GREAT WESTERN DRIVE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 22, 21 October 1918, Page 5

GREAT WESTERN DRIVE

ROUBAIX, TURCOING AND OTHER TOWNS TAKEN BIG BATHE-IN THE OISE REGION RAID BY MOTOR-BOATS The*news from the var zone is very good indeed to-day. The fereat Allied'drive in Flanders 'and Northern Fwnce ■ continues, and the operations mainly : consist of keeping contact with the retreating enemy. Turooing and Roubaix have been captured, and it is reported from New York that French cavalry has entered Ghent, and that Brussels is being evacuated. A London message states that the King and Queen of the Belgians have entered Bruges. Admiral Keyes reports that he had an enthusiastic welcome at Ostend, and after leaving an inshore patrol re-embarked and withdrew in crder to give the Germans no excuse for shelling the town and killing civilians. A great battle has devoloped irij the Oise-Le Cateau region, where, the Germans, threatened with a division of their forces and an exposed flank, are offering- a strenuous resistance. A dashing exploit by four British armed motor-boats is reported, The objective was the late Captain Fryatt's steamer Brussels, lying at the Zeebrugge inble, tad it was Bucessfully attained. President Wilson, replying to the Austrian Note, has declined the proposed 6cheme of Austrian autonomy. i

THE GREAT, NORTHERN DRIVE BELGIANS ENTER BRUGES REPORTED EVACUATION OF BRUSSELS IN PROGRESS By Telograph—Pieas Association-Copyright } New York, October 18. Zeebrugge has been captured. The United Press Agency at Paris learns that the Belgians have'entered Bruges. The Germans had evacuated the town. There are great fires around Zeebrugge and Bruges. The Germans are flooding tho country. Turcoing and Roubaix (north-east of Lille) have been'captured. An extensive German retirement has begun in the ' Laon and Oambrai sectors.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Bee. October 20, 5.5 p.m.) 1 New York, October 18. The British are six miles east of Douai and Mazingliien. The south-east portion of Le Cateau has been captured. It is reported that French cavalry has reached the outskirts of Ghent. .The British have captured Wassigny. British warships off the Belgian coast are shelling the retreating Germans. The British entered Eecloo, surrounding sis thousand Germans, whom they had crowded against the Dutch frontier. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Rec. October 20, 5.5 p.m.) Now York, October 19. • 1 It isreported that the Germans are evacuating Brussels. General March- (United States Chief of Staff) states that the British are approaching Sluis, in Holland—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ENTIRE 'BELGIAN COAST EVACUATED. (Rec. October 20, 5.5 p.m.) , • ' ' London, October 18. The Germans have evacuated the entire Belgian coast. The British in Flanders continue to clear out strong German Rearguards and are advancing steadily. The British had known for a fortnight that the retreat was in progress, the Germans going on their own volition.' The enemy still has half a million reserves, apart from the 1920 class, but they prefer to cut their losses and use the half-million to defend the new line' rather than to holster an untenable and longer line.—Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn. BELGIAN MONAROHS VISIT BRUGES. - (Rec. October 20, 5.5 p.m.) • V _ London, October 19. The King and Queen of the Belgians have entered Bruges. It is reported that thero was comparatively little damage at Ostend. King Albert flew over the town before its evacuation by the Germans.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. MAINLY 'A QUESTION OF KEEPING CONTACT . (Rec. October 20, 5.5 p.m.) .. London, Otober 19. 'Reutor's correspondent at-Brltish Headquarters, writing on the evening of October 18, states: —"The'great northern drive has become mainly a question of keeping in contact with the retreating enemy. Appreciable progress by the Anglo-French forces which are pivoting on Le Cateau would . e Germans exposed on their flank, a situation fraught with the possibilities of a rout. Hence the strenuous resistance encountered by the 'Anglo-American forces under Sir Harry Rawlinson. The enemy's counterattacks at Molan, west of Ribeauville, La'Vallee, and Oulatye led to tho fiercest fighting this morning, with lessening resistance, showing that the enemy s defence had broken. We progressed satisfactorily. The infantry lias gained the line of railway west of Quesnoy. Our patrols reported through Quesnoy itself. We arc also on the west bank of the JJeulc, and have made a good advance in the Le Cateau region, being well beyond the Selle."