REUTER'S REPORT.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 October 1918, Page 2

REUTER'S REPORT.

[PER TRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT.] BACK TO MESSIXES RIDGE. LONDON, September 29. , Reuter’s correspondent states that north of the Cambrai battle, the Belgians entered Stadcn and recaptured Houthulst village, and they now hold the entire west of the Zonne-beke-Pas-sehendaelc Ridge system. The line of the Second Army this morning ran from near Zonnebeko to Kelseeware, Zanvordo, possibly through Houthem, t 0 Wytscliaote, and Messincs Ridge. The Belgians have hitherto taken prisoner over fivo-tliousand Germans and the British over four-thou-sand. THE ADVANCE. ’ LONDON, September 29. Reuter’s correspondent at. French Headquarters states: Tlie French are gteadily advancing. They are moveover capturing now ground. Numerous fires are to be seen behind the German lines. The Anglo-Belgian attack in trie north, coupled with the Franco-Ameri-can south offensive on Champagne A« gonne Meuse fronts, has compelled the enemy to assume the defensive on a much vaster scale. lie has to defend a vast pocket, such a one as those which have brought him disater at the Marne and the Avre. In a later message the correspondent says: ‘The whole enemy front from St. Quentin to Rheims has become one big salient. The bases of this salient are. being vigorously attacked r on both sides. On both his wing s the enemy is fighting with the energy of despair as lie retreats. As the result of General Mhngin’s advancing as ho did yesterday the whole of the Malmaison Plateau and the western end of the Chemin des Dames are in our possession.

The enemy are abandoning the approaches to the massif of St. Gobnin and to the Laon Plateau. This group of heights has for four year s formed the central pillar of the German line in France.

Marshal Focli’s strategy is compelling the enemy, just as it did at the Marne, to withdraw his centre before Allied attacks, north and east forced him to withdraw his wings. Thi s retreat is the first fruits of the British-Franeo-American offensive of the last three davs.”

INTF.RESTING DESCRIPTION. LONDON, September 29.

Reuter’s correspondent at British Headquarters, writing on Saturday morning says: “Yesterday’s battle on the Cambrai front saw the whole or our objectives wou to an extreme depth of five miles. The advance was through the most formidable intricate network of defences that the war ha s yet pro duced. So remarkable was oiir progress that we brought up not. only iieid batteries, but heavy sixty-pounders to the edge of Bourlon Wood, raked before the Germans had completed their withdrawal. Our. covering tactics were so admirable that large bodies of the enemy were taken in the rear. The tanks proved most useful in clearing out ma-chine-gun nests and quelling street fighting in Bourlon village. Cambrai now lies at our feet. It is dominated bv our field guns. Prisoners report the greatest confusion in the enemy reserves, who get hopelessly scattered and mixed with other units. There is a- continuous stream of enemy transports eastward and fires behind the German lines. Our troops rested at night time in the capacious shelters of the Hindenburg system.

VIVID ACCOUNTS

LE CATELET CAPTURED. LONDON, September 29.

Reuter’s correspondent at British: Headquarters writing on Sunday evening says: This morning’s attack by the Fourth army did not surprise tho enemy, it being proceded by a fortyeight hour bombardment. A large force of Americans advanced first in waves A big concourse of tanks moved forward mainly on a six thousand yard front, south of Venduhille. The weather was fine, with a light mist. The Americans, using Vendhuillo Gap as a bridge stormed forward deploying fanwise. A British division crossed ' the water-way in magnificent style, many men swimming it under machine-gun fire. They then entered the village of Belle Englise. The first phase of the battle ended at nine o'clock.

After a pause, a dramatic incident marked the resumption of the attack. The Americans opened their ranks, while the Australians who had been moving up to their support swept through them and Formed the first wave. They renewed the attack amid the storm of cheering.

Hard fighting occurred at many places where the Germans had established redoubts of great strength. The strongest positions south-west of Cambrai were attacked dashingly by the New Zealanders, who drove a wedge into the enemy line, and took prisoners a thousand.

The Canadians, early in the morning were approaching Ramilles, and were due north of the town and astride important communications. As the morning advanced it became clear that the battle was developing into a fine victory. Le Gate let, the key to the position in • tho whole sector from Belliooui't to Bandteux, was captured! by twelve o'clock. TTe were then astride the St Quentin-Cambnu railway in many places, thus seriously menacing tho enemy’s communications Important fortified villages were carried.