GENERAL HAIG’S REPORTS

Hokitika Guardian, 1 October 1918, Page 3

GENERAL HAIG’S REPORTS

cambrai operations

* N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION & 11EUTEH.J

deceived This Dav at 10. In. a m.i LONDON, September 30.

At 3. 30. a.m. General Haig reported at dawn the battle successfully developed southward to St. Quentin, and now extends on a thirty mile front- between St Quentin, aim £jnnsee river. On the right ■u-o attacked across Scheldt canal, from Bellinglise northward. The 46th., Division were provided with lifebelts, mats < portable bridges and materials for rafts and covered by concentrated artillery machine-gun fire, stormed the main Himleidmrg defences along the eastern bank of the canal, despite the breadth and depth of the canal and the strength of the enemy defences ,which include Bello Englise, numerous tunnels and concrete works. Wo captured the whole German position opposing us. The troops pressed forward with great bravery and determination up the slopes of the hill beyond the canal, prisonering many. We captured Belle Englise, Lo Harcourt, Mngny La Fassc. Further north, at the same hour the New York, Tennessee, north and south Carolina troops under Major-Gen-eral Read, attacked the Hindenburg line 8 o n a front- of five thousand yards, where tile canal passes through a tunnel. The Americans pressed forward nnd dashingly captured Rellieourt and Xanroy. On the left bank, fighting proceeds | in the neighbourhood of Bony. In the centre, the British captured Tillers Guislain. New Zcalander s cleared Welsh ridgo breaking up hostile counter at--* tacks and captured La Vacquerie and the spur between Bonuvis and Mansnieres

Meanwhile tlie 62nd division secured the canal crossings and continued their advance and captured Masnieres. Lo Hraesherges and the defensive system covering sßumilly. On their left the Second Division crossed the canal about Noyerles and advanced 1J miles up Die rising ground eastward of the canal line. The 68rd naval division forced the passage eastward of Cantaing and reached the southern outskirts of CamOn the left the Canadians fought forward through the defensive system covering Cambrai into the outskirts of the town. Further north they captured Sauscourt, beating off heavy counter attacks, while English troops cleared the slope southward of the canal Sensec.*We have captured 22,060 prisoners and three hundred guns during the three days. ______