THE HINDENBURG LINE BROKEN

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 295, 2 September 1918, Page 5

THE HINDENBURG LINE BROKEN

STRIKING SUCCESSES BY BRITISH AND FRENCH MANY IMPORTANT POSITIONS CAPTURED 1 By Telegraph-Press ABSoolatlon-Copyrlelit. New York, August 30. The British armieß have smashed the Hindenburg line, and are now be-' o .,ining to roll up the German armies on the Picardy front. The British east of Arras have gained two thousand yards and captured Reincourt, Bullecourt, and HendicourUez-Cagnicourt. West of Peronne they captured CleryThe New Zealanderß captured Bapaume. The British have captured Combles, and have penetrated several miles beyond the town. Le Transloy.has been taken.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. .•:■ (Rec.'September 1, 5.5 p.m.) / New York, August 31. Mont Kemmel has been captured. The British have captured Dranoutre. The Australians are advancing east of Clery-sur-Sbmme, and have captured many prisoners. The Germans are retreating rapidly opposite Bethune. The British have oaptured Mont St.. Quon tin (north of Bronne), and are attacking Harrieres Wood, north of Peronne.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GREAT ADVANCE BY THE BRITISH TO WITHIN A MILE OF THE D KOCOUET-QUEANT SWITCH '■ ■ >i. ;■ '• LINE - ■'• ' i (Rec. September 1, 5.5 p.m.) London, August 30. The British this morning advanced two thousand yards on a front of seven miles, from Bullecourt to the Scarpe, bringing them almost within a mile of the Drocourt-Queant switch line We have taken Reincourt aud Combles, and are'holding the Sommo line from Buscourt, west of Peronne, to the junotion with the French lines. We have also nlaced advauced pests across the Somme, north of Biaches, and at Eterpigny. There is little sows from the Trench front. The French an? holding the. lino of the Sommo and canals as far as Noyon.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable. Assn. HINDENBURG LINE BROKEN BY THE CANADIANS (Rec. September 1, 5.5 p.m.) London, August 31. The Canadians have been used in several surpriso attacks. Yesterday, netween Bullecourt and Cherisy, thoy easily broke the Hindenburg line, advancing a mile further'oast than the March line: This advance brings the armies within a mile of tho great switoh. line from Drocourt to Queant, which British correspondents agree is of immense strength. It is more heavily barricaded than the Hindenburg line itself. It is not yet clear whether the Germans intended to make a prolonged stand here or were retiring to the switch. In view of the First Army bursting the Hindenburg lino south of the Scarpa, tho momentous question is, Will the Germans stand firm at Drocourt, r.r do tbey, for some reason of moral rr politics, intend to prolong the retreat? Some critics discuss the possibility of a retirement to the Mouse, as a short defensive line would release numerous divisions, or even a retirement to a more distant line, as a preliminary to a peace offensive. The whole'of Franco and Britain are profoundly stirred, by events, and their temper is' using. No doubt the Allied armies will follow and strike wherever the Germans stand. The German public is most depressed, but comments indicato that tho bitter disappointment is confined to failure to grab Paris and tho Channel ports,—United Service. A DAY OF STRIKING SUCCESSES. t, . , ~,,., London, August 30. i Roports from tho front, timed 3.30 p.m., show that the British and flench had striking successes to-day.. Tho Fronch have taken Noyon; tho British have captured Bapaume, and reached the Bapaume-Beaulencourt Road, and the advanced troops ar o monacing Beaulencoiirt. We have taken rcssession of the. high ground north-east ot Gueudecourt, also reached the westem outskirts of Maurcpas A striking advanco has .been made in the Sommo region. We have reached the south and western banks of the river between Peronne and Happhncourt, seriously menacing the enemy within Poronne. lwo important bridgeheads are in our hands.—"Tho Times." PERONNE SERIOUSLY THREATENED AUSTRALIANS ALMOST WITHIN STRIKING DISTANCE. (Rec. August 31, 5.5 p.m.) ~.,„. „~. .. New York, August 30. Tho "New \ork Times' Washington correspondent learns that official iWar Department dispatches from I'iance say thatTeromie is seriously threatened as a result of the Allies'advance.— Cablo Assn. . ■ • London, August 30. A United Press correspondent writes:—"The Australians now face Perenne, across tho Sommc. They have reached almost within striking distance of the town on the north bunk, a« they have crossed the bridgo to Clery. Combles was taken, together with a battery of field guns."—Aub.-N.Z. Cable Assn.. GERMAN EVACUATION OF BAILLEUL REPORTED. New York, August 30. The Germans are reported to have evacuated Bailleul (ten miles south- • west of Ypres).—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Atfn. WHERE THE LINE RUNS NOW (Rec. September 1, 11.15 p.m.) .London, August 31, evening. The French made a Bmall advance in the Ailette neighbourhood, and occupied the southern outskirts 1 of a wood about three-quarters of a mile oouth-weßt of Oouony-le-Ohateau, The British have captured Mont St. Quen-

