The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-07-09
ALLIES BRACED
AGAINST NEXT
GREAT SMASH
Drive Near Scissors Takes
Bad Curve Out of
French Line.
AUSTRALIANS PUSH ON
Complete Operation Begun on
July +. With Aid Of
the Americans.
AUSTRALIANS PUSH ON

LONDON. July s-Disregarding the
rrobs bility OF an immediate resumption
Of the German offensive on large scale
French forces southwest OF Soissons
launched an attack to-day which netted
a gain OF two-thirds OF u mile on a two
mile front.
This attack, which seems to have been
one of the largest of recent minor opera
TONS was delivered from the eastern
side OF the Retz forest. north OF Lolg
pont. its objective being to straisthten
the line Of defence in this sector.
AS result OF the operation. which
was entirely successful and which netted
several hundred prisoners in addition
to the gain in territory. tho French line
is now fairly straight from Longpont
north to the southern edge of Ambleny
almost eight miles. When the last Ger
man push was concluded the line be-
tween these points bent inward against
the French. giving them an awkward
position to defend The French are
now in possession of Chavigry Farm
and the slopes to the north and south.
In addition TO the French attack the
Australians pushed their lines forward
on a three thousand yard front. com
pleting the operation that wac started,
with American aid. on the Fourth OF
July. Berlin disposes Of the Austral-
lans' success with a statement to the
effect that enemy attacks broke down.
Spirited artillery duels continued west
OF Chateau Thierry. the German report
says
Following are the Official statements :
BRITISH tNIGHT)-Beyond local
encounters in which the British have
captured few prisoners. there Is moth
ing OF interest 20 report.
BRITISH ,DAH)-Last night Aus
tralian troops advanced their line
slightly on front OF 5000 yards
astride the River Somme, capturing
several prisoners.
A successful raid carried out by
Scottish troops south OF La Bassee
Canal resulted in the capture OF few
prisoners.
The enemy's trenches also were en-
tered east OF Hazebrouck by Austria
Ian troops. a few prisoners being
brought back
Hostile artillery has been active
astride the SomIre. as the result Of our
operations, and also west ~ Beau
nont-IIamel and IN the neighborhood
of Bethune
FRENCH ,NIGHT)-South OF the
Alsne our troops this morning attacked
enemy positions in the outskirts OF
Retz Forest. IN the region northwest
ot LonEpon:. On a front OF about
three kilometers we advanced l.cCn
meters. occupying Chavigny Farm and
the ridges north and south of that
farm. The unwounded prisoners
counted un to the present number S47.
including four officers.
FRENCH CDAYI-The night was
marked by artillery actions between
the Forest Of Villers- -Cotterets and the
Marne, There were no infantry ac-
tions.
GERMAN Partial at
tacks by the British on both sides Of
Ia Rassee Canal failed with heavy
losses
GERMAN ,DAY)-Artillerv activity
revived in the evening and during the
night. II increased iutermittently to
great strength on both sides OF the
I.ys. on La Bassee Canal and on both
sides Of the Somme. Lively recon
NOTHING activity and strong enemy at
tacks near Merr.s and south OF the
Lvs broke down.
HNest OF Chateau Thierrv spirited
artillery duels continued Enemy at
tacks on the Clisnon sector and south
west OF Rheims were repulsed.