SMASHING THE HINDENBURG LINE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 51, 23 November 1917, Page 5

SMASHING THE HINDENBURG LINE

STORY OF NOVEL AND BRILLIANT ATTACK

GERMANS COMPLETELY SURPRISED By Telegraph—Prese AsEoolation-Oouyrieht _ . ' , ', New York, November 21. The Hindenburg line has been smashed, and the British are advancing on a wide front.' The whole,of the canal line has been taken, and thousands of'prisoners have been captured. .Marcbing (near Cambrai) is in the hands of the British, and the Germans have been driven to their last ]ines of defence.—Aus.rN.Z. Cable. Assn. ' ,

THE OFFICIAL REPORTS , London, November 21, 2.10 p.m. The High Commissioner cables: Sir Douglas Haig reports that the whole' of the Hindenburg line has been broken.to a depth of between four and five miles. ' . . '

SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S STORY OF THE GREAT ATTACK

/ PRELIMINARY BOMBARDMENT DROPPED- ENEMY

COMPLETELY SURPRISED.

(Rec. November 22, S p.m.)

; ' . London, November 21. i . Sir Douglas Haig reports: "Yesterday morning tho Third Army, under ; Bir Julian Byng, delivered a number of general attacks between St. Queiitin / and the Scarpo Eiver. The attacks wero carried out without previous artil- ? lery fire, completely surprising the enemy. Our troops broke in the enemy's I positions to a depth of between four and five miles on a wide front, and cap'/tured several thousand prisoners and α-uumber of guns. "At the hour of the'assault on tho principal front of attack a large num- > her of tanks moved forward in advance of the infantry, and broke through \ successive belts of German wire of great depth and strength. The infantry ' followed and stormed the first defensive system of tho Hindenburg line. The , ianks and infantry pressed on and capturod the Hindenburg support lino more than a milo beyond. Soveral thousands of prisoners and a number of guns were captured. The operations continue." With tho Regiments in Battle. London, November 21. Following through the gaps made by tho tanks, the English, Scottish and Irish regiments swept over tho enemy's outpost lines and stormed the first defensive system of the Hiudenburg lino along the wholo front. The infantry and tho taiiks pressed on in accordance with the programme mapped out for them, and captured the enemy's second system of defence over a milo beyond what is known as tho Hindenburg support line. The East County troops took Bonairs and tho Bois Lateau after stiff fighting. The English Rifle Regiments and Light Infantry captured La Vacquerio, and also the formid- '. able defences on tho spur known as the Welsh Ridge. Other English County troops stormed the village of Ribecburt, and fought their way ' through Coullet Wood. The Highlaud Territorials crossed the Grand Ravine and entered Flosqueres, where fierce fighting took place. Tho West Hiding . Territorials captured Havrincourt, and also tho enemy's tronch system northwards of the village. Tho Ulster battalions, covering the latter's left flank, moved northward up tho west bank of the Canal du Nord. After the morning attack wo continued to advance rapidly and made progress at all points. The English, Scottish, Irish, and Welsh secured tho crossings of the canal at Maaniercs and captured Marcoing, Neuf Wood, and the West Eidge. Troops from Havrincourt made remarkable progressVeastward of tho Canal du Nord. They stormed the villages of Graincourt and Ameux, co-operating with tho Ulsters westward of the canal. Wo carried the whole of the German lino northward to the Bapaumc-Cambrai Road. The West Lancashire Territorials broke into tho enemy's, positions eastward of Epehy, while tho Irish troops captured important sections on the Hindenburg lino between Bullecourt and Fontaine les Croisilles. The number of prisoners and guns, and the amount ■of material takon cannot yet be estimated. Fine, dull weather favoured our pieparations for the attack, but it broko early yesterday. Rain fell during the night, and it is now stormy."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Rcuter. j THE LATEST-FRESH POSITIONS CAPTURED (Rec. November 22, 10.30 p.m.) London, November 22. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "Important progress was mado to-day west- ' ward 'and south-westward of Camhrai, despite the continuous rain. Reinforcements for the enemy were hurried up and opposed our advance, ■■ but these were driven out, and a further 6ories of villages and other fortified positions

and many prisoners were taken. Tlio tanks were again of great assistance. We made progress on tlio right in tko direction of Creveooeur les Court, ami capture<l, nortli-east of Masnicrcs, a double lines of trenches on the cast baiiK of the Canal do l'Escaut, where sharp ughting occurred, ami couiiter-atta'CKS wero driven oll : . Tlio village of Noyellos snr l'Escaut, northward of Jlarcoing, was captured early in tlio morniii;;. Hero also thero was heavy fighting, and the enemy's counter-attacks wero successfully repulsed. Tlio ocottßU troops in the morning;, moving north-cast on Cantaing, took the latter village and continued their advance. La..jr they established themselves upwards of five miles lichiiul tlio former (Jeriuan front line. The West Riding troops northward of Anneux engaged the enemy southwards and south-west-ward of Bourlon Wood. Tho "Ulsters, further west, crossed tho BapaunieCanibrai road and entered Moeuvres. Strong counter-attacks were niado against our new positions in tlio neighbourhood of Bullecourt, and defeated. "The total number of gnus captim ■! has not yet been_ ascertained. "Our aeroplanes attempted to work .ill day on Tuesday in conjunction with the operations between St. Quentin and , 'the Scarpe, hut low clouds, mist, and a strong westerly wind prevailed, with a drizzlo. The airmen made occasional raids, the pilots flying fifty feet from tho ground. Even then, at times, they wero quickly lost in tho mist, and their continual attempts to maintain contact with tho advancing troops were rendered altnost_ impossible. Only five liostilo machines wero seen. Eiovon of ours were lost owing to tho mist and the exceptionally low hoight at which they were compelled to fly. — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Router.

FRENCH ACTIVITY NEAR ST; QUENTIN

(Rcc. November 22, 9 p.m.) London, November 21. A French official communiquo states: "Wβ mado several successful raids north and south of St. Quentin. "A violent artillery struggle is in progress in tho region of Chaume Wood (Verdun front)." —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.

STRONG DEFENCES CAPTURED,

(Rec. November 22,10.30 p.m.)

London, November 22. A< French official communique states: "West of Lamiette, wo attacked tbe German salient south of Juvencourt on about three-quarters of a mile of front, to an average depth of about four hundred yards. We attained all our objectives, carrying strong defences."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-lleuter.

THE GERMAN ' REPORT

(Rec. November 22, 7.80 p.m.)

London, November 21. A German official report states: "Tlio main English attacks were delivered under the protection of armoured cars. The .enemy strove to break through to Cambrai, and succeeded in capturing villages in the fighting zone, including Graincourt and Marcoing, and also portions of our permanentlyestablished material. Our reserves arrested the thrust in. our rear, positions. The enemy has riot advanced beyond our foremost line between Fontaine les Croisilles and lieincourt. His attack southward of Vendhuille collapsed."— Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Keuter. London, November 22. A German official report states: "The English since noon have re-attacked with strong forces south-west of Cam brai. Fighting continues. Strong French advances commenced this afternoon on the front from Craonno to Berry-au-Bao (on the Aisne)."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Ecutcr.