FIGHT FOR BOURLON CONTINUES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 57, 30 November 1917, Page 5

FIGHT FOR BOURLON CONTINUES

BRITISH WITHDRAW FROM FONTAINE BOURLON WOOD FIRMLY HELD • * ■ London, November 28. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—"There was hostile artillery action last night in the neighbourhood of Bourlon Wood, with further infantry action. There has been hostile.artillery work enst and north-east of Ypres."—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.-Bouter. -■'■•■■ (Rec. November 29, 10.10 p.m.) ■ _ London, November 28. . Sir Douglas Haig reports :—"There is nothing special to report on the Cambrai battlefront. We repulsed two raids in the vicinity of Avion. The enemy's artillery is active on the Ypres front."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reu-ter. SANGUINARY FIGHTING NEAR FONTAINE (> TWO NEW GERMAN DIVISION S THROWN INTO THE ' SHAMBLES. London, November 28. Renter's correspondent at Headquarters, writing on Tuesday, says:— "There has been the bitterest fighting near Fontaine , since this morning. .Covered by - a heavy bombardment, which was maintained during tho entire forenoon, the British fought their way right through tho village, in tho face of the heaviest rifle and machine-gun fire. They sent back over 500 prisoners, who were captured in fortified houses and strong points. The Germans later in the morning counter-attacked with two new divisions. _ Under tho weight of overwhelming numbers, wo slowly relinquished our footing in Fontaine. It is not clear whether we retain any portion of tho ruins, but it is now certain that the Germans have reorganised the defences with fresh troops. We still hold tho high ground, and havo a groat tactical advantago, although tho enemy's stiffer rosistance means desperate fighting. The weather remains abominable."—Reuter. Bourlon Wood Secure. The United Press Agency representative at Headquarters sts+es:—"Following a futile attack against the British position at Tadpolo Copse, south of Inchy, the enemy shelled Bourlon Wood, Anneux, Graincourt, nnd Demicourt all through the night, but tho position was little changed. Some posts were established north-west of Bullccourt in the Hindenburg advance line. Our line is apparently westward of Fontaine, but Bourlon Wood is secure."-

Bitter Wintor Weather. Mr. Philip Gibbs writes:—"Tho weather has turned bitterly cold, and the- men and animals are- suffering from .exposure to tho savago cutting wind in a wido stretch of shelterless country. Tho army has moved forward beyond tho standing habitations and ordinary comforts. It has loft behind it tho whole stretch of tho Somme battlefield, where the villages aro rubbish heaps, and only graveyards and signboards indicate tho positions of Pozieres, Combles, and Guillcmont. Otherwise,, it is a wild waste of desolation, haunted with hidden horrors."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. CAPTURE OF THE HINDENBURG TUNNEL ELABORATE SYSTEM OF GERMAN FUNK-HOLES. (Rec. November 29, 7.45 p.m.) Paris, November 23. Tlie capture of tho Hindenburg tunnel ig now practically complete. Investigations show that it is thirteen miles in length, nt a depth of forty feet. Mines wero sown throughout its length. These had been arranged to oxplode by means of switches. Fortunately tho British electricians discovered and cut flio wire. Vast stores of food and tobacco havo already been discovered. Tho dug-outs were luxuriously furnished, the -whole being electrically lighted and fitted with exits every twenty-five yards.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE GERMAN REPORT London, November 28. A German official message states: —"English tanks and infantry attacking west of Bourlon collapsed. Wβ temporarily lost Bourlon and Fontaine, but recaptured the villages and threw tho enemy hack into Bourlon Wood." —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. GERMANS SEVERELY HANDLED AT JUVINCOURT REPORT OF FRENCH SUCCES S CONFIRMED. London, November 28. A French official communiquo states:—"lt is confirmed that our attack on November 21, south of Juvincourt, cost the enemy very serious losses." —Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. . ({ [The French official communique relating to the operations at Juvincourt stated:—West of the River La Miette, we attacked and penetrated tho German salient south of Juvincourt on about three-quarters of a mile of front, to an average depth of about four hundred yards." We attained all our objectives, carrying strong defences.—The River La Miette is a small tributary of the Aisne, and flows southwards about five miles east of Craonne. Juvincourt is fourteen miles north-west of Reims.] (Rec. November 29, 10.30 p.m.) London, November £8. A French official communique reports artillery actions on various sec-tors.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. SITUATION REVIEWED BY HIGH MILITARY AUTHORITY NO FIXED OBJECTIVES FOR OUR COUNTER-BLOW. (Rec. November 29, 8.40 p.m.) London, November 28. A high British military authority, reviewing the position, says:—"The fight at Cambrai was a successful experiment. The enemy was forced to employ 50 per cent, more divisions than wo did; hence we are entitled to class the battle as a great success. A word of caution is necessary about the loose talk regarding breaking through, and the loss of Cambrai. There were no definite objectives in this m ove. Wβ intended to go as far as posBible, and established ourselves a good deal farther'than Sir Douglas Haig expected. Wβ did not employ large m asses of troops, hence there is no justification for the loose talk about us taking credit for hastening the Italian recovery, the crisis being now definitely passed. The recovery was due solely to the Italian Army, which chocked the enemy before the arrival of Allied assistance. The Germans went to Italy because Austria was shaky, and wanted help, not to make a great attack. If it had heen intended to make a great attack they_ would have Lrought more troops to exploit their success. There is no sign of any great German reinforcements, becauso she is clearly unable to send them." Referring to the operations in Palestine, he says:—"Probably Jerusalem will not fall without another battle, for which we have to get an army together, and bring up fresh troops, guns, and supplies.—Reuter.