FRANCE AND BELGIUM.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 16218, 24 August 1918, Page 7

FRANCE AND BELGIUM.

THE ENEMY FRONT BROKEN. ON THE OISE. IN RAPID RETREAT. By Telegraph—Press Assn.— Copyright. (Reseived August 24, 2.5 p.m.) LONDON, August 23. French headquarters on the evening of the 22nd reported that pursuit continued the whole afternoon and evening. Yesterday wo reached the line at Sompigny just as the bridges were blown up, but their destruction was incomplete. ' Farther south, as we were occupying Petit Maupas, the enemy began to retreat in disorder. Numerous gains on the other side of the Oise were seen hurrying northward throughout the afternoon. The enemy rearguards fought their fiercest to save important material, but vainly. Om troops at the close of the evening advanced to St. Paul. Other regiments following collected a huge quantity or material, heavy guns and machine guns. Our artillery and cavalry pushed ahead. It was soon noticeable that the enemy’s resistance was chiefly by machineguns and diminishing. Nevertheless it was desperate at certain points, notably from St. Aubin to north of Hill 140, where we were fighting with bombs. Batches of prisoners arrived all night long. It is impossible to count them, <is tihoro ar© at least several thousand. The enemy considers the positions of his first line divisions procarious. He rests his hopes on the second line divisions, whoh are echeioned in depth in order to resist at all costs. Our advance continued this morning towards the Ailette through the enemy’s broken front.—Ans.-N.Z. Cable Assn, and Reuter. THE ..BRITISH OFENSIVE. AMERICAN COMMENT. (Received August 24, 1.35 p.m.) NEW YORK, August 23. The New York Times, commenting on the British offensive, states that Sir Douglas Haig’s new offensive is plainly a counterpart of his late brilliant drive further south. The new drive began in a fog. What is accomplished is not yet fully reported. Sir Julian Byng is moving with characteristic speed in the direction of Bapaume. General Foch’s plan is evidently to keep the Germans moving and not to allow them to select winter quarters. The New York Tribune says Sir Julian Byng has had a chance to come back at tlie Germans. He is unable to repeat the first day’s success at Camhrai, but nevertheless he shook the German line at a critical point, making more than ever likely a German retreat.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.