GENERAL HAIG’S REPORTS

Hokitika Guardian, 23 October 1918, Page 2

GENERAL HAIG’S REPORTS

f i [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT.;

TRIBUTE FROM HAIG

FOR WORK AT THE SOMME. LONDON, October 21. In his despatch reviewing the past year’s operations, Sir. Douglas Haig pays a high tribute to the Australian soldiers. In dealing with their successful counter attack at VillersBrettonneoux on the 23rd. April, in which the Thirteenth and Fifteenth Brigades of the Fourth and Fifth Australian Divisions participated, lie says, “It met with remarkable success, night operation of this character, undertaken at such short notice ,was an enterprise of great daring. The instant decision to seize the opportunity offered and the rapid and thorough work-ing-out. of the general plan and details •of attack, on the part- of the Third Corps Commanders and ten Divisional and subordinates, are worthy of the highest commendation. At the same time, it should be added that the musual nature of the operations demanded the highest qualities on the part of the troops employed, and the attack was carried out in the most spirited manner by all ranks. The Thirteenth'Brigade particularly showed their great skill and resolution in making their wav through belts, of wire, running diagonally to the line of their advance, across very difficult country which they had no opportunity of reconnoitring before hand. AYe prisonered nearly a thousand in this well-conceived and brilliantly executed operation.

CO CXTER-ATTACKS FAIL. LONDON, Oct .21. Sir Douglas Haig reports: There was sharp fighting at night time at Amerval, which repulsed the enemy’s determined attempts to regain the village. The enemy this morning also unsuccessfully attempted to drive in our-ad-vanced posts in the neighbourhood of the Cambrai-Douni road. We prisonered a few. We continued our progress eastward and northward of Denain, despite considerable opposition. We have reached a general line as follows :—La Sehtinelle. St Amand, Rongy,, Taintignies; we hold the west bank of the Scheldt at intervals for several miles northward of Pont-a-Chin and north-west of Tournai.

ADVANCE ABOVE LE CATEAU. LONDON, October 21. Sir Douglas Haig reports; North of Le Cateau we continue advancing On Sunday 1000 prisoners and yesterday 3000 were taken. All day Sunday heavy fighting followed an attack by English. Scottish and Welsh divisions on positions of great strength on the Solle river, which were held determinedly. Despite heavy rain, and aided by tanks we took the river. Northwards of Denain, we ave continued our forward push, contacting with the enemy. Wo are approaching the St Amand line on the Scheldt, northwards of Tournai.