TANKS SILENCE MACHINEGUNS.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 November 1917, Page 5

TANKS SILENCE MACHINEGUNS.

SOME MISHAPS OCCUR GERMANS FIGHT BRAVELY. MANY GALLANT ACTIONS. CAVALRY BRING IN GUNS. Received Nov. 23, 7.30 p.m. London, Nov. 22. Mr. Philip Ciibbs writes that tha Germans kept their nerve and served the machine-guns till the tanks silenced them. Others sniped our men at close quarters, but mostly the enemv broke down as soon as the tanks appeared. A few tanks had. liarl luck 'by ihell-fire or by being bogged. One or two lay overturned, head downwards, where they nad attempted to negotiate steep banks, but the tanks' casualties were light. A largo number fought all day 011 Flesquieres ridge, around Havrincourt chateau, where the enemy held out for some time. The Germans fought bravely at Havrincourt chateau, La tour wood" and Flesquieres village. This defence of the village upon the ridge against the. Highlanders was a serious impediment to our general advance. A special attackwas organised early on Tuesday, in a novel manner, by tanks and cavalry skirmishes, the infantry following in open order. The village scents to have been stormed and the ridge cleared. Later in the forenoon (here was fierce fighting about Flesquiere.s, and many gallant actions were recorded. The Durhams charged, seven German guns which 'had been firing at point blank range 011 our advancing tanks. The .'Durhams captured Ihe guns, killing the gunners. The West Yorks did a similar exploit at Enrimy chapel, where they charged and captured three 77's. Before 5 in the evening Marcoing and Masnieres were secured and the troops advanced steadily, gathering in the prisoners occupying it. It is alleged that they found numbers 'of French civilians, who rejoiced to meet their liberators. After heavy fighting the troops cleared T/.itr-au wood and mopped up the snipers at Ribe court. It is reported that our cavalry reached Noyelles. The enemy counter.attneked on the left at 8.30 in the evening. Then came a cavalrv charge against the guns at Noyelles, which they brought In. Fighting ceased for the most part of the night, but the infantry, cavalry and tallies advanced again at dawn on Wednesday. There w fl s the fiercest fighting upon the left of our advance. MEW AREA CONSOLIDATED. AN ENEMY "SUCCESS. "TRANSPORT SERVICE PRAISED. Ails, and N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Renter. Received Nov, 23, 11.45 p.m. London, Nov. 23. Sir Douglas Haig reports: The day was spent 011 the southern battle front in consolidating the large area over which we had advanced during the last two days. This was successfully carried out, except at Fontaine and Notre Dames, which the enemy had re-taken by counter-attacks. Much credit is due to the transportation services for the rapid concentration in the recent operations. Roads and railways (both broad gauge and light) had been developed, and since the advance they had been extended in a manner which contributed largely to the success of (he preparations and of the subsequent operations. * '-The artillery activity on the northern battle front s intense in the neighbor hood of Passchendaelc, 'hut there has been 110 infantry action by either side. ARTILLERYING ON FRENCH FRONT. Aus. aiul N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Router. Received Nov. 23, 'O.-lft p.m. London. Nov. 23. French official: There has been an artillery duel of marked intensity in the region north of Chemin des Dames, between th-> Aisne and La Miette and in the Cbamy.agne 011 the right, bank of the .Meuse. A violent artillery action is in iirogrcs in the sector north of Cham-