BOURLON WOOD BATTLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 November 1917, Page 2

BOURLON WOOD BATTLE.

WHAT THE SUCCESS MEANS. [AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION] Received, this day at 8.45 a.m.) LONDON November 26. Mr. Phillip Gibbs says in the great battle for two days, for the possession of Bourlon Wood, which commands the country north-east and north of the villages of Inchv and Moeuvres English battalions and Highlanderswere fighting with dauntless determination to,make good the triumph of the first day, when they broke the Hindenbnrg line. Some were fighting for nearly a week without rest or sleep except an odd half hour, on short rations . Tuesday’s smashing blow was followed by a dingdong struggle over twelve miles of open country, from Proville to MasnSeres . The capture of Rourlon Wood was necessary to enable further progress. It covers six hundred acres of high ground westward ‘oil Cambrai. The difficulty of its capture was our loss of Fontaine Notre Dame upon the east, and the strong German defence by fresh troops at Moeuvres and Inchy. The daily barrage proved the arrival of every available German battery. Our gunners speak admiringly of the rapidity that the German gunners got into action. Therefore the enemy were n o longer weak when wo attacked Bourlon Wood on Friday morning. The battle opened with all arms working together in splendid union. ' The guns, which had been galloped forward into new positions in the captured territory astonishingly close to the Germon lines, - opened a terrific drumfire Many of our regiments had fought on tha other battlefields, but cam,, j fresh and full of enthusiasm into the new battle because of the new promiso of victory . The Tanks aga'in led the ja-fltjack wftjh single scouts ahead', and the others following in echelon. Some tank crews had the hardest nine days of their lives. Even during the advance many Tankmen were asleep, despite the noise of the engines and the burst- j ing of shells. >

GENERAL HAIG’S REPORT... FAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION & R»CTEB.] (R«ceived This Day at 11.25. a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 26. Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig reports:—The enemy have not repeated their ’ attacks on the Bourlon position since yesterday’s failure. The situation i s unchanged.