OPERATIONS ON THE SOUTHERN FRONTS

Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13889, 15 October 1918, Page 5

OPERATIONS ON THE SOUTHERN FRONTS

FRENCH CAPTURE LA FERE AND ADVANCE TOWARDS LAON. ALL RESISTANCE CLEARED IN THE BEND OF THE AISNE. (Australian and New Zealand ami Renter.) Received October 14, 7.20 p.m. LONDON, October 13, 5 p.m. A French communique states that we have captured La Fere and crossed the railway from La Fere towards Laon in the neighbourhood of Denizy and\ Versigny to the north-east. The villages on the Serre are aflame. In the St. Gobain massif we occupied St. Nicholas, Aux Bois and Suzy. Italian troops progressed north of the Ailette. Further east we hold the line of Aizelle-Berrieux-Amifontaine. We have cleared the last points of resistance in the bend of the Aisne. CAPTURE OF LAON SECURES KEY TO GERMAN DEFENCE. NUMEROUS FIRES INDICATE FURTHER ENEMY RETIREMENT. Received October 14, 10.45 p.m. LONDON, October 13. Reuter's correspondent at French headquarters, writing on Sunday evening says further French progress is recorded from the Oise to the Aisne and in the Champagne. South-east of Laon we have reached a line running straight from Orgeval to Ami Fontaine. In the centre we have occupied a strong position north of the line. We are bridging the river under occasional heavy artillery fire. Further east, in the great northward bend of the line, we hold the southern bank of the river to Vouziers. To the north of this line numerous llres indicate that the enemy does not intend to hold for long his new natural line along the Serre River. The French entered Laon without a fight, thus reconquering the great group of natural obstances which for years has formed the keystone of the German defence in France.