LE CATEAU CAPTURED AFTER 10-MILE ADVANCE

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 244, 12 October 1918, Page 5

LE CATEAU CAPTURED AFTER 10-MILE ADVANCE

ROLLING TATTERED GERMAN REMNANTS BEFORE THEM. TWENTY THOUSAND PRISONERS TAKEN IN TWO DAYS. LONDON, October It. The British advance between Cambrai and St. Quentin has reached an average depth of ten miles. They have captured Le Catcau. The line runs along the Selle River, from St. Souplet to Solcerace. The French, east of St. Qucntin, have advanced four miles. Further south they have captured Servais, east of the Oise.— (Rcuter.) Router's correspondent at British headquarters, writing on Thursday, says: The enemy's withdrawal between St. Qucntin and C'ambrai yesterday was «o rapid that our patrols vrere scarcely able to maintain touch last night. This swift retirement seemed to be continuing on our right, bnt lnaohinc-gun resistance stiffened on the left. Airmen report remarkable confusion among the troops and transport moving east from Lβ Cateau.— (Reuter.) >lr. H. Prrry Robinson -writes: —Our success i." complete, and we are garnering the fmite. The enemy is rapidly retreating on the Le Cateau line, and we arc pressing on liis heels. We reached the village of Bertry at noon to-day, nine miles from yesterday's starting point. Between here and Cambrai the enemY vainly attempted to stand on the railway. Klsewhere he is blowing up the railway and burning depots and stores. South of Rertry we cut the line, destroying his hopes of a temporary stand, which ie now impossible this side of Le Cateau. The enemy planned to retreat under our pressure, but we struck too rapidly, rapturing thousand? of prisoners, nicny gun.«, and much material before his preparations were complete, and preventing the completion of hie destructive programme. Many villages are falling into our hands intact, releasing thousands of French citizens. The Canadians and British entered C'ambrai from the north and south at four o'clock in the morning. Numbers of German soldiers in hiding did not attempt to fight. Yesterday's explosions reduced the town 10 ruins. Vires due to the explosions are still burning, and our troops are extinguishing them. Further mine explosions are possible. The enemy blew up the canal bridges, but we crossed easily. MAny civilians who remained in hiding in the cellars were beside themselves with delight, kissing and embracing anybody in khaki and telling their experiences to any listener. A priest at Scram says that last January the Germane deported 1000 people, including 400 women, magistrates, and persons of substance and good family.

The prisoners taken include a large number of stunted, wizened creatures. All arc aware of the proposed armistice, but are indifferent to its outcome and thankful to be out of it. The appearance of the prisoners suggests that some divisions are practically reduced to the point of inefficiency. Regiments and battalions arc universally reduced. Captured officers hint that thie is the beginning of a great German retreat. The guns and airmen did splendidly. It was a magnificent spectacle to poo our guns shelling the whole line and fleets of aeroplanes hovering incessantly overhead. The enemy artillery hardly gave any evidence of its exietence.

Military experts agree that l>udendoHT must immediately face a deep retirement and a severe contraction of the front.

The "Matin" states that with the Turks and Austrian*; refusing to continue the fight, coupled with striking symptoms of the demoralisation of the German troops seen during the lost few daye, it is evident that the German resistance must coon collapse. Mr. Wilson's Xotr was so worded as to create a maximum of disorder and discord in the ranks of the enemy.— ("Times.'')

The Allies have taken 20,000 prisoners in two days, 15,000 being secured on the Cambrai-St. Quentin front.

The United Press Association states that the Germans expected to spend a fortnight retiring towards Douai, and a fortnight reaching the Guise defence line on the Oisc. The loss of Cambrai upset the plan of gradual withdrawal. British cavalry was definitely in action on Wednesday beyond Bertry, on the railway four miles west of Le Catcau, while the infantry was marching in fours through Bertry. This was one of the most remarkable sights since the Germans first over-ran northern^areae.

To-day's reports show that the British and Americans are still rolling the tattered Germane before them. The whole battlefield was aflame last night. Towns, farmhouses, and also quantities of stores were destroyed. There is evidence tiiat the mines under Cambrai were set with ■ time and were intended to kill as many as possible. An explosion last night wrecked the centre of the city. The flash snd roar were seen and heaTd miles distant. The centre, however, was already thoroughly destroyed by the recent fires. Fifteen or twenty blocks are almost complete ruins. The bridges over the Scheldt were blown up. British engineers are building: tc-mporary crossing.--. The Germans ordered the evacuation on October 6, 7, nnd 8, midnight on October 8 being the latest possible date. The cathedral and the Church of Paint Herbert had been used as observation posts. The cathedral tower has suffered from shells, and looks ready to fall. Twenty fires were counted. In some cases where the windows were not broken the curtains behind them were burning, indicating deliberate arson. —(A. and N.Z. Cable.)