HALF THE PRISONERS WOUNDED

Evening Post, Volume xciv, Issue 73, 24 September 1917, Page 7

HALF THE PRISONERS WOUNDED

{ADSTKAI.IAN-NETT ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.) LONDON, 22nd September.

Mr. Philip Cibbs says: "Yesterday's attack proved that the new German method of holding the lines lightly in blockhouses, with reser.vw behind for cpunter-atucks, has broken down, If the,,

Germans revert to the old system of strong front line's they will suffer as they suffered |on the Somme. The reserve German' divisions which, were brought up had a dreadful time. The counterattacks were particularly fierce against' the Highlanders on- tha Zonnebeke-road. On the Australians' left the Highlanders were driven back for a while, but the Scottish rifle-fire broke every attack of the German storm ti-oops. Six times the latter .came on with much determination, and six times their waves were broken. Finally three German battalions drove against the Highlanders at Delva Farm and Rose House. The Highlanders rallied at eight o'clock, and swept the Germans out and away," ■ i Mr. Gibbs emphasises the fearful hammering inflicted ""by the British bombardment. At least 50 per cent, of the German prisoners were wounded. Many of the Germans around Polygon Wood and Glencorse Copse were buried in shell-holes between the . blockhouses. The blockhouses themselves were smashed up or so battered (that the garrisons were dazed and demoralised.