INCIDENTS OF THE BATTLE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 294, 31 August 1918, Page 7

INCIDENTS OF THE BATTLE

BULGE IN HINDENBURG LINE GROWING DEEPER CONFUSION IN THE GERMAN RANKS London. August 29. Mr. Perciv.il Phillips writes: — "Though the German High Command must be anxious over the fall of Royo and the Australian advance on Peronne, the peril of the Bapaume position and before Arras must claim attention before all else,'because ths bulge above and behind the- Hindenburg line grows hourly deeper. General Home's Ist Army pushed through the greater part of the defence, which the enemy believed to be 'practically impregnable. Our infantry and guns occupy territory untouch.-d by the British since tho enemy invaded comparatively speaking, the cost of few men. The Germans yielded with great readiness, and their counter-attacks were soon broken. The fate of Bapaunic and Peronne matters littlo by comparison. Meanwhile our extreme right is passive, if the Australians can ever be passive. In any circumstances the oustanding feature of the Ist Army's advance is the symptoms of the enemy's demoralisation. Undoubtedly confusion exists; prisoners are badly suffering from nerves, the infantry accuse the gunners of criminal inaccuracy, and tho officers blame tho Higher Command for ordering impossible counter-attacks. Cases are recorded of- the enemy bolting, for example, at Vis-en-Artois, from the Canadians, and at Bullecourt from the' Londoners; but the machine-Run-ners are ' fighting well."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assu.

GERMAN INFANTRY LOST ITS SPIRIT BRITISH NOT GIVING THEM ANY REST. London, August 29. . Mr. Philip Gibbs, instancing the'confusion of ilm German troops, says: — "Odd battalions and companies were mixed chaotically, but were goaded forward and told that they must fight. On one stretch' of three miles, near Montauhau, there were sixteen battalions,' hopelessly mixed, and drawn from five shattered divisions. Two storm divisions at Mory.and Cherisy were reduced to twenty-five per company. One battalion at St. Leger found itself abandoned by its neighbours, and was surrounded and captured en masse. The commander cursed the Higher Command, which had sent a decimated regiment into battle. The Higher Command, in order to encourage thern, had previously issued- an order declaring: 'We have defeated four British divisions, and they know it.' The High Command sent four divisions against Mpyenncville and Ablainzeville, but, in spite of the encouraging order, many were non-starters. Those who started were caught by our artillery. The slaughter was terrible, and few came to close quarters'. Two new divisions counter-attacked against the Canadians at Monchv, and' again many were non-starters; Only a- few_resolute groups persevered,- yet they, only covered four hundred yards before they were wiped out. Another division was ordered forward, and a number of brave men did their best, hut the disorganised division drifted back. Apart from the gallant machine-gunners, the German infantry, for a time at aiiy rate, has lost its spirit; and has had enough of rearguard fighting. A rot hits set in which will lead to disasters unless tho German Army can be rallied and refreshed. Our men will not give them a rest. The British were not in a good state in- March, but we had reserves. The Germans at present have no such reserves, but we can expect a check at the Drocoiirt-Oiicant line, which is strong, and will bo defended by every available man."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.