PHILIP GIBBS' ACCOUNT.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 November 1917, Page 2

PHILIP GIBBS' ACCOUNT.

AROUND BOURLON WOOD

CAVALRY’S WORK. rAUSTRALIAN it N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION] (Received. This Dav at 8.50. a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 27. Mr Phillip Gibbs says there i s not the slightest doubt that tho Germans will powerfully attempt to regain Bourlos Wood, and prevent us from making his railways untenable, affecting one of his matin lines of supply. Our cavalry, after the break through on the first morning of the battle, had a hard time, without much luck. Several unfortunate incidents spoiled their hopes of a big drive, notably two. The first was the strong German defence at Flesquieres, and the second that a Tank’ unluckily broke a bridge over Masnieres Canal.

A squadron of Canadian cavalry repaired the bridge and rode forward. They had remarkable adventures, because. a message ordering their retire--1 ment did not reach them. The Commander’s horse was lamed, hut a young lieutenant carried on the squadron till it reached a “cammufluged” road, south-eastward of Rumilly, and came up against a battery of field guns, firing point-blank. They charged the batteries, putting the guns out of action, and killing or prisonering the gunners.

Darkness saved the squadron. The lieutenant, speaking in German when challenged, deceived the enemy, enabling him to press forward and take the Germans hv surprise, and hack their way through the enemy. A small body of Dragoon Guards took Noyelles, and skirted round under rifle and machine-gun fire. They then galloped straight through the main street at three in the afternoon. Advancing further, they captured seven German officers walking in La Folie Wood. They penetrated to the depths of the wood, and an officer* rode up to a cottage where were the German Divisional Headquarters, and poured revolver shots through the window and rode off.

THE CAVALRY’S WORK

SOME TTGHT CORNERS.

(Received This Day at 9.15 a.m.) LONDON November 26. Mr. Phillip Gibbs continues—Another squadron took Cantning at a gallop, one partly going in direct and two' others riding round the flanks. They continued towards Fontaine Notre Dame, which was then strongly defended.

Other squidron s riding in the open country were constantly meeting innchine gun fire and prisonering small bodies before they were converted into a dismounted force, including Husj sars for attack on Bourlon Wood, j A Canadian squadron was caught in a tight corner i n the darkness, and practically surrounded in a sunken road Onlv five horses remained unhurt. The rest cut their way out. They therefore stampeded the riderless horses in the direction of the enemy in order to draw their machine gun fire and the trooper s hurriedly escaped. They encountered and routed four parties of Germans before they reached safety.