STORIES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 14, 11 October 1918, Page 5

STORIES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD

TOLD BY CORRESPONDENTS THE NEW ZEALANDERS AT ESNES London, October 9. A- correspondent at British Headquarters, writing on Tuesday, evening, says:—"Over sixteen enemy divisions were to-day given a terrible hammering by the Third and Fourth Armies, with strong American units, and it is certain that a tremendous toll was levied upon tho dwindling German man-power. The operations on the Cambrai-St. Q.uentin front constituted a series of battles, which developed one after another all night, and by daybreak on Tuesday at least fifteen miles of the British "front was ablaze. The infantry attacks generally made progress rapidly, although "sticky" points were encountered. Tho Welsh had the toughest task in breaking through the remainder of tho Beau-revoir-Masnieros lino, but once the Germans were driven out and the Welshmen reached the open, ; the enemy broke. The New Zcalawlers carried Esnes, taking over seven hundred prisoners, and were in the finest Iform. Tho German tanks were of a fairly fast typo, but our gunners soon got the better of them, assisted by our low-flying airmen. The Americans have done brilliantly, and took sixteen hundred prisoners • in capturing Premont. Wo are now well out in! the open rolling country. Our casualties were relatively light.

With the New Icelanders. Mr. Philip Gibbs writes:—"The New Zealanders got away almost too fast, and wero in danger' of getting out of touch with the other troops on their flanks. They had to cross a valley to EsiifS, with ninny concrete dug-outs, and there was hard and desperate lighting, in which many of the enemy were killed. There were many wonderful features'in to-day's battle, to differentiate it from other attacks, one of which was tho unusual hour the assault, began. . Another was the extremely complicated disposition, and movement of the troops; somo lighting eastward against the Beaurevoir line; and 'others northward and southward, and behind. It would have been difficult at any time for troops new to the ground, and it was especially difficult in the darkness. It was astounding that the men wero able to keep direction, but they/lid it." Tho United Press Agency's correspondent states that General EawJinson's troops on Tuesday took GSOO prisoners and 35 guns. .The Americans captured two_ batteries which they are utilising against the Germans. One regiment bolted as the Americans ap-proached.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

STIRRING INCIDENT IN THE ARGONNE PLIGHT OF A LOST BATTALION. I London, October !). Renter's correspondent at American Headquarters, writing on Tuesday ot noon, says: —"Notable progress" was made yesterday in a direction where the gain of ground is essential for our further advance. The capture of a hill abovo Chatel-Cliehery is squeezing out the enemy who'is still lurking in the centre of the Argonno south of Grand Pre. The most interesting event of the day was the extrication of a battalion which had been isolated and surrounded by the enemy in tho Argonno Forest for the past five days. In its advance it had lost touch with the troops on either side. The enemy trickled between and severed the connection. The plight of the battalion was known, and several attempts were made by the French and ourselves to relievo it, but unsuccessfully. Aeroplanes, swooping down on the dense forest,, dropped food arid ammunition and baskets of carrier pigeons at the place it was supposed to bo, but at last the advance of our centre rescued the battalion—Reuter. '