DESPERATE ENEMY ATTACKS.

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

DESPERATE ENEMY ATTACKS.

NO STRATEGIC GA:t!S. ADVANCE ONLY AT ENORMOUS COST. OFFENSIVE REGARDED AS A FAILURE. TRULY A GERMAN DEFEAT. FIGHTING WILL PROBABLY CONTINUE. Received July 19. il.-iiS a.m. LONDON, July 18. Tiie enemy renewed his attacks westward and eastward <> f !" "ims salient, capturing the western portion of La Bourdonnerie village and heights, which the French retook on Tuesday. The French are again counter-attack-ing. The Germans remained unable to debouch from Prunay, and their advance, has lost its breakneck speed. A favourable sign is that villages are changing hands repeatedly. The enemy during the third day succeeded in advancing his line towards ioiporla.nl positions, which he may mi'. scHiienllv capture provided he possesses the requisite forces. On the other hand, the enemy has failed to gain straiegic advantages which are a necessary preliminary to the vast converging westward movement which was the High Command's plan. The German pincers have slipped in Champagne between Prunay and Massiies, where a rupture would have allowed the rilem> to cross the tinman road ami reach Suippes. and thence !o iTalons. Ih re our line holds. The (ierinan a I tack has inislil'nl, and at onl\ oiir point have tin ;. o-edi d in advancing to-day. ~;i, r , unsiiet't'ssi'lll alb-mpls lie' i Iri'Pi.ms al I 1 a.m., atlackim: on a s:\ -mile i";-.>ti!. penetrated to a depth of a mile and a - half at the de, pes i point al \lMit.i:;iie de li!ie.|i,s. The advance n;d> j made a! all en. «!MH ais cost. PII'V.U: the nitiil the !'.■•■; 1 c!! |'e;,i:Ue.| | w.. \ attacks at Vri-iiy an t I'.eaiiai ail -or \esle. The French !a\ IV eille , | l\»o \il!a. - which h i\e in . a nuollSl V disputed, ilirhld:!'- ,\i ••II • ! a!id \ oisin. The French artitler;, domm.di s the M;ii*n" va!|e\, which i- P.mi- lie \ll> shelled, 't he iTemh hot.! tin whole nf the high ground o\• rlookin. lie \.,!lc> \.i!h 111-' . \c, plion of one j o.at.

J I In 1 (ifft'iisjv»', which lh'' <■ 11<• iny hop»'d to develop iulu ;i iji'ivi'. i> now re- ' K ; ' r< 1< ■< I as ;i failure, ain I (rift become ii series <ll lihml disjointed .i(■!i■.f Is, tlii'i't;— fore il can truly be described as ii Ger_ in:in defeat, bin probably l!n- battle will continue with sonic tim. with lluctuat-

results. I lie (■•'t'licins still possess a large number of a\ailabli; r<\vr\e,, but it is believed I ke|y owin.- In (his failure tliut the lljii'h Command 111 a \ determine to reorganise and use the reserves fur an assault on another pari of the line. Tim increased German artillery activity on the British front, is regarded as significant hi this connection. The enemy at no i>oilli has ad\ mc.-d one-third of his programme distance, and lie Ims suffered colossal casuallies. The French are full of hope Ihai the enemy will not succeed in taking Hlieims, though they anticipate ihc utmost elio!'t% to capture the city by ramming tactics. In I lie event, of the Germans f. r ainini? possession of Mmitagne de Hheims the tenure of the city will become precarious. It is evident that Ludondnrff planned to rupture the <:iiani|iai;rie front, isolate l 1;- French armies, and exploit his success by local battles. Furtlier stern tU'liiing is inevitable, because the enemy is Compelled to continue his attacks in order to save his face.