VICTORY IN GREAT CAMPAIGN

Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 112, 8 November 1917, Page 7

VICTORY IN GREAT CAMPAIGN

FROM MESSINES TO PASSCHENPAEE CANADIANS TAKE THE LAST CREST i (SI TBHHJRABH.—UNITED SBESS ASSOCIATION.—crfpTRIOHT.) I (AOSIEAUAN-KEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.) ! LONDON, 7th November. Mr. Philip Gibbs writes: "With thankfulness I c^n record .to-day what I believe will prove to be the capture of Pas'Scbendaele crest, the crown of the ridge which made the great barrier arouaid the Yprea salient £hat hemmed us ; in on the flats and swamps. The Canadians, after heroicaHy attacking jp the morning, fought their way through the ruins of Passchendaele into the ground \ beyond. If these gains can be held it will set the seal to the mogt terrific achievement of war ever attempted to be carried through by British armß. Only i we who have been out here can know .the valour and the sacrifices which carried the waves of our men up $he slopes in the battles of the campaign which commenced with Messines and culminated in Fasschendassle, Only we understand the meaning of to-day's battle, and thrill because it means victory. "Over tliis ground the young manhood of Germany has spent itself. It was not worthless ground in. which they suffered agonies, fought .desperately, and came on again in massed counter-attacks that were swept to pieces by our fire. 'Passchendaele must bo held at all costs; if lost, it mnst be regained at all costs.' This was their cry. But it seems likely that the enemy has definitely lost Passchendaele. The Canadians had more luck than the English, Australians, and New Zealanders, who fought up the slope in their heroic endeavour. . Nobody begrudges the Canadians the honour they have gained, not easily, but at the usual price of victory—some men's death, atnd.many men's pain."-' J