THE WAR.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 November 1917, Page 2

THE WAR.

[PEB PBESB ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.] THE WESTERN FRONT. STILL PROGRESSING. MUCH BOOTY CAPTURED. LONDON November 22. The United Press correspondent says th© British are e-tiil advancing. The cavalry is preceded by the tanks and followed (by the infantry: Tho correspondent believed that the number of guns taken considerably exceeds the figures announced whilst the captures of machine guns trench mortars and other booty is important. The present loperations smack of old-time wars in the open with cavalry on the move along the roads' and across the fields jumping trenches and following tracks which the tanks made through tliej jentatnglementß . Our loses were the smallest, the tanks, infantry, and artillery combined, stopping seven counter-attacks before the latter got fairly under weigh. Four occurred in the region of Bullecourt where the British took the principal defence line of the Hindenburg system, and three south-west of Cambrai. Of the latter, the first was against Noyelles, the second between Noyelles and Masmieres and the third against Masmieres. The weather is mild and foggy.

FONTAINE LOST. LONDON November 23.

Marshal Haig reports: The day was spent on the southern battle front consolidating a large area whereover, we .advanced during tlx* last two days. This was successfully carried out except at Fontaine Notre Dame, which the enemy has retaken by a counter attack.

Much credit is due to the transportation sercvice for the rapid concentration in the recent operations. Roads and bridges, broad guage and light, were developed and since tho advance they have been extended in a manner which contributed largely-rio the success of the preparations and subsequent operations. Artillery activity bn the northern battle front is intense in the neighbourhood of Passchendaelo.

There was no infantry action by either side .

STULL ADVANCING. LONDON, Nov. 22. The United Press states that the tanks, cavalry and infantry are still advancing Correspondents personally estimate the total of prisoners as well over,lo,000. The British penetrated in places to a depth of nearly eight miles. Several counter-attacks failed miserably.

PHILLIP GIBB’S ACCOUNT.

GERMANS FOUGHT BRAVELY. TANKS OVERTURNED BY SHELL FIRE. LONDON, November 22. Mr. Phillip Gibbs writes:—The Germans kept their nerve and served the machine-guns till the tanks silMiced them. Others sniped our men at close quarters; but mostly the enemy broke down as soon as the tanks appeared. ,A few tanks had bad luck by shell lire, or got overturned head downwards where they attempted to negotiate steejp banks; hut the tanks’ casualties were light. A large number fought all day on Flesquicrs ridge ind around Havrincourt chateau, where the enemy held out for some. time. The Germans fought bravely at Havrincourt Cheau, Lateau Wood, and Flesquicrs village. This defence of the village upon a ridge against Highlanders was a serious impedL" ment. ltd our general advance and a special attack organised earlier on Tuesday in a novel manner by tanks and cavalry skirmishes, the infantry .following in open order. The village seems to have been stormed and the ridge cleared. Later in the afternoon there was fierce about Flesquiers, where many gallant actions were recorded.

The Durhams charged seven German guns ■ which had been firing point blank on our advancing tanks. The Durhams captured the guns killing the gunners. The West Yorkshires did a similar exploit at Enrimy Chapel where they charged and captured three seventyfives and before five in the evening Marcoing and Masuieres _ were secured.

The troops advanced steadily gathering prisoners and occupying villages. They found a number of French civilians who were rejoiced to meet their liberators.

After heavy fighting the troops cleared the Lateau Wood and mopped up the snipers at Ribecourt . It is reported that when the cavalry reached Noyeflles, • the enemy counter attacked on the left at 8.30 in the evening. Then came the cavalry charge against th© guns at Noyelles which they brought in. Fighting Iceased for most part of the nigbt: but the infantry and cavalry [and Hanks (advanced again at dawn on Wednesday.

Tlie greatest fighting was on the left of our flank.

MR. MASSEY’S YTEWS

WELLINGTON. Nov. 22.

Commenting on the latest victory on the West Front. the Prime Minister says that news received this morning of the great victory on the Western Front' had gladdened the hearts of British -soldiers over the very best men that Germany can place in the field. At a time like this when we are anxiously watching the events taking place in Russia, and Italy, victory is doubly wel come, and it is welcome to us so it, must have been a terrible surprise to the whole of the forces of the Cemral Powers. We may still experience disappointments before the end comes, but courage and resource, such n‘s General Haig and his soldiers have displayed, backed up by determination on the part of the non-combatant citizens, will, without a shadow of doubt, see the war through to the conclusion which we desire.”

artillery duel. LONDON November 23. A n artillery duel of marked intensity is progressing in the region north of Chemin de s Dames, between the Aisne and Lamientte and in the Champagne on the right bank of the Meuse. Violent artillery action is m progress in the sector north of Cambrettes.

german report

LONDON November 22,

Wireless German official:—'We repulsed English thrusts of Len s and southward of Scarpo and m the neighbourhood of ReuicourU Tlie battle south-west of Cambrai continues. , .. , The enemy failed to break through gaining only a little ground beyond our front lines. We drove back the enemy .to A linen* Fontaine, and recaptured positions southward of Rumilly. Wreckage of tanks dies over the whole battlefield . iStrbng Frenjoh, tjhnidts made between Craonne and Leorry an ac failed except north-east of Laville aux Dois

troops STILL ACTIVE

HEAVY FIGHTING

(Received This Day at 9.15 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 23.

Phillip Gibbs states the cavalry, infantry and Tanks are still active in the break in >he Hindenburg line. There was heavy fighting in the morn ing at Bourlon Wood and Fontaine Notre Dame.

OVERJOYED FRENCH

(Received This Day at 9.15 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 23.

The French overjoyed at their release surrounded the Tanks with the utmost astonishment. They say they ve ia< no property or liberty since 1914. >e Germans requisitioned everything. The people were fed by the American Relief Committee. The Gormans made the women wash the soldiers dirty linen.

A bombing raid. fAUSTRALIAN & N.z. CABI/R ASSOCIATION] & REUTER. J (Received. This Day at 8.50. a.m ) LONDON November 2,1. The Admiralty reports a successful raid in the vicinity of Constantinople was carried our by a British bombing aeroplane of the Handley Pace type, which flew from England to the Mediterranean Base by eight stages. It occasionally met strong winds and rainstorms in one stretch of two hundred miles entirely over mountainous country. The total flight was two thousand miles, and was actually thirty one hours in the air. HAIG’S REPORT. f AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABT/R ASSOCIATION & REUTER.] ('Received This Dav at 10.15. a.m.) H LONDON November Id. General Haig reports we slightly advanced our line southeastward of St. vanced southeastward of Ypres, and repulsed attempted raids northwestward of Pontruet, northwestward of St. Quen tin and southward of Neuve Chappelle. The position is unchanged, southwards of Cambrai.