INCIDENTS OF THE BATTLE

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

INCIDENTS OF THE BATTLE

GERMANS' DESPERATE EFFORTS TO CHECK THE ADVANCE THE AUSTRALIANS' TASK London, August 30. Mr. Percival Phillips writes: "The German High Command is making desperate efforts to check the advance at the northern end of the line, and threw in every available man last night. Two attacks mado by four di-. visions, chiefly against the Canadians, between the Cambrai Road and tho Scarpe, were beaten back after hard fighting. Much of yesterday's fighting in the direction of Hendecourt and Bullccourt was again of the rare old fashioned sort. The gunnerß, in spite of tho poor visibility, shelled the fleeing transport by direct observation. Tho Australians in the Bouth are performing a difficult task. The enemy's withdrawal hinges on the northern end, and he is obliged to swing back with the greatest speed between Bapaume and the Somnie; but the Australians have the necessary speed to keep . in touch. The German resistance _at Bitches', west of Peronne, is stiffening, as tho Germans are anxious to destroy tho bridges before they put the river tietween themselves and the Australians, whom thev dislike so heartily." —Aus.-N.Z. Cable-Assn. THE ENEMY ON THE RUN EVERY HOUR BRINGS GOOD ' NEWS. i London, August 30.. Mr. Philip Gibba writes: "From tho hills north of tho Scarpe to south of the Somme, the enemy is retreating, and trying to get away behind his rearguards before he is caught or killed., The machine-gunners in ' places aro fiercely resisting in order to gain time for a more orderly retreat. This defence is strongest on the northern half of tho Australian front, perhaps in order to delay the fall of Peronne. until the enormous stores are removed; hut further north the German army are stealing away both in the darkness and by daylight. Our men'are trucking after them with great elation. They eagerly press on until they are unable to'co further, because they have the enemy on the run. Everv hour brings news of more villages and woods being recaptured."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.

LONDON TROOPS ASTONISHING PROGRESS GERMANY'S HOPES OF VICTORY DESTROYED. (Rec. September 1, 5.5 p.m.) London, August 31. Mr. Philip Gibbs continues: "Since August 23 London troops fighting in tho battle made astonishing progress. They stormed Bayelle, Boiry, and Senequerclle, and took 700 prisoners on their way to Oroisilles, where_ in some places they encountered a terriblo fire from massed machine-guns. With the Scottish they broke tho Hindenburg line across tho Sensee Valley, captured Croisilles, and went half-way to Bullccourt. A brigade-major of the Londoners rode calmly into Croisilles and established himself in advance of his men. Throughout this week, young Londoners, who, in April-last helped to break the German assaults at Arras,, by the most exalted courage have again been fighting with arts that have never failed, though some of them suffered from tho arronv of sleeplessness and lain in wet ditches under the sweep of machine-guns. Our men 'are marvellous, whether Highlanders or Cockneys, Welsh or South Country, Lancashire or Yorkshire. During the last threo weeks they have defeated tho storm divisions of the German Army and wiped out all the enemy's gains sinco March 21, from Amiens to Banaume, and Arras to the Somme, and have for ever destroyed all Gormany's, hopes of victory. By the strength of their souls they have dono this, and by tho risk of their bodies and by the last limit of human pluck, fighting most of all against fatimio and the desire of sleep, more terrible at this time than the enemy ahead.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.