PHILIP GIBBS’ ACCOUNT.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 October 1918, Page 3

PHILIP GIBBS’ ACCOUNT.

FIGHT FOR CAMERA!

(PER press ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT, j (Received This Dav at noon.) LONDON, Oct. 3. Mr Phillip Gibbs says all Canadians say the number of dead strewn on this ground is horrible to see, but they themselves paid a severe price for the ground held. The strength of the German resistance lids been so stiffened since the divisions from Vlanders and elsewhere arrived, that it becomes clear we will not capture the city without further severe fighting. It- is possible / the enemy will cling to it for some days at least, despite the loop we have flung round it. It is even likely they may counter-attack on a heavy scale in order to throw us out of its approaches. More southward, there is a new attack " by Australians and English, who pushed forward a little beyond Lo vergies and Rancourt, where the Germans are rushing up reinforcements.

(Received This Day at 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, October 3. Mr Gibbs writes—The battle of Cambraj continues with intense and desperate fighting. The Canadians says they never had harder fighting in the war period than yesterday's. The intensity of the struggle eclipsing Yprcs Hatties. There was little artillerying southward of Cambrai this morning. It was close fighting in the suburbs, where the infantry worked without gun support. Every house in one long street leading into the city i s a machine gun fort. Following the Canadians successful •early morning attack on Tuesday a ceaseless severe struggle continued all day long. Germans counter attacked again and again with almost fanatical courage. They advanced - in close formations down Braltingny-Raillencourt Valley. Canadian observers signalled the gunners who had human targets at ishiodti range. They fired for hours, hut others filled the gaps and struggled on in an effort to break the Canadian lines. There was a great massacre of men in .these valleys. Our guns were served until they were over shot- with fire. Still, under cover of the sunken roads, embankments and cuttings the German infantry came on regardless of losses and forced a passage of some mined villages, necessitating some Canadian Battalions having to fall back. One party was in an isolated perilous situation for hours, hut held its ground, and ultimately obtained touch with their line.