THE BRITISH OFFENSIVE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLII, Issue 11611, 10 August 1918, Page 5

THE BRITISH OFFENSIVE.

jiNEMY STRONG ON THE VESLE.

THE END IN SIGHT.

A CRUSHING VICTORY POSSIBLE

London, August 8.

The Germans hold the Yesle line in considerable strength. Although it is reported that they have withdrawn heavy guns and some forces over the Aisne, no peparatious for a general retirement are apparent.

The Germans on the FrancoBritish front between Montdidier front and the sea retired at various points in varying depths. This is probably explainable by a desire to improve their defensive positions. The withdrawal on the Lys sector is due to marshy ground, and the fact that our positions dominate him, but it is difficult to understand the slight retirement at Givenchy. It is probable that tie Lys retirement may be preliminary to a general withdrawal. On the other hand, the enemy’s scheme may only be to strengthen his front between Baillea! and La Bassee Canal. The effect however, reduces the probability, or danger, of a renewed offensive.

The Franco-British, between Moreuil and Morlancourt, made “a substantial .advance to a depth of about 4000 yards. It is reported that Moreuil, Demuin, Abancourt and Morlancourt, are* in our bands, also the heights west of Oerisy and south of Morlancourt.

General Rawlinson coaimands°the Fourth Army and General Anthoine the Jbrench army.

Our recent air raids forced the enemy to detach a large number of fighting machines from the front as protection fur Geiman towns. During, the raid on Saarhroncken our aviators encounteredjforty enemy machines. FOOD’S REMARKABLE FORESIGHT. Review of tire Marne offensive reveals Foch’s remarkable patience and foresight. When the British received a severe reverse and when the position on the eastern front was compromised, Foch met one German blow after another, but refused to make a premature counter-offen-sive until the psychological moment when the Germans were exhausted at Rheims, and after they made a success on the Marne front. It required great firmness on Foch’s part to disregard the danger of throwing the whole of his reserves into a great counter-thrust, which proved successful. Had it failed, it would have been disastrous to the French, and the Germans would have gained the Marne without difficulty. _ The splendid response of America in throwing in troops who were only partially trained .and unaccustomed to war conditions, reflected the greatest credit on the nation. We are justified in saying that the situation is more favourable than at any time since 1914, We have overwhelimng evidence of Germany’s "declining man-pi war and caa say the end is in sight, because of our growing resources from America. Humanly speaking, if we hold fast we can achieve a Grushins victory Germany in the field while the political and moral situation of the Central Powers may tend to hasten the end. The Italians in Albania were forced to further retire near Berat, causing the French left wing _ to fall back In conformity. The retirement has ceased, and it is expected the Italians will hold the present position. The population of Northern Russia warmly welcomed I.the Allied occupation, which was effected without casualty. The Bolsheviks withdrew to the southern bank of the river Dwina.from which'jthey were driven by shell-fire. The Allies have ;since pushed rapidly along tne railway southward towards Vologda. The hostTe forces number about 8000, including 1500 farmed Maximalists, 400 Letts, 500 seameu and a large force of workmen. Considerable Russian forces are reported to he co-operating with the Czechs iu Western Siberia. These are a good quality of troops, with many Cossacks. The peasantry are also co-operating. It is believed the Turks weje repuslsed at Baku, which remains in Armenian hands, although we cannot depend on their ability to hold on; nevertheless, [their situation has improved by [the widespread anti-Bolshevik rising in TransCaspia. It is believed the Caspian fleet remains friendly the Entente.

THE ENEMY’S RETREAT.

CONFUSION BEHIND GERMAN LINES.

RAPID RETREAT OF TRANSPORTS Loudon, August 8. The United Press Association’s correspondent says: There is great confusion behind Rupprecht’s front. Airmen report the rapid flight of transports towards the Somme. A number of high officers are already among the ’prisoners. One German was last seen running headlong, chased by a tank machine gunning him. “ We now directly threaten Montdidier and our airmen [are harassing the traffic into and on; of the salient, especially across the Somme bridges. Our casualties were exceptionally light, especially at the beginning of the operations “ Rupprecht’s reply, whether by artilieW. infantry or aeroplanes, is so far feeble, hut with the coming up of reinforcements the resistance will stiffen.

FIGHTING IN ALBANIA. '2

London, August S,

French Eastern communique: In Albania the Austrians last evening renewed violent attacks against our new front, but everywhere were rennisod.

BOMBING DURAZZO,

London, August S.

An Italian navsl communique states that seaplanes effectively bombed the " military works and docks at Durazzo.