—Renter. . WAY OPEN TO GHENT. (Rec. October 20, 5.5 p.m.) ir -ir itj l- l . i -r. . London, Otober 19. M. Marcel Hutin states that Prince Rupprccht's retreat is opening the way to an Allied advance on Ghent. "The enemy will have a hard talk to escapo from his difficulty between the 1 Oise and Le Cateau "—Aug -N Z table Assn. - A BLACK DAY FOR THE GERMANS . Reutcr'swrespondent at British Headquarters, writing otho^^veuillg of October h, states: "Phis has been a black day for the German arms, whilst between Lille and the sea a wonderful crop of. the most brilliant accesses was being garnered. The Fourth British Army struck hard between" Lo Cateau and Bohain, aiming m a direction across which the enemy is trvini: to effect his main retreat. The fighting has been heavy, but progress is satisfactory. The principal tactical objectives were reached at an early hour The heaviest resistance was encountered around Le Cateau. The prisoners to-day totalled eight-eon hundred, from six different divisions.—Renter. THE SITUATION AT COURTRAL . „ ' . . , . - London, October 18. The situation at Courtraiis interesting. We hold one-third of tho town, in which are five thousand inhabitants, the Germans retaining the remainder; in which are thirty thousand civilians. We are virtually all round tho place. • The enemy's tenure is decidedly precarious. Ho attempted on Monday night to evacuate all the civilian males from seventeen to fiftv-five Aus.-Nlz. Cable Assn. , COLOSSAL BATTLE IN THE OISE REGION FIGHT FOR VITAL RAILWAY POINTS. (Rec. October 20, 5.5 p.m.) 1 London, October 18. Renter s correspondent at French Headquarters, writing on Thursday evening, states: "The Anglo-French rttacks began in the morning between Le Cateau and the Oise. and are culminating in a colossal battle. Fighting began at 8.8 a.m., Rawlinson f.nd Debeney advancing on the rail- ' way.connecting the enemy' 3 front between the Oise and Rethel with the great junction of Hirson, and thereby with Germany. Debeney's First ,Anny attacked on a front of twelve miles, between the Forest of Aneizy, crowning tho Oise-Sauterie watershed, and the Oise region at Ribemont, Debeney's left in the afternoon was' within two miles of Vadencourt station on the Laon-iWassigny-Hirson railway. The Germans have strong forces on tho whole of this front, and are resisting tenaciously."—Router,

THE NAVAL LANDING AT OSTEND FORCES RE-EMEARK TO SAVE POPULATION FROM CfERMAN SHELL-FIIIE. (Rec. October 20, 5.5 p.m.) London, October 19. . Admiral Sir Roger Keyes reports: "The situation between Nieuport and Ostend on the morning of Octpber 17 was obscure. It seemed uncertain whether the enemy had withdrawn. No fires had been started in either Middelkerke or Ostein!. A division of destroyers reconnoitred, the coast, aircraft assisting, and arrived at Ostend at eleven o'clock in the morning. An aeroplane lantlcd on tho beach, where large crowds of the inhabitants were assembled. I entered tho harbour in a whaler, and landed at 11.30 a.m., meeting with a. great reception. The enemy was not yet clear of the town, and his light battery at Lecoq opened fire on tho ships, two' shells falling on the beach closo to the crowd. A heavy battery -of four guns from the direction of Zeebrugge opened fire on the destroyers, and as it seemed possible that the presence of the naval forces might lead'to the bombardment of Ostend or to more shells falling in the town, thus endangering the lives of civilians who were parading the streets, I decided to withdraw the naval force and give the enemy no excuse for firing at Ostend. lire-embarked, and the destroyers withdrew, heavily shelled, to just eastward of Middelkerke. Four motor launches remained at Oetend as an inshore patrol. T>ho inhabitants were nervous lest the Germans_ would return. ' . "Tho King and Queen of the Belgians expressed a wish to visit Ostend by sea or air. Owing to the difficulty of landing and the uncertainty of _ the situation, they proceeded in the British destroyer Termamant to the vicinity of Ostend, and were received on landing with indescribable enthusiasm. They returned to Dunkirk at ten o'clock at night. The British naval forces were not damaged, and no casualties rcere suffered."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. GERMANS ATTEMPT TO BLOCK THE FAIRWAY. (R-ec. October 20, 5.5 p.m.) London, October 19. The Germans, before evacuating Ostend, sank a large paddle-steamer with the object of blocking the fairway between the Vindictive and the pier. Other small craft were sunk in the harbour. The captures at Oetend included a Tirpitzs battery, With an enormous quantity or material, which the Germans could not withdraw. Tremendous explosions have been heard.. It is beiieved that the Germans are destroying their big batteries.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE FIGHT FOR GRAND-PRE London, October 18. Renter's correspondent at American Headquarters, writing on October "17, states: "The capture of Graaid-Pre yesterday was accomplished without artillery preparation. The Germans, with a view to rendering pursuit more difficult, destroyed the bridges over the Aire. Instead of bridging the river the Americans forded the shallow stream at four points, under a murderous fire, and after bitter hand-to-hand fighting drove the Germans out of GraridPre and took possession of this important railhead."