WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 27 November 1917, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S CONGRATULATIONS. GENERAL BYNG AND STAFF PRAISED. LONDON, November 26. Sir Douglas Haig, in an order of the day, warmly congratulates General Byng, and his commanders and staffs on the manner in which they prepared and carried through the operations. He also expresses his obligation to the staff's services at general headquarters, and the , success with which they met'the severe strain imposed by the arrangements of these operations in addition to the sudden movement of troops towards Italy. The operation of the Third Army front would in all probability have miscarried if the enemy had gained timely warning of our intentions. The most satisfactory feature to note in connection with these operations was the complete secrecy which was maintained.

SEVERE FIGHTING AT BOURLON. PRISONERS NOW TOTAL 9774. LONDON, November 26. Sir Douglas Haig reports: There was severe fighting to day westward of Cambrai. The enemy at mid-day strongly attacked in the neighbourhood of Bourlon and pressed us back from the portions of the village, Our positions In Bourlon Wood and on the high ground are intact. Fighting in the Hindenburg support line, westward of Moeuvrcs, yielded us prisoners. The total prisoners since Thursday is now including 182 officers. CAPTURE OF THE BOURLON. POSITION. WAY OPENED FOR FURTHER SUCCESS.

LONDON, November 26

Sir Douglas Haig, in orders of the day, says: The capture of the important Bourlon position crowns most successful operations. It opens the way for further exploitation of the advantages already gained. The manner in which the Third Army adapted themselves to the new conditions was* in all respects admirable, and the results gained have far-reaching importance. The tanks for the first time have been afforded an opportunity of working iu large numbers, showing their special value under suitable conditions. Without them the complete success gained would not have been possible. Their performances entirely justified the trust placed in them. Sir Douglas Haig pays a tribute to the splendid services of all arms in the field, especially the co-operation of the cavalry.

BATTLE OF BOURLON WOOD. " A THRILLING DESCRIPTION. MEN FIGHT FOR SIX "DAYS. Received 8.40. LONDON, Nov 26. Mr Philip Gibbs says a great battle raged for two days for the possession of Bourlon Wood which commands the country north-east and north of the village s of Inchy and Moeuvres. English battalions of Highlanders were fighting with dauntless determination to make good their triumph of the first day, when they broke through the Hindenburg line, some fighting for nearly a week -suthout rest or sleep, except for odd halfhours, and being on short rations. On Tuesday a smashing blow was followed by a ding-dong struggle, over twelve miles of open country from Proville to Masnieres The capture of Bourlon Wood was necessary to enable further progress. It covers six hundred acres ©f high ground westward of Cambrai. The difficulty of its capture was the cause of our loss of Fontaine Notre Dame contributed to by strong German defence and by fresh troops at Moeuvres.

At Inchy deadly Barrages proved the arrival of every available German battery. Our gunners speak admiringly of the rapidity with which German gunners got into action. Therefore the enemy was no longer weak when we attack Bourlon Wood On Friday morning the battle opened, all arms working together in splendid union. Guns which had been galloped forward into new positions in the captured territory astonishingly close to the German lines, opened a terrific drumfire. Many of our regiments had fought on other battlefields, but they came fresh and full of enthusiasm into the new battle because of a new promise of victory. Tanks again led the attack, single scouts going ahead, others following. In Echelon some tank crews had the hardest nine days of their lives. Even during the advance many tankmen fell asleep-

spite the noise of their engines and of bursting shells #