THE GERMAN OFFENSIVE

Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13814, 19 July 1918, Page 5

THE GERMAN OFFENSIVE

BITTER FIGHTING CONTINUES SOUTH OF THE MARNE. i_ ENEMY ATTACKS ON OTHER PARTS WITHOUT RESULT. (Australian and New Zealand and Reuter.) Received July 18, 9.43 p.m. LONDON, July 17, 5.30 p.m. \ French communique states that south of the Marne the Hermans, who attacked last n'ght with fresh forces north of St. Agnan, Chapelle and Montboson succeeded in penetrating La Bourdonnerie. The battle continues bitterl'v on the wooded slopes immediately south of these points. turther east, despite very lively attacks, we held the. enemy on the southern edge of the Bouquigny-Nesles woods. The Germans also attempted a powerful eftort in the direction of Mouvoisin, which they seized, but a counter-attack drove them out Between the Marne and Rheims violent fighting is proceeding in the Courton woods. An enemy attack in the region of Vrigny complete y failed East of Rheims local enemy attempts were without r still, notably in the region of Prunav. The Germans, who were endeavouring to renew their assaults at Beaumont, sustained a sanguinary defeat, and we everywhere entirelv maintained our positions. (United Service.) Received July 18. 9.45 p.m. , LONDON, July 17. The military authorities in London regard the repulse of General von Einem by counter-attacks south of Doim*ns as unquestionable gains have been secure!.

FRANCO-AMERICAN COUNTER-ATTACKS RESTORE POSITIONS. (Austnlian and N.Z. Cable Association.) iWciwd July IS 10.25 p 11 LONDON, July 17. Correspondents on the American iiov stale that a I-runco-American countei-attack eastward of Chateau Thierry last night re-took the towns of St Aarian, La Chapelle and Monthodon, and cleared portions of Bois de Gheonil. Fighting continues. The Americans everywhere are holding their ground, both eastward of Rheims and in the Chateau Thierry i^iion. FRESH GERMAN ARMY DEFINITELY THROWN INTO THE BATTLE. AN DIVISION EQUAL TO .'JIRKK HERMAN DIVIS T ONS." ( V.islralvn nnd N.Z. Cable Association.) II •<! Jul«- IS, 7.50 p.m. % LONDON, July 17. General von Araiiii';; army was definitely thrown into the battle eastward of Rheims. Col. Reppington states that the French and British armies have been freshly disposed, the troops which we lent to each other having now been returned to their own armies. The American divisions, however, are fighting at various "points. The American divisions are much s'..ringer than the Allied or enemy divisions, and are capable of holding their own against three German divisions.

MANY GERMAN TANKS DESTROYED BY GUN-FSRE AND MINES. "FRENCH COUNTER-ATTACK SECURES IMPORTANT DOMINATING HEIGHTS. <\CCUMULATi\r, EVIDENCE OF THE SERIOUSNESS OF 'I >TK ENEMY'S FAILURE. (United Service.) Received July 18, 7.25 p.m. LONDON, July 17. General von Einem delivered live lleice ons'aughts yesterday between the Suippe Valley and Massifes. They were magnificently repulged, with very heavy losses. The German tanks failed, and the anti-tank guns and land mines destroyed many. The French losses were absurdly light, but further fighting in this sector is expected. The German deepest advance in the Marne valley is six miles. A French counter-attack soutli of Dormans advanced three thousand yanls and recovered most valuable heights, Bringing the German bridges under effective fire from Gin. guns. There is accumulating evidence of the seiiousness of the enemy's failure. The German claim to 13,000 prisoners is believed to be a wild exaggeration. The Allies' captures have not yet been counted. (Reuter's Telegrams.) Received July 18, 11.50 a.m. VANCOUVER, July 17. A Berlin message claims 18,000 prisoners.