THE BRITISH REVENGE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLII, Issue 11613, 12 August 1918, Page 5

THE BRITISH REVENGE.

AN UNPRECEDENTED OFFENSIVE

ENEMY IN A POCKET.

BIG WITHDRAWAL IMMINENT

London, August 10. What Paris papers enthusiastically style the “British Revenge,” is progressing in a fashion unprecedented in any British offensive hitherto. The advance is slower north of the Somme than elsewhere, a succession of ravines there favours defensive tacics, but the troops are Hack on the old line south of the Somme. Generally speaking, the salient has broadened hdth at the apex and the base by yesterday’s successses, and there is now no seriously-exposed flunks. The Germans, as at the Marne, are being driven into a great pocket south of the Somme with their backs to the river. They will need most desperate efforts to maintain themselves there while retirements will imperil the flank of the new positions to which they were driven from the Marne. The crucial point is Chaulnes, Which is near an important road and railway centre, and where the British advance lias attained its greatest depth. Its } capture is bound to precipitate a I German withdrawal from the Mont--1 clidier saiiout Some experts think ■ it possible that the Germans will attempt to escape their difficulties by another drive to the Channel ports, hut, on the contrary, it is pointed out that Foch’a present \ thrust has precisfly anticipated ; such a move by necessitating further inroads on Prince Rupprecht’s reserves and, as expected, Foeh can now deal other rapid blows. The prospects of an effective German retaliation are regarded as diminishing. This is practically admitted by Germau newpapers, which are now talking of new’defeusive'sirategy designed to spare men. THE ALLIES CHANCE. FOR THE GREATEST OF BLOWS. Washington, August 10. General March (American Chief of-staff) says the time has now arrived on the West front for the Allies’ greatest blow. Foch intends to keep on hittiug. Any suggestion that the end of the war is near is unfounded, but the time has come to keep the enemy running. The passage of the intistive to the Allies at this stage is all important, g GENERAL BIRD WOOD’S TRIBUTE. AUSTRALIANS TAKE 5,000 PRISONERS f AND 100 GUNS.

Melbourne Aug. 11. F

General Birdwood cabled Senator Pearce: All our ciivisons paiticipated in the recent successful operations and again distinguished themselves by their gallant bearing, which could not be beaten. Our corps alone captured 5,000 prisoners and 100 guns. Our casualties were extraordinarily small, owing to tne complete surprise of the operation.

STOCK XC HANGE STIMULATED.

Deceived. August 12, 0.15 p.m. London, August 11

The war news has stimulated stock exchange, all gilt edged securities hardening. Knbbsr. Pa:a bs, PlautUicn 2s Ifffi: smoked 2s (T»,d ; hemp iltm end unchanged.