A GAUGE OF GERMAN POWER

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 137, 9 June 1917, Page 8

A GAUGE OF GERMAN POWER

SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S COMMENT

INTRICATE AND ELABORATE

DEFENCES.

(ADS. AND N.Z. CAIIK ASSN. AND REBTER.) (Received June 9, 2.30 p.m.)

LONDON, Bth June.

Sir Douglas Haig reports: "The position captured yesterday is ono of the most, important enemy strongholds on the West front. It dominated the Ypres salient, giving the enemy complete observation. The Germans had neglected no precaution to render the position impregnable, and these conditions enabled the enemy to overlook all our preparations for the attack, and ho moved up reinforcements to meet us.

"The battle, therefore, will become a gauge of the Germans' ability to stop our advance under the most favourable conditions, when they possess every advantage of ground and preparation, and know that the attack is impending. The German forward defences consisted of. an elaborate and intricate system of well-wired trenches, and strong points forming a defensive belt over a mile in depth. Numerous farms and woods were thoroughly prepared for defence, with large numbers of machine-guns. The Germans brought increased numbers of guns of all calibres to bear not only on tho front but on the flanks of .the attack." There were numerous, communication trenches and switch lines, radiating _in all directions, amply provided with strongly constructed concrete dugouts and machine-gun emplacements designed to protect the garrison from the effects of our bombardment. The Germans omitted no precaution that could be provided by the incessant labour of years, guided by the experience of the defeats of the Somme, Arras, and Vimy Ridge. - Our troops,'in spite of these difficulties and disadvantages, carried out the first assault and subsequent attacks in almost exact accordance with the arranged timetable. Nineteen deep mines were exploded simultaneously at 3.10 in the morning, wrecking a largo portion of the front and support trenches, including, extensive dug-out and mining systems. Immediately upon the mine explosions, our guns opened, and infantry attacks earned the whole front lino system within a few minutes. "Our troops immediately pressed on up the western slopes of the Messines-' Wytschaete ridge, and within three hours stormed, the entire crestlino from south to northwards. Shortly afterwards the whole of Messines was captured; Wo also completed the capture of Wytschaeto village. Before midday, after hand-to-hand fighting, our troops, in the second stage of attack, pushed down the eastern elopes of the ridgo and advanced against a powerful line of rear defence*. Heavy

lighting occurred in a further series of fortified woods and strong points. Wo captured the village of Oostaverne, lying just to the westward of the centre of the line. Practically the whole of this trench system was in our hands by nightfall, and we had gained the whole of the day's objectives. Great numbers of German dead lying in captured positions proved the severity of the enemy's losses, a large proportion being borne by Bavarians. Our losses were light. The enemy at night did- not attempt to recover the lost positions. Following General Plumer's great care and the thoroughness of the preparations, the complete success, is chiefly ascribed to the destruction caused Wy the mines, the violence and accuracy of the bombardment, and the fine work of the Royal Flying Corps and incomparable dash and courage of the infantry. The whole force acted in perfect combination, and the tanks were excellent. Every means of offensive at our disposal was iised, and thus evey arm of the service had its share in the victory. ■We captured a German post last night north of Havrincourt Wood.