THE GERMAN PLAN AT CAMBRAI

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 63, 7 December 1917, Page 5

THE GERMAN PLAN AT CAMBRAI

ATTACK AND RESULTS REVIEWED CRISIS PERCEPTIBLY EASIER By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright (Rec. December 6, 7.80 p.m.) London, December 5. A high military authority states :-"There is little doubt that the enemy's attack on Cambrai was planned and supported by von. Ludendorff, and wa Sar to our attack that broke through the famous Hindenburg me whch von Ludendorff designed. Von LudcndorlT declared that ]ft ever were broken through he would begin battle manoeuvres which would he fnl. Von LudendorffV plan' was a thoroughly good one, as most German plans were. He carried out a simultaneous attack on both Bides of our salient7with a massed attack on the centre, The at tack on theJour n and Moeuvres front and on the centre failed completely. Although tlie enemy's losses from'these failures were extremely heavy ™ ™Jd notay that ho had not made substantial gams, because a bit of our flank having Xo the supply to the men on the front became difficult, necessitating some adjustment of the line, and possibly a slight on front may be necessary. The Germans may fairly claim to have checked our adra.ee The German claims to the capture o one.hundredgumvand u thousand prisoners may be taken with a grain of salt Wβ h Mg«s| altogether, 050 German guns, of which 510 were taken in 1917, ™mg wa at Cambrai. Regarding the Italian front: "There was great talil tho Press about a coming German attack. lam unable to see any suclmmediate intention. Tho enemy's advance has been definitely checked. -Aus.N.Z. Cablo Assn. ACUTE STAGE OF THE BATTLE APPARENTLY OVER / TOO SOOtf YET TO CLAIM DECISIVE RESULTS. • London, December 5. Mr Gibbs writes :-"A German battalion at La Vacquerie advancedin dens order, without any attempt at concealment. "nta our steady hre. We countered repeated attacks to the west from ' Gonnelieu, and our artillery put out of action many guns in the Banteux a>lie, whore there was a largo concentration of Gorman artillery. Some of the British troops who were cut off and taken prisoner m Friday's fighting are coming back. They have been hiding in the enemy's lines. In one case fortj escaped from a German barbed-wire enclosure, swam the canal, and reio, "tti?"ooToon S claim decisive results, but the anxiety regarding our defence has lifted perceptibly, and to -day thel British commanders we breathin* more easilv. The Germans have struck their heaviest blows, and tho .menace of a German success seems to have passed. His plan was wel thought out. He was cunning in bringing up troops secretly and not launching the attack until our morning patrols had gone their rounds and reported all quiet. But after the first surprise he was punished in a dreadful manner. The grim valour of our men had now broken the assault. - Ans.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. EACH DAY STRENGTHENS THE BRITISH POSITION. (Rec. Uecember 6, 11.40 p.m.) London, December 5. Mr H P. Robinson writes :-"Tho Germans continue their concentrations of troops at Cambrai, but. each day Germans will never convert our victory into a defeat."-Umted Service. GERMAN PRESSURE STILL VERY STRONG FURTHER REINFORCEMENTS ARRIVING FROM FLANDERS AND RUSSIA. (Rec. Uecember 7, OJO a.m.) • London, December t>. _ Mr Percival Phillips writes:—"The pressure on our Cambrai front is still very strong. The enemy is determined to recover Ins lost prestige oy retaking at least a portion of the Hindenburg line, and wo must expect further efforts, and perhaps further fluctuations on the battlefront, but owing to his heavy losses, and our increased gun-power, the Germans more ambitious encircling scheme cannot bo attempted. Further levies from l< anders and Russia are being brought up for slaughter. The enemy has litt 0 cover for "his reserves where wo hold the Hindenburg line."— Aus.-A./j. UMo Arsii. ANOTHER GERMAN ONSLAUGHT PENDING TWO FRESH DIVISIONS COMING UP. London, December 5. The United Press Agency reports that prisoners state that two new finrman divisions arc coming up, and will be thrown into the line slioniy. Moanwhik there is a lull in the enemy attacks. Tho British artillery broke an attempted attack around Moeuvres. The enemy massed 8 ""™™ tween La Vacquerie and Gonneheu, but our gunfire smashed it uctore tuo kick-off.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. THE GERMAN REPORT London, December 0. A Gormnn official report states :-"Encmy attacks south of Moeuvres broke down."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. VON HINDENBURG ALARMED Romo, Deeqmber o> The "Giornale d'ltalia" learns that tho German, reverses on the West front have greatly disturbed von Hindenburg, who is considering the evacuation of vast territories in ordor to avoid cnvelopment.-Aus.-M./,. w» 0 Assn.