THE BRITISH ATTACK ON BULLECOURT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3085, 16 May 1917, Page 5

THE BRITISH ATTACK ON BULLECOURT

BRILLIANTLY CONCEIVED AND DASHINGLY . • ACCOMPLISHED. (Rec. May 15, 8.50 p.m.) London, May 14. The latest telegrams from the British front show that we continue to increase the number of prisoners by clearing out nests of German snipers and machine gunners at Bullecourt. The weather has broken. The Germans used a thunderstorm to cover ineffectual attacks at night upon tho mass of brick and wood which was once Bullecourt. Tho Australians not only held all their gains, but repulsed violent attacks intended to assist the Temnants of the German garrison in the village, which was then holding isolated houses eastward of Bullecourt. The British attack was brilliantly devised, and launched at dawn on Sunday. Instead of a frontal attack, tho British commander ordered a 'double flanking movement, including an advance on the south-east from a section of the Hindenburg line which the-Australians captured on. May 3. /The other attack was upon the Hindenburg line in the direction of Fontaine Croisilles. The British advance was so quick, and the dash of the men so' great, that the defenders of the village were encircled before they knew what was happening. They obeyed the order to fight to the death to the letter, and not a single • unwounded prisoner was taken in the village. The. attackers from, the south-east surprised a body of German troops, which were waiting to reinforce the defenders of the village. These surrendered without fighting. The prisoners include men from three of the Guards divisions.