—Router. A SURVEY OF THE SITUATION ■ (Rec. Oetober 20, 11.5 p.m.) Londop, October 19. ' So far Zeebrugge has not yet completely fallen. The Germans are holding tho outskirts, and also the southern and western outskirts of Bruges. The Belgians hare reached some points on the Zeebrugge-Bruges Canal. We have reached the Oise on a wide front west of Guise, and are also approaching the Sambre Canal. This is an important line, because it gives the enemy a waterline through Maubeuge to Namur, We may be sure the enemy will hold it with all the strength at his disposal. In the' region east of Vouziers the French have made a big dent in the German line and captured Vandy. The general view of the situation is that in Flanders and as far as the Scarpe the enemy's retreat is continuing under cover of strong rearguards. Further south the Germans are exeouting small local retirements under extreme pressure. They cannot relinquish much ground south of Sambre and the Oise without risking vital points seriously affecting their strategy. It might mean the cutting of their armies in two and materially alter the whole situation if the Allies advance from twenty to twenty-five miles.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. WHAT STARTED THE ROT' FOCH'S TRIBUTE TO THE BRI TISH. (Rec. October 20, 5.5 p.m.) London, October 19. The "Manchester Guardian" says that Marshal Foch 'recently told Sir Douglas Haig personally that the British break through the Hindenburg line caused Germany to offer peace.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ENEMY UNABLE TO REPAIR HIS LOSSES. (Rec. October 20, 5,5 p.m.) London, Otober 19. A striking - feature of tho situation is the enemy's inability to replace his last three months' losses. The Germans do not attempt to dispute the general superiority of tho British, but are content to concentrate their strength on particular sectors. Von Below, in a recent Army Order, said that tho numbers of German air scouts could never equal the enemy's strength in fighting-machines. Troops on quiet.sectors must therefore rely on ground defences. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE QUIET AND CONFIDENT. London, October 18. There is a tone of quiet confidence about the business of the London Stock Exchange. Consols closed at £60 ss.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. "PEACE NOTES" IN GERMAN ARMY - (Rec. October 21, 1.15 a.m.) . New York, October 19. Mr. James, with the American Army, cables: "Prisoners say that the German Notes, with President Wilson's replies, arc posted at all the German Headquarters, Captured orders tell the German soldiers that they must figlit their hardest now on purpose to get bettor peace terms, and guard the Fatherland from invasion." Mr, James continues: "I saw a. document which was circulated among the German -soldiers saying that France, America, and Italy wanted peace, and also a. leaflet saying that when the German armies were withdrawn from France and Belgium, the American and British Annies would withdraw from France." DUTCH ARMY PREPARED FOR EMERGENCIES (Rec. October 20, 5.5 p.m.) Amsterdam, October 19. The Dutch Army's leave was cancelled in readiness for any emergency. Holland is making provision for war victims. Rifle and fire have been heard near the frontier.' The Qermans have flooded tlio districts westward of Antwerp, with a view to making a stand."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE OFFICIAL REPORTS SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S DISPATCHES London, October 18. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "The- Gorman retreat began under pressure of the armies commanded. by the King of the Belgians, and continued on the whole front between .the North Sea and the Lys. By .the evening the advance had reached a depth of 12} miles on a front of over 31 miles. The Belgians entered Ostend, and their cavalry are at the gates of Bruges. The Belgian cavalry has occupied Ingelmunster. Tho French • captured Pitthem, Jleulebeko, and Wynghene. Further south tho British Second Army occupied the lino of tho Lys north of C'ourtrai. South of that town the British crossed the river, and reached the outskirts of Turcoing."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.Reuter. London, October 19, 5 a.m. Sir Dounlas Haijr; reports:—"Tho day was marked by stubborn resistance on the line from Bruges to Oastcamp, AVyngene, Thielt, and Oostroosebeke. AVo overcame the enemy's resistance east of Oostcamp and Oostroosebeke. The Belgians south-west of Bruges are making considerable progress,crossing the Bruges-Ostend Canal at soveral points and advancing northwards. They occupied Oostcamp, and reached the approaches of Bruges. Tho British Second Army improved their line south of the Lys, and crossed the Courtrai-Mouscron railway at a number of points. Theßritish in the afternoon occupied Boubaix and Turcohig."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aesii.-Reuter. THE BATTLE. ON THE BOHAIN FRONT. London, October 18, 12.35 a.