BRITISH LINE FURTHER ADVANCED

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 56, 29 November 1917, Page 5

BRITISH LINE FURTHER ADVANCED

SEVERE FIGHTING ON CAMBRAI FRONT OVER FIVE HUNDRED PRISONERS TAKEN By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright London, November 27. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "We have repulsed another counter-attack at the north-east corner of Bourlon Wood. The weather is wet and stormy."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. (Rec. November 29, 0.5 a.m.) London, November 28. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "Local attacks at dawn in the neighbourhood of Fontaine Notre Dame nud Bourlon villages led to severe fighting. The enemy, strongly reinforced, contested our advance with great stubborness. The tight swayed backwards and forwards, but we advanced our lino and took over 500 prisoners. Wβ drove off in the afternoon an attempted attack on our positions on the Hindenburg line on a spur westward of Moeuvres. There is great activity by the enemy's artillery eastward and north-eaet cf Ypres. Our low-flyiug machines on Monday constantly attacked the enemy's troops, batteries, and transport. Over three tons of bombs were dropped on the crossings of the Sensee River, the railhead near Cambrai, and northward of the Douai and Somain stations. Wβ brought down six of tho enemy's machines."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Router.

HAMMERING A WAY INTO FONTAINE (Rec. November 23, 8.40 p.m.) London, November 27. Reports from British Headquarters state that there have been furious attacks and counter-attacks on the new batlefront. "Wβ hammered our way early this morning into the northern portion of the village of Fontaine between Bourlon and Cambrai. Attacking from the direction of Bourlon Wood, we drove the Prussians by bayonets and bombs into the southern half of tho village. During tbo attack by a daring English raid in the village of Bourlon we succeeded in rescuing a party of officers and men who had been isolated there. During the night a Prussian attack from tho village against the wood was completely cut up by our machine-gun fire."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Aesn. , • WITH THE "WHITE ARM" IN BATTLE CAVALRY ACTIONS AFTER THE BREAK THROUGH. London, November 27. Mr. Philip Gibbs writes: There is not the. slightest doubt that the Germans will make a powerful attempt to regain Bourlon Wood, to prevent us making his railways untenable and affecting one of his main lines of supply. Our cavalry, after its break through on the iirst morning of the battle, had a hard time, without much luck. Several unfortunato incidents spoiled their hopes of a big drivo. There were two notable instances—the first, the strong German defenco at Flesquierea; the second, when a tank unluckily broke a bridge over the canal at Masnieres. A squadron of Canadian cavalry repaired the bridge and rode forward. The men had remarkable adventures, because a message ordering their retirement did not reach them. The squadron commander's horse was lamed, and a young lieutenant carried on the squadron and reached p. concealed road, south-east of Rumilly, where the squadron came Tip against a battery of field guns firing at point-blank • range They charged the battery, putting the guus out of action and killing or making prisoner tho gunners. Darkness saved the squadron. The lieutenant speakiug German when challenged, deceived tho enemy, enabling tho squadron to press forward and take the Germans by surprise, and hack its way through the enemy. ' ° Dragoons at Noyelles. A small body of Dragoon Guards took Noyelles. They skirted round under rifle and machine-gun fire, then galloped straight through the main street at three o'clock in the afternoon. Advancing further, they captured seven German officers walking in La Folie Wood, and penetrated to the depths of the wood. An officer rode up to a cottage used as the German Divisional Headquarters, poured revolver shots through a window, and'rode back. Another squadron took Cantaing at tho gallop, ono party direct and two others riding round the flanks. They continued towards Fontaine Notre Dame, which was then strongly defended. Other squadrons, riding in open country, were constantly meeting machine-gun fire and taking prisoner small bodies of tho enemy before they wero converted into a dismounted force including Hussars, for an attack on Bourlon Wood. ' ' A Canadian squadron was caught in a tight corner in the darkness and was practically surrounded ■in a sunkon road. Only five horses remained unhit. Aβ they had to cut their way oxit they stampeded the riderless horses in the direction of tho enemy in order to draw the machine firo and the troopers hurriedly escaped. They encountered and routed four parties of Germans before they reached safety.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. THE FRENCH SUCCESS ON THE MEUSE GAINS COMPLETED BY CAPTURE OP STRONG POSITION . , . ,„„ London, November 27. A French official communique states: "Wo earned out a successful local operation last evening, north of Hill 344, east of tho Meuso, and reduced an enemy strong point, fully completing tho gains obtained on November 25 "— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Routor. (Rcc. November 29, 0.5 a.m.) „. • i a- i i ,mn London, November 28 A French official communique states: "Thoro is vigorous artillery activity in tho Juvincourt district and tho Bois lo Chaumo front."—Aus.-N.Z. Cnblo Assn.-Reuter. GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT (Rec. November 28, 8.45 p.m.) „, . , , t . „,,„ ■ London, November 27. A German official roport states: J hero is most violent artillery activity between Hoiithulst Wood and Zandyoorde. Activity has increased' botweon Samogneux ad Beaumont, astride tho Ornes."-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.--RcutGr. (Rec. November 29, 0.5 a.m.) London, November '8 A Gorman official report states: "Strong English atacks botweon Bourlon and Fontaine Notre Damo failed. Bitter looal engagements are in progress " ■-AUS.-N.Z. Cable Aen.-Beutw. b