ON THE WESTERN FRONT.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 November 1917, Page 3

ON THE WESTERN FRONT.

THE TANKS BREAK THROUGH

WITHOUT ARTILLERY FIRE

RULES OF BATTLE IGNORED. The United Press correspondent states the battle ignored all the f.terotvped rules. , 'The “Tanks,” in a face, broke and crossed the Hindenburg line, without a single preparatory gunshot. GERMANS DRIVEN BACK. TO LAST LINE OF DEFENCE. (Received This Day at 10.15. a.’n ) NEW YORK, Nov. 21. The Germans have been driven back to their last line of defonco. „ FIVE THOUSAND PRISONERS. (Reuter’s Telegram.) LONDON, Nov. 21. The British, near Cambrai, have prisonerod five thousand. HAIG’S REPORT. OF THE ADVANCE. [AUSTRALIAN <K N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION] A REUTER.] (Received this day at 1.30 p.mA LONDON November 21. General Haig reports that between St. Quentin and the Scarpe “Tanks broke through successive belts of wire of great depth and strength . The infantry followed and stormed the first defensive system of the Hindenburg Line. - The ‘“Tanks” and infantry pressed on and captured the Hindenburg support line, more than a mile beyond. . Several thousand prisoners and a number of guns were captured .

FURTHER, DETAILS

OPERATIONS CONTINUE

[AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION] & REUTER.]

(Received this day at 1.30 p.m.l LONDON November 21. General Haig reports that yesterday morning the Third Army, under Sir Julian Byng, delivered a number of general attacks between St. Quentin and the Scarpe River. The attacks were carried out without previous artillery fire completely surprising the enemy. Qnr troops broke in the enemy’* positions to a depth of four and five miles on a wide front ,and captured several thousand prisoners and a number of guns. Operations continue at the present hour. . During thfc assault on the principal front a large number of tanks moved forward in advance of the infantry, and broke through successive belt R of German wire of great depth and strength