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "This morning the British and Americans attacked on a nine-mile front, north-east of Bohain, and met with strong opposition on the whole front. There was heavy fighting all day. On the right the British, attacking in close co-operation with the French north of the Oi:w, advanced two miles in depth across tho high, wooded ground east of Bohain, and captured Andigny-les-Fermes. Further north we carried tho line of the Selle River on the whole front south of L e Citeiui, and made progress on tiic high ground cast of the river, capturing La Vallee-Mulatre mul I'Arbro do Guise. On the loft flank, by an attack, «ve cleared the eastern portion of Le Catean, ami established ourselves on the l:'no of railway beyond the town. The enemy held these positions in force, seven German divisions being on the front of attack, and delivered a number of determined counter-attacks. All were iepulsed with heavy enemy losses. We took over three thousand- prisoners in these operations. Threatened by tho continued Allied progress south of the Sensee mid north of the Lys, the ei'tniy is hastening his retreat from tho Douai-Lillo salient. Wo entered Douai, having broken the enemy's resistance on the line of tho Haute Deule Canal. The troops of the Fifth Army, under General Birdwood, having pressed back tho enemy's rearguards with great activity and determination for .many weeks, to-day encircled and captured Lille." . In a later diepatch Sir Douglas Haig reports: "Tho prisoners taken in the operations on the Bohain-Le (Mean front exceed four thousand, and a. number of guns were taken., Wβ continue to advanco on the whole front between the Sensee Canal and the River Lys. , Wβ have crossed the canal on a-

wide front north of Cambrai, and are now astride tho Douai-Denain road, four miles soutli-east of Doiini, and liavo captured a number of villages,"— Aus.-N.Z. Gable Aesn .-Router. (Roc. October 20, 5.5 p.m.) London, October 19. 1 a.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports: —"Tho British and Americans continued their attack between Bohain and Le Cateau and mado good progress in co-opera-tion with the French on their right. In spito of heavy resistance we once moro have driven the enemy from the positions ho took up. We captured Wassigny and Ribeauvaillo and entered Bazeul, whore fighting continues. "Wo took prisoner over twelve hundred in these operations. Between tho .Sensed Canal and the Lys the enemy's forced retreat continues. We further advanced five miles despite considerable opposition. General Home's First Army completed the capture of Douai and made progress eastwards on this front. We have reached a general lino from Marquette-nos-Trevant to MasJiy, Bersoe, Fretin, Sainghin, and Ascq. Northward of Ascq Genera] Plumer's Second Army are eastward of Roubaix and Tourcoing."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. (R<?o. October 20, 11.5 p.m.) i London, October 19,1.25 a.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "We have made further progress north-east of Bohain, capturing the village of Mazinghien, and comploting the capturo of Baziiel. Our advance continues northward of the Senseo Canal. We drovo the Germans out from Emeroseicourt and Pecquencourt, and are in contact with the enemy eastward of Vred and Cattelet. Further north we crossed .the Marcq Eivor, between Sainghin and Chereng, and arc approaching Ohereng." —Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn.-Reuter. (Rec. October 21, 0.30 a.m.) London, Oqtober 20. Sir Douglas Haig reports :—"Trie Anglo-American forces this morning, operating in conjunction with the French between tho Oise and Le Cateau, successfully renewed their advance. We reached the west bank cf the Sambre and Oise Canal northward, and took possession of the high groound westward of Catillon. In our operations during the past three days in this sector General Rawlinson's 4th Army completed an advance from five to eight miles across difficult country, which the enemy defended with tenacity. Having driven the enemy on the first day of their attack from strong positions oh the right bank of the Selle River by determined and persistent fighting, they successfully cleared the whole of the high ground eastwards of the river-line, capturing many villages in the course of their advance, with over iSOOO prisoners and a number of guns.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Asns.-Reute'r. , FRANCO-BELGIAN COMMUNIQUES London, October 18, 1.20 a.m. A' French communique stater■, ''The French, co-operating with the British and Belgians, captured Pittb.em, Meulebeke, and Wynghene, despite vigorous resistance."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Asan.