TANKS CUT THROUGH WIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 November 1917, Page 5

TANKS CUT THROUGH WIRE.

STEREOTYPE METHODS IGNORED. 5000 PRISONERS TAKEN. London. Nov. 21. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—Between St. Quentin and the Searpe the tanks broke through successive belts of wire of great depth'and strength. The infantry followed, and stormed the first defensive system of the Hindenhurg line. The tanks and infantry pressed on, and captured the Ilindenburg support line, more than a mile beyond.

Several thousand prisoners were taken and a number of guns captured. A further report states: Yesterday morning the Third Army, under Sir Julian Byng, delivered a number of general attacks between St. Quentin aiul the Scarpe river. The attacks were carried out without previous artillery fire, completely surprising the enemy. Our troops broke in the enemy's position to a depth of four and five miles, on a wide front.

We. captured several thousand prison, era and a number of guns, Operations continue at tho present hour. During the assault on the principal, front a large number of tanks moved forward in advance of the infantry and broke through successive, belts of <Vrmfm'wire of great depth and strength. The United Press states that the battle ignored all stereotyped methods. The tanks and infantry broke, and crossed tho Ilindenburg line without a. single preparatory gunshot. The British nro near Cambrai,. ami have taken 5000 prisoners, THE ADVANCE CONTINUED.

ENEMY REINFORCEMENTS HURRIED UP. FURTHER POSITIONS CAPTURED. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Reuter Received Nov. 22, 10.30 p.m. London. Nov. 22. Sir Douglas Haij; reports: Important progress was made to-day westward and sonth-westwavd of Cambrai. Despite the continuous rain, reinforcements for the enemy were hurried up, and opposed our advance, but were driven out of a further series of villages and other fortified positions. Many additional prisonei", were taken. The tanks were again of fjmit assistance. We made progress on the right, in the direction of Crevecoour and Les Court, and captured north-east of Masnieres a double line of trenches. On the east bank of the canal at do lea Caut there was sharp fighting, and couuter-al lacks were driven oil'. The village of N'ovelle de les Caut, northward of was captured early in the morning. Here, also, there was heavy liylitin#. and counter-attacks were successfully repulsed. The Scottish troops, in the morniua:, moving north-east of Cantnine. took thr> latter village and continued the' advann..

Later they themselves nowards of 5 miles behind the former German front line. West Riding troop* and. Italians (sic), northward of Amirux, the en- | ciny southward* and south-westward of Bom-long Wood. The Ulsters, further west, crossed the jiapau»t<—Cnmbr.ii road, and entered Moenvres. Strong counter-attacks against our new positions in the neighborhood of Bulk-court were defeated. The total guns captured have not yet been ascertained. AIROIUFT ASSIST UNDER DIFFICULTIES. Our aeroplanes attempted to v..rk nil day on Tuesday, in conjunction w ; ih operations between St. Quentiu aivi the Scarpe, but low clouds, mi'st ami a strong routh-wcsterly wind prevailed, with drizzling rain. The airmen made raids, pilots flying feel froi',l the ground. Even then, at timt-s. were quickly lost in the mist, and continual attempts to maintain contact with the advancing troops were rendered almost impossible. -v Only five hostile machines were seen. Eleven of ours were lost, owing •■: tit" mist, and the exceptionally low height at which they were compelled to ily. CAVALRY IN ACTION!. WIDENING SALIENT AND TAKING VILLAGES. Received Nov. 22, 11.10 p.m. London, Nov. 22. Thousands of cavalry wero bidden elose to the front line until the 'anks broke the Hmdcnlnirg line. The cavalry have been lighting on the Cambrai plain since midday on Tuesday, widening the calient and capturing villages. DETAILS OF OFFENSIVE. RAPIDITY OF PROGRESS. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Router, Received Nov. 22, 8 p.m. London. .Nov. 21. Following through the gaps made by the tanks, the English, Scottish and Irish regiments swept over the outposts, and stormed the first defensive system ,of the Hindtnlmrg line along (he whole front. The infantry and tanks pressed on, in accordance with the programme, and captured the second system of defence over a mile beyond the known [lindenlmrg support, line. The East Counties troops took the Conaira Plateau wood after still' fighting. The English rifle regiments and light infantry captured Vacqueirie, also the formidable defences on a spur known as the Welsh ridge. Other English county troops stormed the viilaee of Ribecourt, and fought their way through CouHct Wood. The Highland Territorial? crossed the Grand ravine, and entered Fresqueres, where fierce fighting took plac*. The West Riding Territorials captured Havrincourt, also a trench system northwards of the village. "Ulster battalions, covering the latter's left flank, moved northward up the west bank of tho Canal du Nord.

After tlio morning, wo continued to advance and rapidly progressed at all points. The English, Scottish. Irish and Welsh secured crossing!-, over the canal at Masnicres. and captured Marcoing, Nnuf Wood, and the Welsh Ridge. Troops from Havrinconrf made a remarkable progress eastward of the Canal du Nord. They stormed the village? ot Grandeoourt and Ux, co-operating with the Ulsters westward of the canal. Wo carried the whole German line northward to the Bapaiune- Cambrat road. The Westmorelaiulshire Territorials broke into positions eastward of Epeliy. The Irish troops captured important sections of the Hindenburg line between Bullecourt, Fontaine and Les Croiselles.

'Die number of prisoners, guns and material taken cannot, yet be estimated. Fine but dull weather favored the preparations, but the weather broke early yesterday, and rain fell at night, and it is now stormy. GERMANS BOLT IN PANiC. AT WEIRD LEVIATHAN FLEETS. DESPERATE FIGHTING FOLLOWS. STRONGEST ENEMY POINTS ■ STORMED. Received Nov. 22, n.5 p.m. London, Nov. '2'2. The United Press correspondent says that as the weird fleet of leviathans loomed through the misty dawn the Germans in several places bolted panicstricken, but after their recovery from tli? iirst surprise the lighting was desperate. The British stormed Neuf wood, a mile northward of Marcoing, full of old quarries and underground defences and considered one of the strongest points defending the 'Hindenburg line. We substantially advanced beyond this. The booty includes a score of guns.

THE FRENCH CO-OPERATE. SUCCESSFUL RAIDS. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Reuter. Received Nov. 22, 8.30 p.m. London, Nov. 22. A French communique states: We made several successful raids north and smith of S't. Quentin. A violent artillery st riiiiffle is in progress in the region of Cliaume wood. THE ENEMY STATEMENT. FffillTlNG CONTINUES. I'T.KXCH COMMENCE AN OFFENSIVE. Aus. and X.Z. Cable Assoc. and Reuter. Received Nov. 22, }i.2o p.m. London, Nov. 22. Wireless German official: The English, since noon, have reattaeked with strong j forces south-westward of Cambrai. The j fighting continues. Strong French ad- | Vance' commenced this afternoon on the C'raonno to Berry-au-Bac front.