Scottish' completed the capture, of Arleux-en-Gohello and the trench system thereabouts. . , ' • , Perfect- co-operation -between the commanders of. neighbouring Units' and between infantry, artillery, tanks’ and aircraft, and the gallantry and' resource of all ranks, again enabled a complete success to bo achieved at a relatively small cost. (Several thousand prisoners and many guns were captured. ATTACK PRESSED WITHOUT RELAXATION SATISFACTORY PROGRESS ON WHOLE BATTLBFRONT. ■ (Received September 29, 5.5 p.m.) ’ - :r :c ■■" ■’ : - - LONDON, September 28,'£.40 p.m. Sir Douglas-Haig reports' attaen -on the Oambrai front - yescefctay ivaa pressed - without relaxation until 'if late hour. Furiher progress : ' was made m the evening, more especially in tho nortdiom portion of tlfe battlehold, and additional prisoners and guns were captured. ; r • The Sixtn and Seventeenth Corps continued' to7innlr©' 'good-xwogress between Flesquieres Ridge and Bourlon Hejguts, r 'Hie • First* Canadian Division, passing beyond Haynecourt, reached time" DouaßCainbrai road" by nightfall. . .The Eleventh Division, passing through the Canadians, advanced rapidly a distance of over two miles, capturing Jipinoy and Oisy le Verger simultaneously. The Fifty-sixth Division, pressing northwards. along tne canal, captured 500 of tho enemy in tho defences north-east of Sanc-hy-Cauchy. These operations were materially helped by the admirable work of the engineers, who, in less than four hours front tho opeuingrOf the assault and despite smell- hre,"successful! -threw' across, the Canal, du Nord a number of bridges capable of carrying transport, thus -permitting . the -advance to continue without check. , - - - The operations are progressing satisfactorily this morning on the whole battlefront. . _ ’ The operations of the Second British Army in Flanders; which were, commenced this morning in conjunction with the Belgian Army, will be reported in a'Belgian communique. : ACTIVITY OF BRITISH AIRMEN (Received September -29, 5.5 p.m.) ■ LONDON, September 28th, - morning. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—Our aeroplanes dropped twenty, tons of bombs on enemy dumps, railheads and billets.- They ignited hangars a* d destroyed a machine oil the ground. We brought down seven others which wore attempting to repel the attack and four others elsewhere. Five British machines arc missing. The Air Ministry reports:—ln conjunction with the Franco-Amcrican operations yesterday, wo attacked railways'at .Metz Sablon a»nd Anduu-lo Kerman -with good results. In bitter air fighting wo brought down three enemy machines. Six British machines are missing. - ... Our night-flyers bombed railways at Metz Sabloh, Mc-zieres, and-Thionvilla and tho Frescaty aerodrome. - Many direct-liits-wero'-made. * ; Intricate system of defences-^^Ptured _____ v-TL-T U.o ' Australian and New Zealand Cable -Association'and-Reuter, ' LONDON) September 27. Sir Douglas Haig-.itedSrls:—During tho past few days the Fifth and Sixth DivisjenaTof .-.thti ’Ninth Corps, under Lieutenant-General Braithwaito, captured’by Bard fighting at small cost an intricate system -of -trenches ■ and in the woods and villages north-westward of St; ■ Quentih,. fakt 'itig :f 'roOU prisoners. ' - - ■ ;E ■ " Enemy counter-attacks were repulsed with great gallantry and determination. " ! ' ’ .- NINE GERMAN DIVISIONS ENGAGED Australian and New Zealand Cable Association. (Received September 29, 1-1.45 p.m.) - ' [LONDON, September 28.-' “The Times" correspondent at British Headquarters says it, is estimated that nine German divisions-were engaged, some consisting of. composite-ele7 incuts, several of which were comparatively'fresh in the line.'' Large forces were undoubtedly hold close in reserve. ..... _ ... GERMANS CLAIM TO STOP BREAK-THROUGH Australian and Now Zealand Cable Association and Router. LONDON,- September 27. A wireless German official message states:— - •: - In the Champagne and between tho Argonno and the Meuse, French and American attacks commenced on a wide front, after II hours' artillery fire. A break-through was frustrated. - ;.7 . : : , • Tho fight for our positions continues. , RETREAT “IN ACCORDANCE WITH ORDERS” - (Received September' 29, 5.5 pTm.) LONDON, September 27. A wireless German official report states:—Wo repulsed, partial attacks eastward of tho Meuse, tho Austro-Hungarians specially, distinguishing themselves. . .. The Franco-Americans are advancing westward’of the Aisno and eastward of the Argonno. They have employed numerous tanks. Our advanced posts in accordance with orders, retreated fighting to allotted defence lines. The enemy reached heights north-westward of Taluire and as far as Fontaine-on-Dormojs, where our reserves shot the bolt to the enemy's local breakthrough. The enemy’s attacks between Aubcnve and south-eastward of Sommepy, also northward of Cpnnny, broke, down. Between tho Argohne and' the' Meuse the enemy reached -Montblainvillo, Montfnucon and the bend of the Mouse north-cast of Montfaucon, where dip-was brought to a standstill by our FF'SGrVCS , LONDON, September 28, To-dav’s wireless Gorman’ official report states:—Tiro enemy gamed ground towards’ ’Cambrai. Renewed vigorous, Froneo-American attacks in t(io- Chainpagno and between tho Argonno and the .Mcuso failed.

OFFENSIVE IN FLANDERS BRITISH AND BELGIANS MOVE Id CONJUNCTION ■ ADVANCE OF THREE MILES ALREADY RECORDED. Australian and New Zealand Cable Association. (Received 'September 29, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, September 23, Sir Douglas Haig lias announced that the British, in conjunction with the Belgians, have launched an offensive-in- Flanders. The Belgian offensive began north of Ypres. , ' p ARIS> Septembor j*. The British and Belgians are attacking , between ipros and Dismudo. They have advanced two miles, taking Poelcapella. ENTENTE WARSHIPS ASSIST- THE ■ MOVEMENT. (Received September 29, 11 p.m.) NEW YORK. September 28. The Anglo-Belgians have captured Poelcapelle and gained three miles. They outflanked Paschendaele and have already captured 5000 additional prisoners. ~’ Entente warships bombarded Ostend and Zeeprugge.