tin, more than a milo nortli of Peronne, and moved in tlto direction of Bussu. Our lino north of the Sommo runs east of Clery-sur-Sommo to the western edge of Harrier Wood, and touches Combles station, cast of Morvnl (which the enemy holds), Bcauloncourt. ease of lioincoiirt-los-Bapaunie, Fremicourt, Vaulx Vrancourt. Eseoust which tho enemy holds), Ecoust St. Mein, the northern edgo of Bullecourt, the western edge of Hendecourt, St. Servin Farm, and Eterpigny. Wo hold Plouvain, and also a thousand yards of the German lino north of Arleux, in tho Lys salient, tho lino beginning, about a milo from I'Etcuret, and running from lo Courtense, which we hold, following tho Rivo Lawo to Lestrem, crosses tho Neuf Borquin road 1500 yards east of Neuf Borquin, Donlieu, and Notterboom, and a mile and a hall' east of Bailleul and oast of Dranoutre. We hold Mont do Lille.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. OFFICIAL REPORTS SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S DISPATCHES. Tho High Commissioner reports:— London, August 30, 1.10 p.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—"Clery-sur-Somnie and Combles have been , taken by our forces; also Bullecourt and Hendecourt-lez-Cagndcourt. In other districts wo are pushing forward." London, August 31, 3.20 p.m. Mont Keramell has been captured. (Rec. September 1, 5.5 p.m.) London, August 31, 0.20 a.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—"Operations; are proceeding satisfactorily eastward and northward of Bapaume despite increased resistance. Hard fighting has taken place on tho greater part of this front, and the enemy made a number of heavy counter-attacks. Wo have entered Biencourt-l»z---liapaume and Bancourt, whore we atti'-ely engaged the enemy all day. long. We have captured Fremicourt and Vaul." Vrancourt, and reached the western outskirts of Beugny. The. enemy is still obstinately defending Ecoust St. Mein, though closely pressed. Determined counter-attacks by strong forces ai Bullecourt and Hendecourt compelled us to fall back to tho western outskirts', and to the German trench s-vstem between these villages, where our fire stopped the enemy's attack. The Canadians successfully attacked astride tho Arras-C'ambrai Road, and overcame the defences between Hendecourt and Haucourt, capturing Haucourt, and tsking / hundreds of prisoners. We maintained vigorous pressure 'southward of Bapaume, and gained 1 ground., We also progressed eastward and i:orth-eastward of Clery, taking 300 prisoners. We closely kollowed the withdrawing enemy in the Lys sector, and took possession of Bailluel."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. (Rec. September 1, 5.5 p.m.) London, August 31,1.45 p.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—"Daring the night the Australians drove tho enemy to positions eastward of Clery, capturing many prisoners and a, rumbei of machine-guns. Our advance in this locality continues. Yesterday afternoon English troops engaged in a successful operation northward of the Arras-Cambrai Road, capturing' mi important • strong point known as St. Serwins Farm, also Eterpigny, on the east bank of the Sensee River. On the Lys front we hold La Coutre r-rd. the line of the Lawe River from v ielle Chapelle to Lestrem, both of which villages are in our hands. We are approaching Doulieu, have gained the Bailluel station and tho hill to the e?st known as Mont de Lille. We have entered Dranoutre, and gained ground torthward otf Kemmel Hill."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. (Ree. September 1, 11 p.m.) London, August 31. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "The Australians captured the hill and village of Mont St. Quentin. This is important as commanding the Peronne angle of the Somrae. At Fieuillacourt (north-west o.f Mont St. Quentin) we took 1500 prisoners. Wo are still advancing and have taken many prisoners."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. ON THE FRENCH FRONT London, August 30. A French communique states:—"During the day we progressed in the region of the Canal du Nord, which we skirt on its whole length, except towards Catigny and Sermaize. We captured the Bois-du-Quesnoy, iiortheast of Ecuvi'lly and Beaurains. In the_ south the battle became bitterly violent. We carried Noyon by sheer fighting, and reached the southern edge of Haplinenuri, east of Noyon. We gained a footing on tho southern slopes' of Mont St. Simeon, and took Landrimont And Morlincourt. Several hundred prisoners were captured. We crossed the Ailette at several points ; north u'.ia south of Champs, despite resistance. Wo have captured Cuny Font St. Mard."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Reuter. (Rec. September 1, 5.5 p.m.) London, August 31. A French communique states: —"We threw back to the eastern bank of the Canal du Nord the remaining enemy'detachments, and captured Catigny end Sermaize. Following up, wo ciossed the canal at two points before Catigny, and Beaurains, capturing Chevilly and Hill 69, and reaching Genvry. Further south there was desperate fighting in the region north and east of Noyon. We hold Happlincourt and Mont St. Simeon. We captured the village of Champs, north of tho Ailette, also Chavigny and Cuffies. North of Soissons we have reached tho outskirts of Crouy."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. (Rec. September 1, 5.5 p.m.) London, August 31, 4 p.m. A French official communique states:—"There was a lively artillery duel at night-time in the region of the Canal du Nord, also north of Noyon and between the Ailette and the Aisno."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.

