ALONG THE SOUTHERN FRONT

Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13893, 19 October 1918, Page 5

ALONG THE SOUTHERN FRONT

THE AMERICAN ATTACK ON THE KRIEMHILDE LINE. BREACH WIDENED IN ENEMY'S POSITION DESPITE STUBBORN RESISTANCE. 'IMPORTANCE OF VERDUN SECTORS TO ENEMY'S DEFENSIVE SYSTEM. IF COMMUNICATIONS CUT THEIR WHOLE LINE MUST YIELD. (Reuter's Telegrams.) Received October 18, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, October 17. Reuter's correspondent at American headquarters, writing on Wednesday, states that the American advance, by which the breach in the Kriemhilde position was widened, was made in the face of the most stubborn resistance, including desperate counter-attacks supported by heavy artillery fire. The American gains wcr n accomplished by encircling, not storming, the objectives. Germans with machine-guns filled the woods and heights, and deluges of gas-shells compelled the Americans to fight for hours in their gas-masks, while a vast extent of wire, which was insufficiently cut by gunfire and enfiladed by the enemy, held up the advance. Yet the Americans filtered steadily through lo the summits. A captured German order states that the Fatherland depends upon the resistance offered in the Verdun sectors. The cutting of the German communications there would oblige the entire western line to yield. Hence German divisions are densely massed against the Americans. AMERICANS CAPTURE GRAND PRE WITHOUT ARTILLERY AID. ENEMY FORCED TO RETIRE AFTER A HAND-TO-HAND STRUGGLE. Received October 18. 5.5 p.m. WASHINGTON, October 17. The Americans captured Grand Pre, north of the Forest of Argonne, after an attack made without artillery. They waded the river Aire and surprised the enemy, forcing his retirement after a hand-to-hand struggle. VAST STORES ABANDONED BY THE ENEMY AT LAON. Received October 18, 5.5 p.m. PARIS, October 17. . The enemy in Laon abandoned vast stores. The roads are lined with shells and shellcases, and miles of light railways remain in position, together with stacks of rails and lons of barbed-wire. The bridges have already been repaired and the road are workable. FRENCH MAINTAIN CONTACT WITH RETREATING ENEMY. Received October 18, 10.55 p.m. LONDON, October 17. A French communique states that we maintained contact St night time along Ihe entire' Oise-Serre front. Machine-gunning and artillery fire is fairly active.