THE RETREAT RESUMED.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLII, Issue 11613, 12 August 1918, Page 7

THE RETREAT RESUMED.

GUNS RAPIDLILWITHDRAWN.

GERMAN TROOPS SCATTERED

London, July 36. Mr James Campbell, correspondent of the Times at French headquarters, telegraphed this morning:—lt is now uuqestiousble that the Germans are rereating. Guns are being rapidly withdrawn, except gome batteries south of the Ourcq, at Bruyeres, and at Nanteuil All the bulkier stores near Fere were destroyed on Wednesday, and the majority of the infantry has been removed. Long columns of troops and supply convoys are seen moving northwards. General Degonttee’s left has advanced 10 miles since the beginning of the counter offensive, including three miles on Wednesday. The additions to the enemy strength were timely, hut they intensify the overcrowding of the district, and increase the difficulties of retirement.

A French officer, illustrating the morale of a section of the troops under an allied attack, said that they scutttered in all directions like sparrows when they were shelled, and they refused to return until their officeis heat them with their canes.

The enemy left swarms of picked machine gunners posted in every village and wood covering the retreat. A frontal attack on these waspnests would have involved great loss, so the French skirted the woods, leaving other troops to deal with the defenders, either from the flank or the roar.

During the occupation of Brecy the Germans were guilty of brutal outrages—robbery, violation, and the deportation of women and children equalling the worst infamies incidental to the beginning of the war.

The correspondent of the Thnea at American headquarters reports that prisoners say that the Germans are fighting for time to prepare new defences. Commanders are telling the retiring troops, witfi the view of keeping up their spirits, that the offensive against the British is proceeding.

After the evacuation of one village north of the Marne the Americans found stacks of parcels addressed to soldiers’ relatives in Germany, containing wheat picked from the fields near by, and leathei stripped from chairs.

The Germans’ most difficult problem is the feeding of their 35 divisions, which needs at least 18 trains daily, apart from tne ammonition for the troops. This is a task of extreme difficulty, as the most important railway centres are under*'heavy and constant French howitzer lire from a distance of from three to five miles.

■Withdrawing masses of troops from such a confined salient taxes the organising powers of the Germans to the utmost, as the slightest hitch would bring a catastrophe. The Paris correspondent of the Times telegraphs : —The French havj made further progress along the .extended front of the Marne, and have reached the outskirts of Breey, Armentieres, and Ooiucy. The Germans are making a strong stand near Goiucy, where very bitter, fluctuating fighting is prooceeding. A French regiment and two American battalions, after capturing heights east of Grisollts, repulsed nu fewer than II counter attacks. The enemy fought with the utmost energy under orders to expel the French at all costs.

At one stage there was oayouet iighing along the whole lino from the Ourcq to Eezu St, Germain. The Germans returned constantly with reserves, of which some were from Flaudets and some from the Argoune. The French and Americans maintained extraordinary resistance, and made some progress. They took 1100 prisoners. The artillery cut up Bavarians anu Wurtemburgers in a remarkable manner. Some regiments lost 40 per cent, of their effectives. A guard regiment left over 200 dead ami maty wounded on the field.