THE SOUTHERN FRONT

Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13888, 14 October 1918, Page 5

THE SOUTHERN FRONT

GERMAN POSITION DANGEROUS. RETREAT .MAY BECOME A ROUP. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received October 1 i, D.15 a.m. LONDON, October 13. Mr George Perris says that it is inaccurate to say that the Germans mi the French front are dislocated, hut their position is dangerous, and we may see the retreat become a rout in some sectors. The German persistence in holding Laon is most adventurous, hut undoubtedly much material has been removed. The enemy has crowded 500,000 men with their impedimenta on the few main roads between the. Sambre and the Argonne. CHEMIN DES DAMES OCCUPIED. (Renter's Telegrams.) Received October if), 12.20 a.m. LONDON, October 13. The French have occupied the remainder of Chemin des Dames. HEAVY FIGHTING IN THE MEUSE AMERICANS REACH OBJECTIVES. ' \uslralian and .N.Z. and Renter.) Received October M. 0.15 a.in. LONDON, October 13. An American communi<|iie si; tes that eastward of the Meuse there lias ■ n•;i heavy fightin-j; in Bois des Caines. We obtained our objectives on both sides (,!' the river. We have taken 17.n";!l prisoners in this sector since September 2b\ ENEMY ADMISSION. CHEMIN DES DAMES EVACUATED. t Vlmirnlty per W : rcless Press, i Received October 1:!. I 1.30 p.m. LONDON, October )'i. (iermnn official: Westward of Dmi';i we retire,l Id lines in our rear. We frustrate ; a British attempt to break

through in the direetio?] of Valenciennes. The enemy gained a footing in Imry. We evacuated Chemin ftes Dames and occupied a new position between Berry-au-Bac and southward of Vousiers. The Saxons recaptured! Cunerei and Bols de Sormes.

THE CHAMPAGNE BATTLE. AFTER J7 DAYS' FIGHTING. ENDS IX COMPLETE ENEMY DEFEAT. (Australian and N.Z. and Renter.) Received October 14 II : } r> am LONDON". October 13. A French communique states that •h e battle which began in the Champa;me on September 2G, has nnded, alter I, ( |ayx' fi-Jiting, m the complete defeat ol the enemy. Our 4th Army completed the liberation of the Aiano area, by capturing to-day 36 localities, and treeing several thousands of civilians, who have been subjected to the German yoke since IP]4. This arms alone, since the beginning of the.Cham—pagne ofiensive, has taken 21,567 prisoners, including 499 officers, GOO guns and much other material. The sth Amy, on its left, relentlessly pursuing the enemy, crossed the Retourso and advanced six miles. We hold Vieux lez Asfeld, La Ville, and the southern outskirts of Hlanzr. Wo crossed the Aisne, fighting at* Guignicourt and Xeufchate. and are advanci'>2 towards Mont Prouvai. Between; the Aisne and fh e Oise. on<; vigorous pressure forced the enemy to a" fresh* retreat. We are pressing his reargue-, and have reached the Ailette, north of Craonne. Further west ouc line is marked by Chiw les Etouvellcs, over two and a-half miles, from Laon, B»ungeiignon, Fauvourourt. and point* ast of Premontre. east of St. Gobain, and west of Berthancourt, and Deullct..