HARD FIGHTING NORTH OF THE SCARPE.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14892, 15 October 1918, Page 5

HARD FIGHTING NORTH OF THE SCARPE.

TRIUMPH OF BRITISH TENACITY.

THE FRENCH VICTORIES

LAON ENTERED WITHOUT A

FIGHT

(Renter's Telegrams.)

(Received Oct. 14, 10.10 p.m.)

l-ontfon, Oct. 13 .Heutcr's correspondent at British Headquarters, writing on Sunday evening says Le Cateau and St Vaast the Germans in strength are fighting hard. We renewed the .attack here yesterday. The most severe fightnig occurred along the railway embankment from Mohtez to NeuviJlo large new enemy forces fiercely coun-ter-attacking, supported by tanks, during the whole of the morning. By tho afternoon British tenacity had triumphed, and we were pursuing the Germans eastward.

Renter's correspondent at Frencli Headquarters, writing on Sunday evening, says :—Further French . progress has been recorded from the Oise to tho Aisne and in Champagne. South-east of Laon we reached a line miming straight from Orteevale to Amifontaine. In th© centre we occupied a strong position north of, the Aisne.' We are bridging the river under occasional heavy artillery fire.

Farther east,, in the great northward bend of the Aisne, we hold the southern bank of the river to Vouziers. North of this line numerous fires indicate that the enemy do not intend to hold for long their new natural line along the Serre river.

. The French entered Laon .without a. fight, thus reconquering the great group of natural obstacles which for years have formed the keystone of tb-o German defence in France.