FRENCH SUCCESS NEAR RHEIMS

Waikato Times, Volume 88, Issue 13464, 19 April 1917, Page 5

FRENCH SUCCESS NEAR RHEIMS

TROOPS ADVANCE WITH IRRESISTIBLE ARDOUR. • IMPORTANT GERMAN FORCES BROKEN. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) Received April 18, 11.45 p.m. LONDON, April 18. A French communique states: We extended our action east of Rheims, attacking the Herman lines between Prunay, seven miles south-east of Rheims, and the road from St. Hilare to St. Soupplet. Notwithstanding violent squalls of rain and snow, our troops advanced with irresistible ardour and carried on a front of 9£ miles the whole of the first German positions.

Pushing beyond this position, our troops south of Mozonvilliers brilliantly conquered an extent of seven miles of the enemy line on the solidlyorganised heights from Mount Gornillet, east of Baudivincourt. Further east a spirited action resulted in our capturing the village of Auberive. 17 miles east of Rheims, and the powerfully-fortified salient formed by the German line around the village on a front of two miles. Enemy counter-attacks against Mount Gornillet were shattered. We took over 2500 prisoners hereabouts. Between Soissons and Rheims we resumed our destructive fire on the German organisations, and destroyed the works in which small enemy parties were still resisting. We repulsed a strong counter-attack in the afternoon in the region of Huradbise Farm. A. violent attempt against the sector of country occupied by the Russians also failed. During the battle on Monday between Soissons and Rheims, our troops broke up important German forces. Expecting an attack, the enemy had brought up 19 divisions. Prisoners state that orders were given to hold out at any cost on the first poteition, which had been deepened. The enemysuffered heavy losses on the eve of the attack. An enemy division engaged during relief in a sector in the neighbourhood lost a large part of its effectives through the violence of our artillery bombardment. The number of unwounded prisoners taken between Soissons and Rheims is now 11,000. (Admiralty per Wireless Press.) LONDON. April 18. A German official report states: After their failure, witli heavy losses, to break through our lines on the Aisne, the French did not renew their attacks. There has been bitter fighting throughout the day on ooth sides of Auberive, in the Champagne.