ENEMY HEAVILY DEFEATED.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 October 1918, Page 5

ENEMY HEAVILY DEFEATED.

Rapid British Advance. Between the Somme and the Sensee. A Splendid Record of Achievements. Received Oct. 10, 9.45 p.m. London, Oct. 10, 12.25 a.m. hir Douglas Haig reports: Wo inflicted a heavy defeat upon the enemy yesterday between Cambrai and St. Quentin, pnsonenng over 10,000 and capturin" between 100 and 200 guns. No fewer than 23 German divisions were engaged on this front, and were severely handled. As the result of this action we advanced to-day on the whole front between the Somme aiul the Sensee, rapid'y progressing eastwards, capturing the enemy rearguard detachment and isolatmg batteries and machine-gnn positions A number of inhabitants left in the captured villages met ua with enthusiasm.

The whole of Cambrai is in our possession. The Canadians of the Ist Army entered Cambrai from the north, while later the English of the 3rd A'rmy passed through the southern portions of the town.

Since September 21 the British Ist, 3rd, and 4th Annies have broken through the whole elaborate series of deep defensive zones and built-up successive beds of heavily fortified trench lines, including the entire Hindenburg system, on a front of thirty-five njiles from St. Quentin to Arras, having penetrated this battle area to a depth of between 30 and 40 miles. We are now operating far beyond and eastward of the Hindenburg defences

During these operations and since tii,: date mentioned, we inflicted very heavy losses in killed and wounded. We have prisonered over 110,000 and have captured 1200 guns This feat of arms has been performed by the British troops who already withstood the first heavy onslaught of the enemy's main forces last spring Only the stubborn endurance and determined spirit of these troops permitted them to pass to the offensive with such conspicuous success. By their heroic action in defence and attack our men from all parts of the Em,pire proved themselves soldiers of the [highest order. Our advance continues. We reached this [afternoon the general line Boham, Byisigny, Caurior.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Reuter.

VALUABLE AERO WORK. INFANTRY AND TRANSPORT SCATTERED. Received Oct. 10, 9.55 p.m. London, Oct. 9. Sir Douglas Haig, in his aviation report, states that the air squadrons were active on the whole front, keeping in close touch with the advancing troops. The smoke curtain that was dropped round the enemy's strong points proved of great value.

Aeroplanes wjth bopibs and machinegun fire scattered infantry and transport. They dropped 21 tons of bombs, and destroyed ten aeroplanes and drove down two uncontrollable. Seven British machines are 1 missing. Our night-fliers dropped 23J tons of [bombs on railways and communications. They hit and derailed two trams and started several large fires at railway sidjings. All returned.

PREMIER'S MESSAGE TO HAIG. i A GLOWING TRIBUTE TO THE ARMY. THE GREATEST CHAPTER OF BRITISH MILITARY HISTORY. Received Oct. 10, 9.55 p.m. London, Oct. 9. The Press Bureau states that the Premier (Mr Lloyd George) lias sent the following mesasge to Sir Douglas Haig: "I have just heard from Marshal Foch of the brilliant victory won by the Ist, 3rd, anjd 4th Armies, and wish to express to yourself and Generals Byng, Rawlrason, and Horn, and all the officers and men under your command, my most sincere congratulations on the great and significant success which the' British Army, with their American brothers in arms, have gained during the past few days. "The courage and tenacity wherewith tlie Empire's troops, after withstanding terrific onslaughts last spring, have again resumed the offensive with such decisive results, is the greatest chapter of our military history. "Smashing the enemy's great defensive system in the west, which he claimed to be impregnable, is a feat of wlucli we are all justly proud, and for which the Empire will be for ever grateful."—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

GERMANS ADMIT REVERSES. Received Oct. 10, 9.50 p.m. London, Oct. 10. A wireless German official message states that between St. Quentin and Oaiabrai we occupied positions in the rear, thereby giving up Cambrai. —Aus. NX Cable Assoc. and Reuter. Received Oct. 10, 9.55 p.m. London, Oct. 8. A wireless German official message states: We broke up the enemy's assault west of the Cambrai-Bohain road. On both sides of the Roemcr road, in the direction of Le Cateau, the enemy made a deeper breach in our lines. We stopped his thrust in the line WaliacourtElincourt. West of Bohain the southern wing attack of the enemy gained a little ground. Our troops, being threatened in the flank by the breach in the centre of the battle-front, wero forced to withdraw their wing to the western border of Fresnoy le Grand. In the Champagne the Franco-Ameil-canu, though in great force, only succeeded in breaking our lines. On both sides of St. Etienne pur counter-attack drove them out. Between Bra/bant and Ornes the enemy forced his way into (toe Coneenvoye woods, where we brought him to n standstill. —Aug. N.Z. Cable Assos. an4K«t(t«r