THE FRENCH OFFENSIVE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16982, 19 April 1917, Page 5

THE FRENCH OFFENSIVE.

HUGE GERMAN OPPOSITION. Router's Telegrams. LONDON, April 17. A Paris semi-official message states : The Germans massed at least 20 divisions and all available batteries on the SoissonsHheims front. Our advance reached a depth of three to four kilometres. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reutor. LONDON, April 17. A French communique states : We have organised the position won between SoisBons and Rheims. A strong German coun-ter-attack on our new dine in the region of Ailles was broken with heavy enemylosses Attacks in the sector at Courcy'also failed*. GERMANY FEELS THE THRUST. POSITIONS LEVELLED AND DEFENCE IMPOSSIBLE. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter. Admiralty, per Wireless Press. LONDON, April 17. A German official message states : One of the greatest battles in tnis mighty war, and therefore in the world's history, has been in progress on the Aisne since April 6. The artillery fire and mino-throwing was of unprecedented' duration, mass and intensity. ' Yesterday morning the French, in a deep column, attacked' from Sopi to Bethenv, and during the afternoon the French throw in fresh masses, carrying out lateral attacks between the Oiae and Condes-srar-Aisne. The artillery fire continued to-day, levelling our positions and rendering an obstinate defence no longer possible. The fighting is no longer against a line but over a deep irregular fortified zone. ' The battle swayed backwards and forwards around! our foremost position, our object being, even if war material was lost to spare the lives of our forces and inflict losses on the enemy. This object was achieved, and, thanks to our heroic men the French attempt to break through failed Wo inflicted sanguinary losses and took over 2100 prisoners. ■Where the enemy penetrated the fightier continues, and fresh attacks are expected The figfcui.g befween Pninay and Auberive developed into a battle, and the line of battle therefore extends from the Oise into tho Champagne. Wo have entire confidence as to the result of the coming heavy ugnting. ' J

WEATHER CONTINUES BAD. Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association and Router. a T%« i. LONDON, April 17. A i'Tench communique states: The weather continues very bad. There is an artillery duel on the sectors west of Aubenve, in tho Champagne. Nine enemy aeroplanes were brought down, the victims including the thirty-sixth machine destroyed by Captain, Guyieanor. GERMAN LINES AN INFERNO. Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association PARIS, April 17. 1 he Petit Pansien states that the French offensive followed on a month's bombardment. G nural AHohelor's attack swept everything away, hundreds of prisoners arriving at '.he depots within half an hour aftoi- tihe attack wad launched. Eastward of Craoune tlie enemy were terribly battered, and retreated alori"- the whole lino in prnic. ° Tho entiro first lino was captnred by noon. Then the Pencil artillery resumed lire, and the German lines became an inferno The French then advanced and seized the second line. Westward of Craonne tho elite of the" I'ranch troops, after a terrific struggle for Fovoral hours, entered tho first line, which tho enemy boasted was' impregnable There was an extraordinarily violent counter.'utack m tho afternoon, in which the enemy employed tho greater part of their fo:erves. Tho French , advance at some points exceeded four kilometres.

GERMAN REPORT. . LONDON, April 18. (Recoicod April. 18, at 7.30 p.m.) A wireless German official message states : After their failure with, heavy losses to break through our lines on tlie Aisne t"° -French have not-renewed their attacks Ihere was bitter fighting all day long on both sides at Auberive. in Champagne. -.