AMERICANS PROGRESS NORTH OF THE AISNE London, August 30. An American communiqiio states:-"North of the Aisne we mado progress in the region of Juvincourt, in spite of strong enemy resistance. Our patrols along the Vesle and in thu Woeuvre brought in prisoners."— Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Reuter. THE ENEMY'S REPORTS London, August .10. Admiralty, per wireless press.—A German official report states:—"We iepulsed five English attacks botweeri the Scarpe and the Sensee Rivers. We recaptured Boiry Notro Dame three times, but the enemy, by an evening attack, retook it. We repulsed seven attacks south of Croisillos and southeast df Moiry. The enemy advanced beyond Dompicrre, Belloy, Neslc, Beaulieu, and Suzoy. Noyon now lies in front of our battlcfront."—Aus.-N Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. . , , . The German evening official report states:—"Fighting occurred in front ot our new lines east of Bapaume and about Peronne and Noyon."—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. V (Rec. September 1, 5.5 p.m.) London, August 31. I A.wireless German official report states:—"After bitter fighting we captured Reincourt and tho eastern part of Bullecourt. We shifted our defence to a line running eastward of Bapaume to the north-west cif Peronne. The French obtained a foothold on' tho east bank of the Ailette westward of Foombray. A Franco-American attack between Pont St. Mard and Chauvigny severely failed." ~ A German official report issued this evening states:— 'Great attacks on a wide front south-eastward of Arras failed."—Aus.-N.Z. t able iissn.-Reuter. . (Rec. September 1, 11.35 p.m.) London, August 31, 8 p.m. . A wireless German official report states: "We have recaptured Hendecourt and have thrown back the enemy on both sides of Bullecourt and beyond. tho western border of the village. We have recaptured Ecoust. The French attacks between Libermont and north-east of Noyon were mostly brought to a standstill. • On the west bank of the Oise wo recaptured Clievilly. Tho enemy has captured Jiivigny."—Aub.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Reuter. .PROGRESS OF THE FRENCH ARMIES ENEMY STOUTLY DEFENDING VITAL POSITIONS. London, August 30. Reuter's correspondent at French Headquarters writes: "To-day tho Germans are counter-attacking along the whole line. They aro holding stoutly in many places, with a view to a lurther retirement at a more favourable moment. General de Beney's arnfy southward of Nesle is making progress in the region of Moyencourt and Breuil, and also towards and along tho unfinished Nesle-Noyon Canal (tho Canal du Nord). General Humbert's army has captured Beaurains and Scrmaize. General Mangin's army is faced by the long rampart of hills from Mont St. Simeon to Cliauny. This army is firmly, established on the Laffaux Plateau. It has captured Tartiers and is close to Juvigny. Tho next step in the development of the battle depends on the advance of the armies north of the Somme. After carrying Noyon the (French infantry reached the southom slopes of Mont Saint Simeon. Some units crossed the Ailette, and in conjunction with the Americans they continue to press tho enemy on the plateau at Juvigay. The enemy, knowing the vital valuo of these positions, is evidently prepared to defend them at all costs, and is throwing in the best troops available, including the Guards."— Reutor. IMPORTANCE OF THE LATEST GAINS TWO OF THE ENEMY'S MAIN LINES OF DEFENCE PIERCED. (Rec. September 1, 5.5 p.m.) London, August 31. Reuter's correspondent at French Headquarters, writing, on Friday opening, states:—"The latest gains aro highly important strategically. After the capture of Noyon and Chipilly, which overlooks flie Nove Valley, tho enemy tried to ro-onter Noyon, but was repulsed. The French developed tho success, and reached tho foot of Mont St. Simeon, forming the western limit of tho great ridgo overlooking tho Oise, and protecting tho enemy's right. After further fierce fighting tho French reached tho summit of the mount, establishing themselves on the great natural rampart on which the enemy relies to guard his (lank while withdrxwing his front before the attacks by General Doboncy's and General Radinsoii's armies. Two main linos of defence on which the Germans have been holding, namely, the unfinished canal near Chipilly and tho Oisn heights, havo been pierced. The enemy's only natural line of resistance between the present unsteady positions and the old Hindenburg Line is the Noyon-St.Quentin Road, ifrom Ham to Bcrlanconrk. Along this front ho will bo able to face General Deboney's army from the west, but his right will bo open to attacks from the Oise Hoights." A later message says:—"The stiuggle continues violently oil the whclo front of Generals De.benoy's, Humbert's, ami Mangin's armies. Tho enemy's resistance is particularly fierce on tho French right, but diminishes towards the centre, and then increases again on the British front. The Germans evidently desired at all costs to protect tho flanks of their retreating lit.e. General Mangin has gained a firm footing on'the plateau after tho fiercest fighting. General Mangin has enlarged the bridgehead around Champs, on the right of the Ailette. General Humbert is firmly maintaining his afternoon successes at Happlincourt and St. Simeon."—Reuter.