ENEMY WEAKENED BY TYPHUS AND INFLUENZA.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXIX, Issue 3942, 10 July 1918, Page 2

ENEMY WEAKENED BY TYPHUS AND INFLUENZA.

ATTACK EXPECTED BEFORE END

OF WEEK,

LONDON, July 8.

Mr Philip Gibjbs writes that the enemy recently has sent only a few odd shells into Amiens. Every few hundred yards gained by the Australians, English, and Americans insures greater safety for the old city. It is to th» enemy's credit that his gunners hitherto have not made a target of Amiens Cathedral. A few shells H'ierced. it, but no irreparable damage was done. We now know that many German companies are reduced to low strength owing to influenza, which is rife in the German ranks. Typhoid is also reported. It would be rash to assume that the delay in the offensive is-primarily due to sickness, there must be other and more potent reasons, but it is believed that the widespread, outbreak is really affecting the enemy's striking power, and may hinder their plans for immediate operation)*.

Colonel Rousset, the Turkish proAlly military expert, writing*-in the Paris newspaper "Liberte" says that Ludendorff will probably attack before the end of the week. The Allied situation is somewhat changed. The strong reserves will be echelon, so that surprise is practically impossible.

PARIS, July 8

Experts are of opinion that the German reserves amount only to 55 divisions, compared with eighty in the spring, hence their expected coming blow will be on a much, restricted front.