RAPIDITY OF GERMAN RETREAT.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 October 1918, Page 5

RAPIDITY OF GERMAN RETREAT.

Confusion of Troops and Transport. Received Oct. 11, 2.50 p.m. London, Oct. 10, 4.30 p.m. A French communique reports: Pursuit was continued during the night past St. Quentin. We occupied Landricourt wood and passed Beautreaux and Fontaine-Notre-Dame. North of the Aisne we vigorously pressed the enemy. East of Ostel we 'hold the Plateau Croixsant. We crossed the Aisne canal further eastward in the neighborhood of Villers-en-Prayeres. In the Champagne a vigorous attack enabled us to capture Iday.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. Received Oct. 11, 10.30 p.m. London, Oct. 10. Reuter's correspondent at, British headquarters, writing on t'he 10th inst., says the enemy's withdrawal between St. Quentin and Cambrai yesterday was so rapid that our patrols were scarcely able to maintain touch. Last night this swift retirement seemed to be continuing on our right, but the machine-gun resistance stiffened on the left.

Airmen report that there is remarkable confusion of troops and transport moving eastward from Le Cateau. — Reuter.

STAGES OF GERMAN RETREAT. Enemy's Plans Upset. Cavalry in Action. Received Oct. 11, 7.40 p.m. London, Oct. 10. The Germans are expected to spend a fortnight retiring towards Douai, and a fortnight in reaching the defence line on the Oise. The loss of Cambrai has upset the plans of a gradual withdrawal. British cavalry were definitely in action on Wednesday beyond Bertry, while the infantry were marching in fours through Bertry. This was ons of the most remarkable sights since the Germans first overran the northern areas. To-day's reports show that the AngloAmericans are still rolling the tattered Germans before them. BATTLEFIELD AFLAME. The whole battlefield is aflame. Last nigfat towns and farmhouses, also quantities of stores, were destroyed. There i 3 evidence that the mines under Cambrai were set with time fuses, intended to kill as many as possible. An explosion last night wrecked the centre of the city. The flash and roar were seen and heard for miles. The centre, however, had already been destroyed by the recent fires, from fifteen to twenty blocks being almost in complete ruin'. The bridges over the Oscaut were blown up, but British engineers are building temporary crossings.

The Germans ordered the evacuation to take place on the Gth, 7th, and Bth, midnight of the Bth being the latest possible date.

CHURCHES AS OBSERVATION POSTS. Tlie Cathedral and Cluuxft' of St. Herbert were used as observation posts.. The cathedral tower has suffered from ehells and looks ready to fall. In some oases where the windows are not broken, the curtains behind were burning, indicating deliberate arson.—United Press.

The United Press states that a captured telegram to the General Staff of the 9th Corps, from the Kaiser's Adjutant-General, says that his Majesty is displeased to notice that when passing along the roads and at railway crossings the troops failed to pay the necessary respect, and that the inhabitants don't greet him in a proper manner by removing their headgear. The stall is ordered that this mast be seen to.

THE CAMBRAI VICTORY.

20,000 PRISONERS IN TWO DAYS.

Received Oct, 11, 7.40 p.m. Paris, Oct. 10. The Allies have prisonered 20,000 in two days, 15,000 being taken on the Cambrai-St. Quentin front.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. London, Oct. 10. Mr. Gibbs says: When we entered Cambrai we were surprised to find so many houses and public buildings standing, but scattered fires burned. Rumbling sounds of falling masonry in other parts gave warning of danger. It was known that the place might be mined and that booby traps were probable. We saw a proclamation on one door, signed by Commandant Gloss, notifying the inhabitants early in September to be prepared to move eastward. They were only allowed light baggage. Some houses contained furniture, hut among the numerous mansions tattered tapestries, torn books, and pictures showed the vandal's hand. The majority of the small houses contained merely wreckage. Some showed that home life had suddenly ceased with the evacuation, even tables being laid for meals. There is general evidence that German looters had been rummaging in the contents for spoils. Tlhe Cathedral was not badly MrjGibb's message was dispatched before the explosions began.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

MUSTARD CAS. GIVING HUNS THEIR OWN MEDICINE. Received Oct. 11, 7.40 p.m. London, Oct. 10. The Western Morning News states that the British are using most devastating mustard gas- It penetrates the enemy's clothes and masks, which are of inferior quality, owing to the shortage of rubber. This partly accounts for our rapid progress. We are giving the Germans an intensified form of the medicine they exploited.—Australian Cable Assoc.