-Reuter. London, October 18. A Belgian communique states: "Thp attacks carried oitt- by the French and Belgians einco Monday nave completely succeeded on the whole front in Flanders. Tho beaten enemy continues to retreat, and is closely followed by the Allied troops. On the left the Belgians 'crossed the Yser in piirsuitof the enemy, and our infantry entered Ostend in the afternoon; Further east we reached the line of Oudenburg, Zedeghem, arid Ruddervoorde. The Belgian cavalry is hustling the enemy rearguards, and has reached the outskirts of Bruges. In the centre the 'French advanced considerably beyond Zwevezeele and"Pitthem, carried Wynghem, and reached the outskirts of Thielt. To the south the Belgians reached the junction of the Mandel Canal and the Lys, and skirt the river to Harlebeke. Indescribable enthusiasm prevails among the civilians in the reconquered territory."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.Reuter. ' ..... (Rec. October 20, 5.5 p.m.) London, October 19. A Belgian coiunvunique states:—"The Anglo-French forces in the morning resumed the advance. The Belgians have reached a general line from Ostend to Oudenburg, Ettelheim, Varssenaere, St. Andre, and St. Michel. Towards the east the enemy's resistance was strong, and resulted in hand-to-hand fighting. We reached the eastern outskirts of Oostcamp and- Riengbeek, capturing Oostroosebeke, and advanced about a mile bej;ond,"—Aus.N.Z. Cahle Assu.-Reuter. "' ;. ALL-DAY FIGHTING ON TfIEOISE ' London, October 18. , A French communique states: "The French' in the region of the Oise sharply attaoked all day between the Andigny Forest and the river, and captured Petit Verly, Marchavenne, Mont Dorigny, besides 1200 prisoners. The enemy furiously counter-attacked west of Grand-Pre, where we advanced north of OliK) , ."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.

(Bee. October 20, 5.5 p.m.) ' London, October 18. A French communique reports: "On tlio right bank of the Oise there was a violent enemy artillery reaction. Between the Oise and the Serre cur pressure during the past few days has obliged the enemy to begin a fresh withdrawal. We pursued the German rearguards and occupied Angnilcourt, west of Grand-Pre. Extremely bitter fighting continues, and extended this morning as far as the height of Vouziers. We crossed the Aisne at this point."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. ' (Rec. Ootober 21, 0.20 a.m.) ! ■ London, October 20. 'A French communique states: "During tlie night our First Array, continuing its victorious advance, completed the task of throwing back the enemy, who was endeavouring to maintain at all costs his position on the west bank of the Oise. -We presently reached the canal from east of the forest of Andigny to the north of Hauteville. "We hold Hannappes, Tupigny, and Noyales, and also the majority of the places bordering on tho canal. Since the opening of the battle in this region on October 17 we have taken 3000 prisoners and captured twenty guns, a considerable number of machine-guns, and important war material, including &n entire munition train. On the Aisne front wo cleared out tho onemy between the canal and the Aisne to the west of Attigny, and captured Ambley and Lehaut, taking prisoners," —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. AMERICANS BEYOND GRAND-PRE ' Londonj October 18. An American official message states: "We captured and paesed beyond Grand-Pre, taking an .additional thousand prisoners."—Aus>N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. (Bee. October 20, 5.5 p.m.) London, October 19. An American communique reports:-"Westward of the Meiise our, advance was continued. We took Batheville, entered the northern edge of the l!ois de Loges, and captured Talma Farm, westward of Grand-Pre, after severe fighting. Eastward of the Meuse we repulsed fresh attempts to drive- us out from our new positions in the Bois Grande Montagne. The Americans participating in the' British attack en Thursday southward of Lβ Cateau penetrated two miles, and stormed Molain, St. Martin Riviere, and Larbre de Guise, west of the Oise. The First Army reattacked in tho morning from Andigny Forest' to the river, and gained fresh successes, and recaptured the village of Mannflvret. In the Forestof Andigny, where we hold tho eastern outskirts, we advanced over 3 miles in this region under most difficult conditions, and reached the outskirts of Hannappes, Grand Verly, and Doyales, and captured the villages of Grougis, Aisonville, and Berneyille, in spite of furious resistance. ; Further south our advance guards continued the pursuit of tho enemy between the Oiso and the Serre, and advanced north of Bery-les-Mezieres and the outskirts of Surfontaine and north of Nouvion and Capillon— over five miles beyond tho confluence of the two rivers. We occupied ten villages. Fifteen hundred prisoners have so far been counted. We crossed the Afsne on a front , of over three miles on both sides of Vouzieres, and obtained a lodgment in the hills east ' f the village. Vandy was captured, ivith several fortified farms and several hundred prisoners. Further east we advanced in the wooded region between Olizy and Grand-Pre."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. THE ENEMY'S REPORT (Rec. Ootober 20, 5.5 p.m.) London,. October 18. A wireless German official report states: "We have evacuated Osteud, Turcoing, Roubaix, Lille, and Douai."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.