FRENCH SUCCESSES

Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13886, 11 October 1918, Page 5

FRENCH SUCCESSES

IN PICARDY AND CHAMPAGNE. GERMANS COUNTER-ATTACKING HARD. , TO REGAIN.LOST GROUND. THREATENED IN THE CENTRE. (Router's Telegrams.) Received October 11, 11.,'i0 a.m. LONDON, Oct. 10. Renter's correspondent at French headquarters reports on Wednesday, Dili: "From St. Quentin to the Woevre the battle to-day progressed satisfactorily. Eastwards of St. Quentin General Debeney's troops broke through the enemy line from Harlv to Neuville. which had been converted into a field fortress after a bitter struggle. On our extreme right General Gourand's army in the Champagne attack westwards of the Argonne has given us possession of Vaux Lez Mourons, practically in the mouth of the Gnndpre Valley. Northwards of Arnes the Germans are counter-attacking to regain yesterday's lost ground. Everywhere ilie lighting is of the hardest. The Germans realise that the key to the whole manoeuvre is in the centre, between St. Quentin and the Aisne, where four German armies, crowded into a narrow space, are menaced by the Allied armies in the forest north and east of St. Gobain and the Aisne plateau, in which the Germans deemed themselves safe against any attack. The Germans in Champagne are still holding tenaciously, but have been driven back at several important points. The Germans on both sides of St. Quentin are retreating before the Anjdo-Freneh. In the centre, five miles cast of St. Quentin, the French are in the Wota'n line, the Herman secondary defence system. The enemy has evidently abandoned the idea of making an effective stand in the W'otan defences, which are partly in possession of the French.

PURSUIT CONTINUES. ENEMY VIGOROUSLY PRESSED. (Australian, N.Z. and Renter.) Received Octolxr 11, 1.50 p.m. LONDON. Oct. 10. 4.35 p.m. A French coinmuni(|Uo reports that the pursuit continued during the night cast of St. Quentin. We occupied Laiulrieourt Wood and passed Beaut.roux and Fontaine Notre Dame. North of the Aisne we vigorously pressed tin enemy. East or Ostel wo hold the plateau of Oroixsant. We crossed the Aisne canal further east and in the neighbourhood of Yillers en Prayeres. In Champagne vigorous attacks enabled us to capture Liry.