DESPERATE FIGHT FOR CAMBRAI

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 54, 27 November 1917, Page 5

DESPERATE FIGHT FOR CAMBRAI

BRITISH MASTERS OF BOURLON WOOD

POSITION CHANGES HANDS SEVERAL TIMES

Bj Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, Novomber 25. Sir Douglas Haig reports"Fighting in and about Bourlon "Wood continued last night, with great stubbornness on both sides, the enemy coun-ter-attacking several times. Strong hostile counter-attacks on Friday night forced us baok from Bourlon village, which we had entered in our first advance. Further to the east a powerful enemy attack pressed us back a short distance on a hill in Bourlon Wood. Our counter-attacks later in the morning drove the enemy from the hill, and before midday our line was re-established on the northern edge of Bourlon Wood. At dusk the enemy again attacked with strong forces from the north-east, and forced us back slightly in the north-eastern corner of the wood. We again attacked early in the ziight, re-entered Bourlon village, and captured it aftor a fierce struggle with parties of the enemy, who offered an obstinate resistance in strong points of the village. We are now .in possession of Bourlon village, and ot practically the whole of Bourlon Wood, including all tho high ground within it. The English, Welsh, and Scottish troops, assisted by dismounted cavalry, displayed the utmost courage and tenacity in both attack and defonco, —Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Ileuter.

SEVERE FIGHTING IN BOUIIL'ON WOOD,

(Rec. November 26, 11.55 p.m.)

London, November 26. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "Severe fighting occurred to-day westward of Cambrai. The enemy at mid-dav strongly attached" us in tho neighbourhood of Bourlon and pressed us back from certain portions in the village. Our positions in Bourlon Wood and on tho high ground are intact. The fighting in the Hindcnburg support line, westward of Afoeuvres, yielded us some prisoners-. The total number of p risoners since Thursday Sis now 9774, including 182 officers."—Aus.-N.Z. Cab le Assn.-Reuter.

CLEANING OUT BOUILLON WOOD.

m, Pan8 ' November 25. Ihe re tit Farisien" states"o illy isolated enemy elements remain hidden in underground shelters in portion of Bourlon Wood. The tanks smashed all obstacles. Although a few tanks were caught at point-blank range and destroyed, the remainder smashed the gun-carriages, and mowed down tho gunners."—Aus.-N.Z. Gable Assn.

THE GERMAN REPORT

London, November 25 A German official report states:—"An English advance on the YpresMenin Road failed. There were violent, but limited, engagement* cmi+li west of Cambrai. The English fruitlessly attacked four times at Inehv" Our counter-attack regained several hundred yards of ground. "VVe drove the English out of Bourlon village and wood."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn-Reuter

(Rec. November 26, 7.25 p.m.

in cc • i ll l it . m . London, November 25. A German official report states that French attacks are in progress between Samogneux and Beaumont.—A us.-N.Z. Cable Assn.- Renter.

HAIG'S THANKS TO HIS MEN

IMPORTANT VALUE OP THE OPERATIONS,

(Rec. November 26, 11.55 p.m.)

. . London, Navomber 26. Sir Douglas Haig, in an order of the day, warmly congratulates General Byng and his cQnjmauders and staffs on the manner in jJijch they had prepared and carried through the operations. He also expresses his obligation to the staffs' services at General Headquarters. This success was gained in spite of the severe strain imposed by the arrangements for these operations and in addition the sudden movement of troops towards . Italy. The operations on the Third Army's front would in all probability liavo miscarried if the enemy had gained timely warning of our intentions. The most satisfactory feature to note in connection with these operations is the complete secrecy which was maintained. "Tho capture of the important Pourlon position crowns a most successful operation, and opens up the way to a further exploitation of the advantages we have already gained. Tho manner in which the Third Army adapted themselves to tho now conditions was in all respects admirable, and the results gained will have far-reaching importance. The tanks for the first time have been afforded an opportunity of working in large mimbors, showing that they have a special value under suitable conditions. Without them the complete siirprise that was gained would not havo been possible. Their performances entirely justified the trust placed in them." Sir Douglas Haig pays a tributo to the "splendid services of all arms in the field, especially the co-operation of the cavalry."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Router.

NEW BLOW OF THE FRENCH

SUCCESSFUL COUP ON THE MEUSE,

, . , • , . London, November 25. A French official communique states:— After a violent bombardment tho Germans made partial attacks at various points on tho right bank of' tho Meu.se, especially north of Hill 344, where a lively grenade fight ended in our favour. The enemy suffered appreciable losses without result, and we took prisoners. Our lire prevented tho enemy reaching our lines at Beaumont and ' G'haume Wood."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Renter. (Itec. November 2G, 11.55 p.m.) London, November 25. A French official communique states: "There is reciprocal artillery firing north of the Chemin des Dames aud north-west of Reims. In spito of wind and rain-stnrjns, we attacked on 3i kilometres of front (over two miles), botween Samogneux and tho rogion south of Anclemont Farm, and carried tho first and second of tho enemy's lines, and also deep dug-outs on the slopob of tho Bois des Can res ravine. Eight hundred prisoners have so far been countcd."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Rentor.

ON THE ASIAGO PLATEAU

VIOLENT SERIES OF ATTACKS AND COUNTER-BLOWS

ENEMY SUFFERS HEAVY LOSSES

mi i i i u i , Rome, November 25. The attacks and countcr-attacks on the Asingo Plateau, around Mount Meletta, are increasing, but the enemy is paying dearly, and all his attacks have been broken. He has twice_ launched a large mass of troops against the Col Berita, and been repulsed in disorder, with heavy losses. Fifty-one enemy aeroplanes were brought down in the last four weeks. Eighteen Italian machines are missing. Thrco others fell within their own lines.—Aus.N.Z. C'ablo Assn.

ITALIAN" OFFICIAL REPORT,

(Rec. November 26, 7.25 p.m.)

London, November 25. An Italian official report states:—"We have again repulsed tho enemy's furious attacks, and successfully counter-attacked at Meletto, capturing two sections of machine-guns."—Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn.-Reuter.

AFTER TWELVE DAYS-NO FURTHER ADVANCE

(Rec. November 26, 7.25 p.m.)

... . Rome, November 25. _ lho situation is improving. After twclvo days' fighting in the mountains betwen tho Piave and the Brenta the enemy has made no advance, and has lost from sixty to eighty thousand men. The pressure is diminishing, but reinforcements are arriving.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE GERMAN REPORT

London, November 25. A German communique states that Italian attacks on both sides of the Brenta Valley and against Monte Pcrtice collapsed.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.Reutfc.

THE CRUCIAL POINT OF THE FIGHTING

ANGLO-FRENCH TROOPS NOT YET ENGAGED,

(Rec. November 26, 7.25 p.m.)

. London, November 25. Mr. Ward Price says:—"The crucial point of tho fighting in Italy is a twelve-milo gap between the Brenta and the Piave. There have been fierce attacks and counter-attacks about Monte Tomba, as the Germans cannot descend to the plain until they capturo Monto Tomba and Monte Grappa. Tho Anglo-French troops have not yet participated in the battle." Mr. Price says ho met several motor-cars containing British officers, who wcro reconnoitring tho battleground.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

TERRIBLE FIGHTING IMMINENT.

(Rec. November 26, 7.25 p.m.)

London, November 25. Mr. Jeffries, writing on November 23, says:—"The enemy's attacks at Tomba and Monfenera were unprecedentedly violent. The Brandenburg troops, who are specially trained for mountain fighting, assaulted incessantly for twenty-four hours. The Italians are still holding on in Calabria, but have lost heavily. The enemy's casualties, however, were tremendous." _ Mr. Ward Price, writing on Novomber 24, says:—"The Austro-German invasion is reaching a climax towards the Tomba, but seems in favour of the Italians. Terrible fighting is certain within the next few days'. After most severo fighting the Austrians gained a position on the knifelike eastern Tomba Ridge, where they cling precariously. Both sides are hurrying up reinforcements for the decisive trial of strength."—"The Times." " °

ITALIANS' GREAT HANDICAP

(Rec, November 26, 11.15 p.m.)

London, November 25. Mr. M'Clure, tho "Times" correspondent, writes:—"The pressure upon tho Italians contimies. As fast as one of the enemy's divisions is exhausted another is brought up. The Italians are outnumbered, and badly short of guns. Their own shells from their lost guns are raining thick on their own lines."—"The Times."